Planner

Salary: $62,046.40 - $124,342.40 Annually

Location : Stafford County, VA

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 03948

Department: Planning and Zoning

Opening Date: 11/21/2025

Starting Salary: $62,046.40 to $104,561.60 based on experience

Job Description

If you are a Planning professional seeking a position where you can work with the public and other local/regional stakeholders to have a direct impact on the future of the community, we have an exciting opportunity to serve as Planner for the Stafford County Planning and Zoning Department.

This is a dynamic role that is challenging and rewarding, and the skills you will develop in the position provide a good foundation for future career growth. A few aspects of the position include:

Assisting with the development of the Comprehensive Plan, the County's 20-year outlook on growth and sustainability.

Improving the community by applying your academic and professional knowledge.

Expanding your professional network and diversifying your skillset by collaborating with numerous County and regional agencies.

Evaluating specific development projects for their community impacts and merits.

Presenting information to the public and elected/appointed officials.

Utilizing numerous software programs for mapping, analysis, and graphics. The position requires excellent organizational, writing, presentation, and management skills. The ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships is critical as the role will work directly applicants, engineers, citizens, and other stakeholders. The successful candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment and brings a blend of experience and knowledge in project management, public engagement, interpretation and application of code requirements and best practices, and preparation/presentation of reports. The candidate must be available to work occasional evening hours to attend meetings.

There are three levels to this position and the hiring ranges for each based on experience are:

Planner I - $62,046.40 to $85,321.60

Planner II - $71,052.80 to $97,697.60

Planner III - $76,044.80 to $104,561.60

The full salary ranges to provide for growth and development are:

Planner I - $62,046.40 to $108,596.80

Planner II - $71,052.80 to $124,342.40

Planner III - $76,044.80 to $133,078.40

Examples of Duties

Performs or assists in the development of studies, analyses, and recommendations in connection with the current and long-range physical, social, and economic development of the County;

Gathers, selects, compiles, and analyzes data pertaining to characteristics of the area;

Analyzes and summarizes existing conditions, derives conclusions, and develops projections such as for population trends, highway needs, land use, etc.;

Manages and reviews complex subdivision and plan, site plans, and plat applications;

Manages and reviews complex applications for re-zoning, conditional use permits, and Comprehensive Plan Compliance reviews;

Assists with the development and implementation of the County Comprehensive Plan and other long range planning tasks, including proffer tracking and growth scenario modeling;

Prepares reports and supporting graphic display materials descriptive of research and recommendations;

Regularly interacts with internal and external customers with matters relating to comprehensive planning, site development, and application submittal and review;

Assists with the County Land Conservation Program;

Serves as staff assistant to various boards, commissions, and committees;

Prepares presentations and presents information in a public setting;

Acts as technical advisors, within field of specializations, to other planners with the department;

Assists with training of new personnel;

Provides direction to planning technicians and lower level planners;

Assists with the background research and planning involved in the implementation of any Board of Supervisors' future vision and/or strategic priorities;

Tracks the implementation of development proffers; and

Performs related tasks as required. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of urban planning;

General knowledge of land development and engineering practices;

General knowledge of economics, sociology and municipal finance as applied to urban planning;

General knowledge of State and Local code requirements;

General knowledge of Geographic Information Systems;

Some knowledge of current literatures and recent developments in the field of urban planning;

Ability to analyze and systematically compile technical and statistical information and to prepare technical reports;

Ability to prepare and present technical information clearly and in an interesting manner to lay groups and the public;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with professional colleagues, employees, and representatives of other public agencies;

Ability to plan and supervise the work of technical personnel.

Education and Experience

Planner I

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in urban planning or a related field, and 1 year of experience in professional planning work.

Planner II

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in urban planning or a related field, and 3 years of experience in professional planning work.

Planner III

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in urban planning or a related field, 5 years of experience in professional planning work, and 1 year of leadership experience or previous leadership/supervisory training is required. This may include completion of training courses focused on leadership or supervisory development. Possession of industry certifications issued by American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and/or Virginia Association of Zoning Officials (VAZO) preferred.

Please for our full-time benefits.

Note: All employees are required to have direct deposit of their bi-weekly paychecks into one or more financial institution(s) of their choice. Information must be presented at time of hire.

Proper Identification must be shown at time of hire in order to complete the necessary paperwork for compliance with the Immigration Control and Reform Act of 1986.