Senior Principal Planner

General Statement of Duties

Manages staff and professional planning activities in a major Planning Division such as Comprehensive Planning, Development Review and Design or Zoning Administration; does related work as required.

Closing Date: This position closes on Friday, May 15, 2026.

Essential Duties

Leads the Comprehensive Planning Division of the Planning Department, which manages the administration, implementation, maintenance and amendments to the County Comprehensive Plan, as adopted by the Board of Supervisors, including the Land Use and Major Thoroughfare Plans, Substantially in Accord findings, and small areas studies.
This position also oversees a team of four GIS specialists and technicians, and the county's Street Naming and Property Numbering Program.
Provides high-level professional guidance on complex planning, legal, and development matters related to the Comprehensive Plan, rezonings and provisional use permits, county development procedures and policies, and zoning and subdivision regulations.
Advises the public, County Manager, department heads, elected and appointed officials on land use matters. Extensive interaction with internal and external stakeholders
requires consistently high performance under pressure.
Serves as Acting Director of Planning in the absence of the Director and the Assistant Director.
Prepares staff report packets and prepares legal notifications and records mandated by the County Code and Code of Virginia for monthly Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors public hearings
Prepares and presents plans, reports and legislation items at public hearings before the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.
Engages with citizens, civic organizations, and interest groups to share information, gather input and encourage public participation in the planning process.
Serves as project manager for staff and consultants on high profile, complex projects assigned by the Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors, or County Manager's Office, including committee participation and preparation of County position papers.
Prepares and administers the division's annual work program; monitors progress toward division goals, prepares budget requests and work indicators, and implements organizational and operational improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
Performs related work as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree in urban planning or other relevant field and six (6) years of increasingly responsible and complex professional planning experience with minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience, preferably at a middle manager or above level; OR any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Additional Information

Knowledge of GIS is preferred.
Requires possession of a valid driver's license.
May require additional certifications such as the AICP Certification based on area of assignment.
A criminal history record check and fingerprinting is conducted on all persons conditionally offered employment, including a conditional offer of initial employment, or a conditional offer to promote, demote, or laterally transfer an employee.