Senior Planner (Land Conservation)

Albemarle County; Charlottesville (VA); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12 paid holidays

Paid vacation and sick leave

Health insurance options

Employer-paid life insurance

VRS retirement

Continuing education and training

Job summary

Albemarle County is seeking a Senior Planner I/II for the Land Conservation function within the Department of Community Development. This exempt, full-time role engages in complex planning work, policy updates, and coordination with multiple agencies to advance development and conservation objectives.

The position supports engagement with the public and stakeholders, manages high-visibility projects, and requires a strong background in urban and rural planning and GIS tools.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in planning, architecture, landscape architecture, natural resources/conservation or a related field.
• Four (4) years of relevant professional planning work and project management experience (Two (2) years for Senior Planner I).
• Equivalent combination of experience and training acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate, review, or manage complex applications and projects.
• Lead reviewer for site development plans, subdivisions, zoning amendments, and other applications.
• Prepare technical reports and presentations for public and elected officials.
• Support county policy updates including zoning, comprehensive plans, and resource plans.
• Represent the County in meetings with the public, developers, and other agencies.
• Provide technical guidance on development review processes and regulations.

Skills

Project management

Public engagement

Leadership

Policy analysis

Oral/written presentation

GIS data interpretation

Education

Master’s degree in planning/related field

Tools

ESRI GIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Senior Planner I/II (Land Conservation) Department of Community Development

Full-Time, 12 Months

Exempt, Pay Grade 33/34

VRS-Eligible, Benefits-Eligible

• Please note: This position may be filled as a Senior Planner I or Senior Planner II based on experience.

Job Summary/ Objective

Performs work of moderate to high complexity primarily in the functional area of Land Conservation. (May work in other functional areas such as long-range planning, transportation planning, zoning, development review, natural and cultural resource management, and/or historic preservation). Position requires frequent contact with the public, developers, officials, and other internal customers including divisions within Community Development, and other governmental & quasi-governmental agencies. Manages or assists projects of significant scale and visibility in collaboration with other County departments, including policy and code updates.

Essential Functions

• Coordinates, reviews, or manages applications and projects of moderate to high complexity;
• Lead reviewer and contact for site development plans, subdivision plats, special use permits, zoning map amendments, special exceptions, easement proposals, wireless communication towers, and other application types
• Coordinates application review across the department and partner agencies
• Prepares and delivers technical reports and presentations to the public and elected officials
• Leads or assists with County policy updates, including the Zoning Ordinance, Comprehensive Plan, Area Plans, and Resource Plans
• Provides support to, or leadership for, appointed committees, boards, and authorities
• Interprets applicable County regulations, including zoning and subdivision regulations, in order to provide accurate feedback to applicants
• Researches and analyzes the physical, social and economic impacts of proposed development projects, policies, or plans and develops appropriate recommendations
• Represents the County in various public meetings, ranging from neighborhood meetings to Board and Commission meetings
• Coordinates meetings with developers, the public, and Staff in the development review or planning process
• Provides technical assistance, guidance, and information to the public, land developers, design professionals, associates, boards/commissions and other governmental agencies regarding the development review process, County regulations, long-range planning, application procedures and processing, and related issues
• Researches and analyzes information from the following sources to develop appropriate recommendations and guidance on applications and other project initiatives:
• Input from community members,
• Input from internal and external reviewing authorities,
• Demographics, physical, social, and economic impacts,
• Urban and rural land-use patterns,
• Geographic data using GIS software such as ArcPro,
• Comprehensive plan recommendations,
• Impacts on cultural, historic, and natural resources,
• Urban design,
• Site visits, and
• Infrastructure impacts and considerations.
• Analyzes demographic information; summarizes and presents information and trends; updates databases; creates graphic representations of data, plans, diagrams, maps, design concepts, and processes; and creates graphic layout and text for templates, reports, presentations, and other related work products
• Assists with or designs, coordinates, and presents information and activities for community engagement events, both in-person and virtual
• Assists in development of policies for functional areas (including but not limited to Master Plan updates, Housing, Transportation Planning, Historic Preservation, and Natural Resources)
• Makes recommendations for improving functions and effectiveness of essential programs

Competency: Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of urban and rural planning
• Comprehensive knowledge of pertinent local, Federal and State laws and related regulations
• Proficient with independent research, analysis and formulation of recommendations
• Strong leadership, problem-solving and decision-making skills required
• Coordinate the review of complex projects and ability to clearly and thoroughly present the results effectively in oral, written and graphic form, even under adversarial conditions
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, subordinates, County officials, representatives of other agencies and members of the general public
• Independently manage complex projects and/or provide support to project managers
• Review proposals for compliance with regulations and guidelines; for example, subdivision plats and site plans for compliance with subdivision and zoning ordinances.

Required Education And Experience

• Master’s degree with a major in planning, architecture, landscape architecture, natural resources/conservation or a related field
• Four (4) years of relevant professional planning work and project management experience (Two (2) years of experience for Senior Planner I)
• OR any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities
• Computer experience necessary:
• Proficiency with Microsoft office suite
• ESRI products and/or navigating GIS web
• Some experience and ability to use spreadsheets and databases.
• Possession of a valid appropriate driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia preferred.

Preferred Qualifications/Certifications

• AICP preferred.

Physical And Mental Requirements

• Typically involves walking/standing in an office environment to meet public, give presentations, work with other departments, and retrieving files.
• Site visits may involve walking in fairly rugged terrain.
• Site visits may be required during adverse weather conditions.
• Field work and site visits require spatial interpretation, judging heights, distances, slopes and the like.
• Involves light lifting up to 30 pounds.
• Other physical activities including use of computers and motor vehicle operation.
• Frequent and regular contacts made at all levels of county staff and the general public.
• Communication may require diplomacy, persuasion and tact, including conflict resolution under adversarial conditions.
• Attend and present at meetings both during and outside of normal business hours.

Remote Work

This position is eligible for a hybrid remote work schedule that is in compliance with the County’s Remote Work Policy and meets the operational and service needs for the position. All County staff must maintain residence within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Salary Range

The hiring range for the Senior Planner II position is approx. $80,199.00 - $88,641.00 per year and for the Senior Planner I position is approx. $74,259,00 - $82,075.00 per year. Starting offer is based on applicable education beyond minimum requirements and internal equity. The position also provides excellent benefits including 12 paid holidays, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, VRS retirement, and continuing education/training opportunities. This is a full time, FLSA exempt position. Internal candidates will receive pay adjustments in accordance with Local Government Personnel Policy,

• P-60.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Position open until filled.

Virginia Values Veterans

Albemarle County is a certified V3 organization.

Eoe/Eeo

Albemarle County is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any group or individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age or disability in regard to any aspect of employment policy and practice: recruitment, testing, selection, assignment, pay, conditions of work, training, leave, overtime, promotion, discipline, demotion, and separation.