Principal Planner

Salary: $99,694.40 - $139,568.00 Annually
Location : Community Development Planning - Minden, NV
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26/27-00027
Department: Community Development
Division: Community Dev. Planning
Opening Date: 08/18/2026
Closing Date: 10/17/2026 4:00 PM Pacific


DESCRIPTION
**Applications are reviewed regularly. Postings may close prior to the listed date. Individuals are encouraged to apply immediately.**

Join a team dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Douglas County. Responsible for protecting the public health, safety, and general welfare of residents and property owners by reviewing development proposals to ensure code compliance, the Planning Division of Douglas County Community Development plays a crucial role in achieving the objectives of the Douglas County Master Plan. In addition to performing these duties and leading a team that provides assistance and information to the public in matters relating to planning, zoning, permit review, and County regulations, the Principal Planner role is also responsible for representing and speaking for the County at meetings as well as on regional boards, groups, and programs. This role requires someone with a strong foundation in professional planning, a critical thinker who understands the unique demands and challenges of zoning and land use within Douglas County, and someone capable of leading a successful and collaborative team in navigating the entitlement process of the County while balancing the needs of our community,
Current AICP certification is preferred but not required

**In addition to completing the application, the department has requested that you attach a resume and a cover letter describing your experience in professional planning and illustrating the value that your experience will bring to the unique conditions of Douglas County.**

Primary Objectives
Performs complex work under general direction of the Deputy Director of Community Development, responsible for supervising, coordinating and directing the County's planning and zoning functions; serving as liaison to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), Towns, General Improvement Districts (GID), and other agencies in regard to development processes; performs related tasks as apparent or assigned.

Supervision Exercised
Supervision is exercised over assigned department personnel.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Supervises and directs the activities of assigned staff; coordinates, prioritizes and assigns tasks and projects; tracks and reviews work progress and activities; assists with the recruitment and selection of staff; undertakes disciplinary action as required; conducts performance evaluations; ensures appropriate scheduling of staff to ensure proper operational coverage.
2. Develops and implements goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for the division.
3. Receives and processes various applications such as; variances, rezoning, specific plan amendments, area plan amendments, master plan amendments, subdivision maps, annexations, special use permits, and regulation items.
4. Develops and provides staff report and related materials for presentation on a proposed project to the County Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners.
5. Provides technical and professional planning services to achieve consistent and controlled growth in the County; assures project plans are in conformance to County goals, and in compliance with local, state and Federal codes and regulations.
6. Reviews and evaluates project designs, plans, technical documents for compliance with County standards and regulatory requirements; reviews land development proposals and planning and zoning changes; meets with and advises developers regarding development applications and processes; explains purposes, regulations and procedures of accepted development practices; suggests alternatives for an improved design.
7. Answers inquiries and assists the public and other agencies in matters relating to planning, zoning and permit review, and other County standards and regulations; provides information within scope of authority; represents and speaks for the County at meetings and on various regional boards, groups and programs, such as the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA); provides advice related to planning and development to the Board of Commissioners, the County Manager, County Planning Commission, and other County departments. Incumbent may sit as the County representative on the TRPA Advisory Planning Commission.
8. Oversees the development review process, coordinating with team members from other divisions and departments; reviews and processes a variety of applications, permits and plans; reviews development plans with developers, builders, utility companies, and other County departments; provides reports and findings to the Deputy Director of Community Development; oversees the Genoa Historic District Commission; provides reports on planning, zoning and development matters for presentation to the County Planning Commission and County Board of Commissioners.
9. Manages special projects as assigned; conducts research and analysis on permits, plans, rules and regulations; oversees the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
10. Coordinates with various regional government organizations, community groups, and state and Federal agencies; attends public meetings and coordinates discussions on regional planning and zoning issues.
11. Initiates, formulates, and recommends planning and development related ordinances, programs, policies, and plans relative to current and long range plans including County Master Plan updates, open space plans, and special studies on housing, population, transportation, and water; monitors and reviews trends in County and regional planning issues; researches and interprets laws, regulations, and general information.
12. Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the unit's service to its customers by offering suggestions and directing or participating as an active member of a work team.
13. Represents the County with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and the public.
14. Contributes effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives, and activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Land Use Planning, Environmental Studies, Public Administration or a closely related field and five (5) years of experience in professional level planning; two (2) years of which were in a supervisory role; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES

• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification preferred

WORKING CONDITIONS/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

WORKING CONDITIONS
The characteristics listed below are representative of the physical demands, physical agility, sensory requirements, and environmental exposures required by an individual to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force.
• Work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands; occasionally requires standing, walking and repetitive motions.
• Work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to receive detailed information through oral communication and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).
• Work has no exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

1. Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
2. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background/screening.
3. Douglas County participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered employment must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made.
4. This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of the incumbent. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

Douglas County provides benefits to full-time employees. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees working 20-29 hours per week. Part-time employees working 19 hours or less, as well as on-call employees, are not eligible for benefits.


No Nevada State income tax.

Retirement - Public Employees' Retirement System of Nevada (PERS)
Douglas County contributes 36.75% of an eligible regular member and 50% of an eligible Police and Fire member's salary for retirement.


Deferred Compensation Plans - Employees have the option to participate in a deferred compensation program through , which is funded by the employee.


Employee Perks

• Vacation : Accrued at the rate of 4.6154 hours per pay period, or 120 hours per year (increase with years of service).
• Sick Leave : Earned at the rate of 3.6923 hours per pay period, or 96 hours per year.
• Holidays : 12 paid holidays per year.
• Employee Recognition Programs
• Annual Gym Membership
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition Reimbursement Programs

Health Insurance
As a Douglas County employee, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package with several medical plan options, plus dental and vision coverage, life insurance, and disability insurance. Benefits start on the first of the month after a 30-day waiting period. To learn more about our health insurance and employee benefits, please visit our


Compensation
Douglas County uses a Pay for Performance compensation system, where employees receive annual performance evaluations and may be eligible for merit-based salary increases. Qualified employees can earn up to a 3% merit increase on their anniversary date, and may also receive an annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) during the first pay period of each fiscal year, based on the Consumer Price Index, up to a maximum of 5%. In addition, eligible employees who demonstrate exceptional, above-and-beyond performance may receive further compensation through the County's Recognition of Excellence Program.
01


What is your highest level of completed education?

• High School or GED
• Vocational Certification
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or Higher
• None of the Above

02


If you indicated a degree above, what was the major?

• Land Use Planning
• Environmental Studies
• Public Administration
• Other Closely Related Field
• None of the Above
• No Degree

03


If you selected "A Closely Related Field" above, what was your major?
04


Do you currently possess American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification?

• Yes
• No

05


How many years of experience do you possess in professional level planning?

• No experience
• Less than 4 years
• 4 years
• 5 years
• 6 years
• 7 years
• 8 or more years

06


How many years of the experience listed above was in a supervisory role directing, overseeing, and reviewing the work of others?

• No experience
• Less than 2 years
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 or more years

07


Do you have experience using any of the following programs? Indicate all that apply.

• Opal
• Bluebeam
• OnBase

08


Briefly describe your experience of reviewing and evaluating project designs, plans, and technical documents for compliance with relevant standards and regulatory requirements.
09


Briefly describe your experience of developing and providing staff reports and related materials for and making presentations to public boards and/or commissions.
10


Briefly describe your experience, if any, in initiating, formulating, and recommending ordinances, programs, policies, and plans related to planning and development.
11


Briefly describe why you are interested in the Principal Planner position with Douglas County Community Development.
12


In addition to completing the application, did you attach a resume and a cover letter describing your experience in professional planning and illustrating the value that your experience will bring to the unique conditions in Douglas County?

• Yes
• No

13


Douglas County requires applicants to list all work history from your most current employment to 10 years back. If relevant experience is over 10 years please list it on your application. ***Writing "See Resume" on the application in place of completing your information is not acceptable.***Have you listed your current employment through 10 years of work history on your application in addition to listing any relevant experience that exceeds 10 years?

• Yes, I have listed all work history from most current to 10 years back.
• I do not have 10 years of work history, but I have included all employment history.
• I have relevant experience that exceeds 10 years, and I have included the experience on my application.
• No, I have not listed all work history from most current to 10 years back.

14


Are you able to perform the primary duties and responsibilities of the job listed on the job description with or without a reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

15


Douglas County employees are required to uphold the County's Values and are evaluated based upon these Values. MISSION STATEMENT Working together with integrity and accountability, the Douglas County team is dedicated to providing essential and cost-effective public services fostering a safe, healthy, scenic, and vibrant community for the enjoyment of our residents and visitors. VALUES STATEMENT Integrity - We demonstrate honest and ethical conduct through our actions. Accountability - We accept responsibility for our actions. Customer Service - We deliver efficient and effective service with an attitude of respect and fairness. Leadership - We establish the tone and direction for success motivating and inspiring others to accomplish a shared vision. Communication - We ensure open dialogue through proactive listening and sharing of information throughout the organization and the community. Teamwork - We work together to achieve shared goals.Respect - We will treat all citizens, employees, and visitors with respect.Do you understand Douglas County's Mission and Values Statement and will you be able to uphold them if hired?

• Yes
• No

Required Question