Virginia Tech School of Public and International Affairs

Are you passionate about shaping the future of a diverse, growing and vibrant community? Prince William County Planning Office is seeking a Senior Planner, who is a highly motivated team player with strong planning skills, project management experience, excellent judgement, and an innovative mindset to tackle complex planning challenges. This is a position in the Current Planning division, which reviews and provides case management services for rezoning and special use permit applications from initial submission to preparing reports that include staff recommendations for presentation to the Planning Commission through final action by the Board of County Supervisors regarding the application.

We are a continuous learning organization, providing no-cost access to training and career development opportunities. We offer comprehensive, affordable health care options and other benefits to include:

About This Role:

The Senior Planner works under general supervision and exercise a high level of discretion and independent judgment in performing the full range of routine to complex responsibilities spanning the entire spectrum of the planning function and exercising primary responsibility for the formulation, design, conduct, and completion of major or specialized County planning projects or services. The incumbent also provides recommendations to the Planning Director, Planning Commission, and the Board of County Supervisors, negotiates on behalf of the County, and provides staff support to local and regional boards, committees, and commissions. You will work as a senior member on an 11-person Current Planning team under the supervision of the Current Planning manager.

Routine tasks in this role include:

Reviewing and preparing reports for land development applications as part of the land entitlement process.   

Research and develop reports that evaluate public and private projects involving the full range of land uses in the County (residential, commercial, industrial, etc.); verify the accuracy of applications; evaluate consistency with plans and policies of the County region.

Presenting to a range of small and large audiences, and the ability to explain complex concepts in a clear and engaging manner.

Production of Staff Reports and Memoranda.

Compliance with time-sensitive deadlines.

Represent the agency at regularly scheduled public meetings, some of which may take place outside normal work hours.

Minimum Requirements: 

High school diploma or G.E.D. and 6 years of experience and/or education related to professional planning experience with interpreting/administering current planning regulations, and/or project management for large projects.

Preferences:

Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Management, Public Administration, Urban Management, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Geography, or related field

AICP certification is preferred

Knowledge of the practices, theories, methods, and objectives of local and regional planning, research techniques and methods, drafting and engineering designs

Experience working with land use applications that involve rezonings and special use permits

Experience working independently and leading teams

Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to prepare accurate and concise reports and to present data in an effective manner

Direct experience in local government and communicating with policymakers, senior level managers, interdepartmental staff, and intergovernmental entities

Experience with technical writing, presenting, facilitating, negotiating, explaining planning terms and processes to constituents, and working as a team member

Be a self-starter with a demonstrated ability to work independently

Knowledge of zoning and development regulations and strong research skills

Special Requirements:

None

Work Schedule:

Full time with occasional evening Public Hearings.

Starting Salary Range: 

$76,069.50- $88,974.59