Planner
(May be filled as a Senior Planner)

Community Development Department

Full-Time, 12 Months

Non-Exempt, Pay Grade 15, VRS-Eligible, Benefits-Eligible

(Pay Grade 17 for Senior Planner)

Albemarle County is seeking to fill two planning positions. These positions may be filled as a Planner or Senior Planner, depending on the qualifications of the candidate. We currently need planners who will specialize in design focus or review focus.

The Planner performs as a responsible and professional team member. Performs professional work in the handling of a variety of assignments in the County's Department of Community Development; does related work as required.

THE DEPARTMENT – DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Why work for Albemarle County?

Albemarle County is one of the most desirable locations in Virginia and in the nation, with a wealth of cultural, historic and recreational amenities in a beautiful setting. From the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Trail to the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County offers a wide range of recreation and entertainment and a high quality of life. 

Albemarle County is a well-established and highly desirable destination for regional, national and international tourists. World Heritage sites, including Monticello and the University of Virginia, are here, along with the homes of Presidents Madison and Monroe. Large music, sports and other entertainment events are held at nearby John Paul Jones Arena, bringing visitors to fill its nearly 15,000 seats. Our community rounds out the visitor experience with a focus on local music, food, agritourism, wineries, breweries and cideries.

Albemarle has a strong Comprehensive Plan and a clear vision for the future. Albemarle envisions a community with:

• Abundant natural, rural resources and healthy ecosystems featuring a network of mountains, valleys, rivers, streams, forests, farms, and meadows
• Exceptional educational opportunities featuring the County’s public and private schools, college, and university
• Exceptionally active and vibrant Development Areas featuring livable neighborhoods with places to shop and worship
• A physical environment that supports healthy lifestyles featuring parks, greenways, and recreational areas
• A thriving economy featuring strong business and industry, the University of Virginia, and other governmental agencies
• Abundant historic, cultural and scenic resources featuring Monticello, the City of Charlottesville and the University of Virginia as partners in the community                                                                                  

Albemarle County is governed by an elected six-member Board of Supervisors. Management of the County is vested in a Board-appointed County Executive.  The Department of Community Development mission is to implement this vision for the future of Albemarle County through a proactive community planning effort that involves all stakeholders in a consensus building process and ensures that all new development reflects that community vision. Community Development strives to achieve a future community of quality development, protected natural resources, vital business activity, and livable, walkable neighborhoods.

The Department of Community Development (CDD) mission is to create a vision for the future of Albemarle County through a proactive community planning effort that involves all stakeholders in a consensus building process and ensures that all new development reflects the community's vision. Community Development strives to achieve a future community of quality development, protected natural resources, vital business activity, and livable, walkable neighborhoods.

The Planning Division, in which you would be a key player, is the largest component of the Community Development Department and is a driver in actions undertaken by the County Executive and the Board of Supervisors. We aim to achieve this vision by implementing place-based transportation and transit-oriented development, form-based and performance zoning, design templates, visual analysis and more.

Please consider applying if you:

• Are capable, innovative, and wish to be a player empowered to make this vision happen
• Have a diverse set of skills ranging from plan review to long range planning
• Want to be a part of a high-performance team serious about making a better tomorrow and eliminating the problems of yesterday, such as sprawl and environmental destruction
• Have skills or experience with urban design/visualization, site plan review, historic preservation, green/blue infrastructure, GIS, zoning, form-based and/or performance-based codes, code writing and/or enforcement

EXPECTATIONS

Key Expectations of a Design Focus

• Assist planning and management staff with administrative and clerical tasks
• Assist applicants and customers with the submittal of applications
• Perform quality control of applications submitted to the County for review
• Communicate with citizens, applicants, and board/committee members regarding applications, policies and regulations
• Research background information
• Perform site visits, take photographs
• Review site plans and architectural drawings for consistency with County code, design guidelines, policies, and ordinances
• Perform or assist in the development of studies, analyses and recommendations regarding the current physical development of the County, with a focus on architecture, neighborhood design, landscape and historic resource matters

Key Expectations of a Review Focus

• Assisting planning and management staff with administrative and clerical tasks
• Assist applicants and customers with the submittal of applications
• Perform quality control of applications submitted to the County for review
• Provide professional, clear/concise and accurate communication (both verbal and written) to citizens, applicants, and committees/commissions.
• Research background information
• Perform site visits
• Review of ministerial subdivision and site plan applications in accordance with County code, policies, and ordinances

QUALIFICATIONS FOR BOTH FOCUSES:

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major work in urban and/or regional planning or a related field, and one year minimum of relevant experience. Computer experience necessary: proficiency with word processing and GIS; some experience and ability to use spreadsheets and databases. Experience working effectively and successfully in team settings. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Possession of a valid appropriate driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

• Ability to convey complex issues, policies, and ordinances to citizens, the development community and board/committee members in a professional, clear, concise, and accurate manner, in both verbal and written form
• Ability to understand and assess the physical impacts of proposed development on a property
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of urban design, historic preservation, architecture, landscape architecture, site design, and land use compatibility
• Knowledge of current literature and recent developments in the fields of urban and rural planning
• Some knowledge of economics, sociology and municipal finance as applied to urban and rural planning
• Ability to analyze facts and exercise sound judgment in arriving at recommendations
• Ability to 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 prepare maps and graphics to visually convey design concepts
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with professional colleagues, employees, the public and representatives of other public agencies, boards and committees
• May include planning and supervising the work of others
• May include presentation of findings and recommendations in public meetings

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS AND NATURE OF WORK CONTACTS:

Typically involves walking/standing in an office environment to meet public, show displays, work with other departments and retrieve files. Also involves light lifting and other physical activities including use of computers and motor vehicle operation (approximately once every one or two weeks). Field reviews may involve walking in fairly rugged terrain. Field review may be required during adverse weather conditions. Field work requires spatial interpretation, judging heights, distances, slopes and the like. Frequent and regular contacts made at all levels of county staff and the general public, possibly requiring use of alternative approaches to influence outcome. Communication is generally cooperative, but sometimes characterized by debate requiring diplomacy, persuasion and tact. Conflict resolution responsibilities increase as job classification increases.

HIRING SALARY RANGE (PLANNER): $44,578 - $53,494/Yearly, depending on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. Internal candidates will receive pay adjustments in accordance with Local Government Personnel Policy, §P-60.

Hiring Salary Range for Senior Planner: $51,317 - $61,580/Yearly, depending on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. 

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Open Until Filled (this posting will remain open for a minimum of 10 days)

To review the Job Descriptions and for other additional information visit the Albemarle County Human Resources page at http://www.albemarle.org/hr.

EEO/EOE