Planner

Planner Position

The Planner serves in a 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

• Respond to inquiries for subdivision requests, field questions on zoning requirements
• Compile, analyze and query complex data using spreadsheets, databases and geographic information systems
• Review, and coordinate the review by other agencies, of land use applications and plan applications
• Present reports to the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission, providing a recommendation for the Commission
• Recommend approval or denial of proposed plans
• Write development application reviews and comprehensive staff reports
• Review site plans and subdivision plats
• Conduct site inspections related to land development and confirm improvements are consistent with approved development plans
• Use permitting software to review, track, and process land use, zoning, and development applications and permits
• Use Geographic Information System (GIS) to generate maps
• Receive and respond to inquiries and complaints regarding planning policies and procedures; interpret a broad range of federal, state and local regulations, ordinances and policies
• Provide assistance to citizens; assist director and/or Planning & Zoning Services Manager as needed with updating comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance, and subdivision ordinance
• Conduct review of site plans, subdivision plans, sign permits, and zoning permits as needed
• Attend various meetings, which may occur outside of normal work hours
• 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
• Perform related tasks as required

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 with coursework in urban planning, or related field
• Experience: Considerable experience in planning
• 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

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of planning
• Thorough knowledge of economics, sociology and finances as applied to planning
• General knowledge of the County's subdivision and zoning ordinances
• General knowledge of current literature and recent developments in the field of planning
• Ability to analyze and systematically compile technical and statistical information and to prepare technical reports
• Ability to interpret various rules and regulations
• Ability to prepare and present technical information clearly
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, representatives of other public agencies and the general public

Working Conditions and Disclaimer

This work is sedentary and requires little to no exertion of force; worker is frequently sitting and occasionally requires walking, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel; work has no special vision requirements; 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, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office with typewriters and/or computer printers, light traffic).

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.

General Acknowledgement: The employee is expected to comply with all County policies and procedures and to consistently demonstrate adherence through their conduct. As a representative of Orange County, the employee is also expected to serve as a role model by upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in accordance with these policies.

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.