Planner II

Planner II

Goochland County is located in the heart of Central Virginia. Just over 289 square miles of rural countryside, our County is home to just over 26,000 residents and is ideally located within a short drive to beaches or mountain tops. We have great proximity to major cities including Charlottesville and Richmond. Our quality of life is unsurpassed, and our active community welcomes one and all. A community rich in history, the Goochland County Courthouse is widely considered to be the most well-maintained Jeffersonian courthouse in Virginia. Goochland County is the smallest county in the United States to have earned the highest rating from all three credit rating agencies which reflects the County's exceptional financial resilience and is home to an award-winning public-school system.

Description

The Planner II will work closely with the public and perform advanced professional planning work with a strong focus on subdivision review, land development, and ordinance administration. This role is responsible for enforcing the County's Subdivision Ordinance, reviewing development proposals for compliance with County codes, and providing technical guidance to citizens, developers, engineers, and County leadership with tact and professionalism. The position requires independent judgment, strong analytical skills, and the ability to clearly present findings and recommendations to boards, committees, and the public. The Planner II serves as a senior technical member of the Planning and Zoning Department and contributes to long-range planning efforts, ordinance updates, and complex land use analysis.

Essential Functions

Enforce the County's Subdivision Ordinance and other applicable land development regulations.

Meet with property owners, developers, surveyors, and design professionals to review subdivision concepts and provide technical guidance.

Evaluate subdivision applications, plats, and development proposals for compliance with zoning and subdivision standards.

Respond to public inquiries regarding subdivision regulations, zoning requirements, parcel division, and land development processes.

Conduct field inspections to verify site conditions and compliance with approved plans.

Review and approve boundary line adjustments, family divisions, and other subdivision-related applications.

Review building permits, plats, site plans, and other development applications for zoning and subdivision compliance.

Prepare technical reports, staff analyses, and written recommendations for County Administration, Planning Commission, and Board of Supervisors.

Assist with the draft of ordinance amendments and code updates related to subdivision, zoning, and development processes.

Present information at public meetings, workshops, and hearings; respond to questions and provide professional recommendations.

Assist with updates to the Comprehensive Plan, planning studies, and departmental procedures.

Maintain accurate records, files, correspondence, and case documentation.

Coordinate land development matters with other County departments and state agencies, including Public Utilities, Building Inspections, VDH, VDOT, DEQ, and the County Attorney's Office.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Strong customer service skills with the ability to handle inquiries with tact and professionalism.

Comprehensive knowledge of zoning regulations, subdivision laws, and land development processes.

Thorough understanding of planning principles, practices, and procedures.

Ability to interpret, enforce, and explain ordinances with fairness, consistency, and professionalism.

Knowledge of legal processes related to ordinance enforcement, public notice, and land use review.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to prepare reports and make presentations.

Ability to read and interpret plats, surveys, deeds, site plans, and engineering drawings.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage complex projects and multiple deadlines.

Strong understanding of GIS, permitting software, and Microsoft Office applications.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with citizens, developers, attorneys, engineers, County officials, and coworkers.

Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and provide clear technical guidance.

Education, Experience and Training

Bachelor's degree in urban or regional planning, Geography, Public Policy, Environmental Studies, or a related field.

At least five (5) years of progressive professional planning experience, preferably in local government.

Master's degree in urban planning, public administration, or a related field may substitute for some experience.

Certified Zoning Administrator (CZA) required within two years of employment.

AICP Candidate or certification eligibility preferred.

Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. The essential duties of this classification may require the ability to regularly work with one's fingers, grasp, talk, hear, see, and use repetitive motions; frequently walk and reach; and occasionally stand, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, lift, push, and pull. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties, this classification is considered to be light work, exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

As part of employment with Goochland County, all employees are required to complete Emergency preparedness and incident management training courses as directed or requested.

Goochland County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, color, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, family medical history or genetic information, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status that is protected by federal, state or local laws.