Planner II

About the position

Under general supervision, performs professional planning and land development review work for the County's Planning and Zoning Department. Reviews rezoning, special use, site plans, and plats for both residential and non-residential projects, and other development proposals to ensure compliance with relevant ordinances, standards, plans, policies, and the Comprehensive Plan. Assists in updates to the Comprehensive Plan and its implementation. Serves as a team member and/or team leader in self-directed work teams engaged in planning projects and or plan reviews. For public hearing involved cases, presents findings and recommendations to the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors and other commissions and committees, as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Reviews plats and site plans ensuring compliance with the County's land use ordinances and standards.
• Manages and reviews rezoning and special use applications and certificates of appropriateness for compliance with regulatory standards and the County Comprehensive Plan's goals and objectives.
• Prepares staff reports and memos and makes oral presentations summarizing relevant issues and recommends action to the Planning Commission, County Board of Supervisors, Historic Preservation Commission, and other commissions as warranted.
• Coordinates the review of applications by regulatory agencies to determine impacts on current and planned public services, infrastructure, and operations and recommends ways to mitigate any negative or adverse impacts.
• Assists in the update of the Comprehensive Plan and its implementation.
• Receives and responds to a variety of inquiries from the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, County staff, applicants, developers and real estate professionals, market researchers, and the general public.
• Serves as a team member in performing special studies and reports.
• Assists with writing land use policies and regulations for inclusion into ordinances and Comprehensive Plan; researches and prepares information on various planning-related topics.
• Participates in and/or assists in the support of various County and regional committees, as needed.
• Acts as a technical resource to Planning Technicians and assists in the orientation and training of Planner I positions.
• Performs a variety of administrative duties in support of assigned duties including setting up and maintaining files; preparing forms, handouts, and checklists, preparing correspondence, etc.
• Participates in training and continued education, reviews legislation, journals, and periodicals to remain abreast of the latest laws, trends in the market, and the latest techniques for skill enhancement.
• Meets with other staff members, departments, outside agencies, and community contacts to gather information necessary to help gain input to formulate a variety of County planning initiatives.
• Conducts internet and County intranet-based GIS analysis at minimum.
• Attends evening meetings as necessary.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning or closely related field.
• Three (3) years of experience in professional planning work.
• Must possess a valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver's license.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of land use planning, zoning, and land development.
• Knowledge of County zoning ordinances, VA State Code, standards, policies, and procedures pertaining to the review and approval of zoning and special use applications.
• Ability to use computer-driven word processing, spreadsheet, and file maintenance programs.
• Ability to read and interpret plans, applications, and regulations.
• Ability to apply the Code, ordinances, elements of the Comprehensive Plan, and other guidelines and regulations to applications for land development.
• Ability to explain orally and in writing the processes, recommendations, and interpretations of planning policies and practices.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to communicate effectively in a variety of technical and professional languages, including engineering, legal, zoning, and land development terminology.

Nice-to-haves

• A member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
• Virginia Association of Zoning Officials (VAZO) Certified Zoning Official.
• Familiarity and experience with ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Urban for planning-related applications.
• Visual content creation, urban design, and graphic design skills.
• Familiarity with both rural and urban planning.