Senior Planner

Salary : $71,574.00 - $74,465.00 Annually
Location : 400 South Main St, Blacksburg, VA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: Sr Planner 061926 FT
Department: Planning and Building
Division: Planning
Opening Date: 06/01/2026
Closing Date: 6/19/2026 5:00 PM Eastern


General Definition of Work
Performs intermediate professional work, including review and processing of current planning projects such as rezoning applications, conditional use permits, site plans, and plats. Work involves independent review of development applications, communication with the public, presenting to the Town Council and Planning Commission, and coordinating an interdisciplinary development review committee under the direction of the Assistant Director of Planning. Oversight is exercised over Planner I staff.
The Town of Blacksburg is an EEO Employer M/F/D/V

Essential Functions


To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Essential Functions

• Reviews development applications in the public and administrative process
• Leads the Development Review Committee, an interdepartmental staff committee
• Produces technical staff reports for public hearing items and technical review letters for administrative review items
• Facilitates public meeting and presents to Town Council and Planning Commission
• Reviews building permits for zoning compliance
• Advises applicants; prepares staff reports and comment letters; prepares meeting agendas and follow-up documents
• Responds to inquiries in regard to planning and zoning topics; researches answers to provide thorough information
• Serves on Town and regional committees and task forces as needed
• Reviews development projects of other jurisdictions
• Participates in planning events as directed
• Compiles year-end data with regard to total projects and target deadlines
• Supervises staff

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• General knowledge of the principles and practices of planning
• General knowledge of current literature and recent developments in the field of planning
• Ability to analyze and systematically compile technical and statistical information
• Ability to write staff reports
• Ability to prepare and present technical information clearly and in an easy-to-understand manner
• Ability to facilitate group
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with professional colleagues, employees, and representatives of other public agencies

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree with coursework in planning, urban development, geography, or related field and considerable experience working with complex land use issues
• Master's degree preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of experience preferred
• Supervisory experience preferred

Special Requirements

• AICP certification within two years of AICP eligibility
• Valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record

Physical Requirements

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force
• Work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel and occasionally requires standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms and repetitive motions
• Work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception and night vision
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, using of measuring devices and operating motor vehicles or equipment
• Work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic)

The Town of Blacksburg offers a wide range of benefits.
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