Senior Planner

Senior Planner

The Senior Planner serves in a leading professional position that is highly visible to the public and the elected officials and conducts key professional and technical work in policy development, interpreting ordinances and planning documents, development review, and positive public engagement. Work involves considerable public contact, occasionally regarding sensitive issues requiring judgement, firmness and tact. Position reports to the Planning & Zoning Services Manager in the Development Services Department.

Essential Job Functions

• Serves as primary Planning & Zoning Services resource for online, telephone, in-person, and e-mail inquiries regarding planning, zoning, subdivision, and other land use-related regulatory matters
• Interpret and administer the zoning and subdivision ordinances as well as the county's Comprehensive Plan
• Review site plans, subdivision plats, sign permits, and zoning permits as needed
• Conduct site inspections related to land development and confirm improvements are consistent with approved development plans.
• Analyze rezoning, special use permit, and special exception applications for completeness and assist the Planning & Zoning Services Manager and department director with the analysis and processing of these applications
• Present reports to the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission, provide a recommendation for the Commission
• Recommend approval or denial of proposed plans
• Write development application reviews and comprehensive staff reports
• Perform research and data collection and prepare reports on a variety of relevant topics including code amendments; maintain records, logs and other databases related to various topics and department activity
• Use permitting software to review, track, and process land use, zoning, and development applications and permits
• Use the county's geographic information system (GIS) to generate maps and to facilitate and enhance planning efforts
• Work frequently with other departments and outside agencies
• Attend regular bi-monthly Planning Commission meetings; attend Board of Supervisors and other meetings as needed, which may occur outside of normal work hours
• Maintain an awareness of new methods, trends and advances in the profession; read professional literature; maintain professional affiliations; attend workshops and training sessions as appropriate
• May be assigned project lead roles over various projects and other staff as needed
• Perform other relevant tasks as assigned

Note: This is not an exhaustive list of duties. The County reserves the right to modify job duties or assign additional responsibilities as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in planning, public administration, public policy, architecture or related field
• Experience: Five (5) years of professional experience, preferably in a governmental or planning-related capacity
• Certifications/Licenses: Valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver's license
• Other: Other equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered in meeting the minimum education and experience qualifications

Special Qualifications

• Acceptable driving record

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of current and long-range planning principles
• Knowledge of the foundation and principles of zoning
• Strong customer service skills
• Highly organized and detailed in their work ethic
• Considerable GIS skills.
• Strong analytical abilities; working knowledge of planning, zoning and evolving land-use principles
• Ability to function independently and as a team member
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office software, ESRI ArcGIS software, photo editing software and other typical planning-related software packages
• Comfort in making presentations and producing original reports; the
• Ability to interpret legal records
• Project management, maintaining interpersonal relationships
• Ability to patiently and calmly respond to differing viewpoints on a variety of topics are also necessary skills

Working Conditions and Disclaimer

Work is performed in a typical office environment and involves sitting, standing, walking and bending/crouching for extended periods of time. Applicants must be physically able to operate a variety of office machines, tools and equipment, such as a computer, printer, plotter, copy machine, etc., and possess the ability to exert moderate physical effort in light work which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of up to fifty (50) pounds. Occasional field work is required. Attendance at bi-monthly evening meetings is required.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees with this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications as required of employees assigned to this position.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Orange County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Orange County is an equal opportunity employer. Orange County does not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected class as established by law.