Principal Planner

Job Description:

Principal Planner

Description

Principal Planner

Department of Community Development

Full-Time, 12 months

Exempt, Pay Grade 35

VRS-Eligible, Benefits-Eligible

Job Summary/Objective:

The Principal Planner position undertakes assignments related to a full range of project management responsibilities in the Department. The primary focus of these responsibilities is to assist the Director and/or their supervisor in the management and implementation of policies of the Comprehensive Plan and/or the development review process. The Principal Planner is tasked with managing projects of the highest complexity that fall under the purview of the Community Development Department. This position requires frequent contact with a wide-range of stakeholders, including partner agencies, members of the public, the development community, the media, as well as appointed and elected officials.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Frequently manages and oversees the work of junior staff (Senior Planner II, Senior Planners, Planners, Community Development Assistants to assist Planning Managers).

Essential Functions:

• Oversees comprehensive and neighborhood planning projects, with emphasis on land use and community planning, and/or coordination of the Department’s functions in the site plan and subdivision review process;
• Responsible for research/analysis of highly complex community issues and plans of development and the development of recommendations;
• Manages review of development applications of the highest complexity that are submitted to the Community Development Department which have multiple stakeholders including developers, elected officials, and members of the public;
• Identifies funding opportunities for infrastructure planning and construction projects and leads or acts as backup to the planning manager throughout the grant application process ;
• Represents Albemarle County on inter-jurisdictional projects ;
• Represents the Community Development Department on County-wide special projects and initiatives;
• Serves as the representative for the Planning Division on departmental-wide special projects within the Community Development Department;
• Exercises a very high level of independence with minimal day-to-day oversight by their supervisor in the execution of their assignments;
• Charged with making management level decisions regarding assigned responsibilities as delegated by their supervisor as necessary or appropriate;
• Leads development of policies for functional areas such as Master Plan updates, Housing, Subdivision and Site Plan application review, Legislative applications ( Special Use Permits and Zoning Map Amendments, Transportation Planning, Historic Preservation, and Natural Resource planning;
• Explains clearly and provides guidance and/or technical assistance on development plans, processes, regulations, and topics related to long-range planning, conservation programs, and others, to community members, land developers, design professionals, associates, internal and external departments and agencies, appointed committees, and boards/ commissions;
• Manages projects or portions of larger projects, including developing project content, scoping projects, and managing external consultants;
• Regularly attends public meetings and conducts presentations to various stakeholders, including members of the community and elected and appointed officials;
• Addresses complex community and resident concerns;
• Serves as the staff liaison for County and regional Boards and Commissions, such as Community Advisory Committees, the Charlottesville/Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization; Natural Heritage Committee, Site Review Committee, etc.;
• Performs related work as required.

Competency: Knowledge/ Skills/Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of the philosophies, principles, practices and techniques of urban and rural planning as they pertain to the design and development of urban and rural areas, planning research, zoning and community development activities;
• Knowledge of planning best practices;
• Knowledge of state and federal funding opportunities preferred;
• Understanding of how to incorporate concepts of equity and social justice into planning best practices preferred;
• GIS preferred;
• Adobe Creative Suite preferred;
• Ability to coordinate and manage the review of complex projects by project teams and present the results effectively in oral, written and graphic form;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, subordinates, County officials, representatives of other agencies and members of the general public ;
• Ability to communicate processes and policies to the general public clearly and with empathy.

Required Education and Experience:

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in urban and/or regional planning and a minimum of six (6) years experience in professional planning work, OR, any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Possession of a valid appropriate driver's permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Preferred Qualifications/Certifications:

• AICP preferred.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Typically involves walking/standing in office environment to meet public, show displays, work with other departments and retrieve files ;
• Also involves light lifting and other physical activities including use of computers and motor vehicle operation (approximately once every one or two weeks ) ;
• Field reviews may involve walking in fairly rugged terrain ;
• Field work requires spatial interpretation, judging heights, distances, slopes and the like;
• Frequent and regular contacts made at all levels of county staff and the general public possibly requiring use of alternative approaches to influence outcome ;
• Communication is generally cooperative, but sometimes characterized by debate requiring diplomacy, persuasion and tact.

Remote Work:

This position is eligible for remote work. All County staff must maintain residence within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Salary Range:

The hiring range for this position is approx. $82,443 - $91,121 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 Monday, June 30, 2025.

Virginia Values Veterans:

Albemarle County is a Certified V3 organization.

EOE/EEO:

Albemarle County is an equal employment oppor tunit y 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 regards to any aspect of employment policy and practice: recruitment, testing, selection, assignment, pay, conditions of work, training, leave, overtime, promotion, discipline, demotion, and separation.