Principal Planner

Principal Planner

Salary

$59,657.62 - $79,046.34 Annually

Location

County of Culpeper, VA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

00677

Department

Planning & Zoning

Opening Date

11/05/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

FLSA

Non-Exempt

• Description
• Benefits

Job Summary

Responsible for overseeing and managing the Department's planning activities, including current legislative land use application and long range comprehensive planning; research and analysis; ensuring compliance with local, state and federal laws; advising various boards, commissions, and elected officials on planning related issues; attending Planning Commission and Board of Supervisor meetings, serving as staff liaison for committees, overseeing certain functions such as the ag-forest districts, and assisting in day-to-day operations. Works on long-term policy formulation and implementation regarding land use and transportation in the county. Includes things such as drafting/managing comprehensive plan, regional planning interaction, community engagement, and transportation planning/project management.

Job Functions

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Assists in providing the public with information regarding the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, subdivision regulations, erosion and sediment control ordinances, and other applicable codes, ordinances, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
• Performs customer service functions; provides assistance and information to callers/visitors in relation to adopted policies, codes/ordinances, interpretations, violations, department activities, procedures, documentation, fees, or other issues; responds to routine questions/complaints and initiates problem resolution.
• Supervisors the legislative land use applications, assists in preparation of Zzoning Ordinance revisions, and oversees revisions to the Comprehensive Plan.
• Manages the legislative land use cases
• Conducts research relevant to long range planning in the County, whether it be general research or research specific to certain policies/initiatives; Research relates to exploring different policy problems and solutions, legal requirements, grant opportunities, etc.
• Drafting, implementing, and analyzing other long range and policy-oriented documents, such as the Purchase of Development Rights Ordinance, planning grant opportunities, and transportation projects.
• Attend workgroups/regional meetings that are relevant to Culpeper County, whether it be informational or regarding creation or implementation of policy; this occurs virtually and in-person, which sometimes requires travel.
• Coordinating with the Planning Commission and other relevant entities regarding policy discussion and meetings.
• Provides technical support to the Planning and Zoning Director on project prioritization and capital budgeting.
• Performs planning, public involvement and report preparation for various planning related projects.
• Serve as a community liaison/outreach regarding long-range planning, such as organizing events for public comment, and advertising public meetings related to long-range planning.
• Recording input and questions from the public & organizations regarding the Comprehensive Plan and other long-range planning documents/initiatives/policies.

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Assist the office with general customer service
• Performs a variety of clerical and administrative functions
• Attend workshops and training sessions as appropriate
• Attend various meetings as needed
• Provide assistance to other employees or departments as needed
• Perform related duties as directed

TYPICAL KNOWLEDGE

• Thorough knowledge of urban planning and development and local government policies and procedures
• Thorough knowledge of specialization such as land use planning/zoning, transportation planning, environmental planning, urban design, housing, historic preservation or economic development
• Research methods and statistical principles related to urban growth and development
• Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation
• Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations including recent changes
• Principles and practices of supervision, training and personnel management
• Budgeting procedures and techniques
• Recent developments, current literature and sources of information related to municipal planning and administration.
• Knowledge of local government procedures and practices
• Citizen involvement techniques and processes
• Knowledge of computer programs and applications, which may include Microsoft Office, Internet applications, econometric or transportation modeling, and database management
• GIS programs and applications

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Education equivalent preferred master's degree in planning or a closely related field with at least five (5) years' experience. AICP Certification preferred.

Special Qualifications:

Must possess satisfactory results of a criminal history background check. Must possess and maintain a valid Virginia driver's license.

TYPICAL SKILLS

• Must be innovative, detail-oriented, experienced in highly visible/controversial projects
• Capable of managing multiple high-priority assignments
• Strong interpersonal skills to develop good working relationships with staff, officials and stakeholders and to resolve complaints
• Strong analytical skills to interpret research data for reports and apply mathematic techniques in practical situations
• Reading comprehension to understand technical and legal materials.
• Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously
• Ability to provide effective supervision and staff management
• Ability to manage projects effectively and meet firm deadlines
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage and conduct in-person and virtual public participation activities, meetings and hearing

Working Conditions & Disclaimer

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Essential functions are regularly performed in an office setting or in an outdoor environment. May require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, temperature extremes, or traffic hazards.

Disclaimer

The above information in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees within 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 job.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Culpeper 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 Sign-off: The employee is expected to adhere to all County policies and to act as a role model in the adherence to the policies.

The above information in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees within 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 job.

Culpeper County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Culpeper County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

COUNTY OF CULPEPER BENEFITS

Full-time employees have access to a wide variety of benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, life insurance, optional life and disability insurance plans, flexible spending accounts, and a deferred compensation program.

RETIREMENT As a condition of full-time employment, each individual is enrolled in a retirement plan with the Virginia Retirement System that provides a monthly benefit to all retirees for life. VRS Plans 1 and 2 and the VRS Enhanced Hazardous Duty plans are defined benefit plans. The VRS Hybrid plan consists of both a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan.

All individuals are required to contribute 5% of their gross salary to their retirement account each month as a condition of employment.

LIFE INSURANCE The County of Culpeper provides a basic life insurance plan for all eligible employees. The coverage amount is an employees annual salary, rounded up to the next highest thousand, then multiplied by 2. The County pays 100% of the cost of this benefit. Additional coverage may be purchased.

MEDICAL INSURANCE The County offers two (2) medical plans: an HMO & an HSA.

DENTAL INSURANCE The County offers three comprehensive dental plans for employees and their eligible dependents.

HOLIDAY/VACATION/SICK ACCRUALS The County follows the state calendar for paid holidays. Vacation and sick accrual depend on the agency, office, or department in which an individual is employed.

PAY FOR PERFORMANCE The County currently utilizes a merit pay system to determine employee salary increases. This does not apply to Culpeper Human Services.

SHORT TERM DISABILITY The County offers basic income protection in the event an employee is unable to perform the essential functions of his or her position. The County pays for this coverage for all VRS members.

LONG TERM DISABILITY The County also offers additional income protection that will continue beyond the short term disability period until an employee is able to return to work or reaches retirement age. This coverage is provided for a nominal cost to employees covered under VRS Plans 1 and 2 and the VRS Enhanced Hazardous Duty plan. This coverage is provided at no cost to all employees covered under the VRS Hybrid plan.

VOLUNTARY INSURANCE PROGRAM The County offers voluntary insurance programs through a variety of insurance carriers. These include:

Accident Plan

Cancer Plan

Whole Life Insurance

Critical Illness Plans

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT The County offers a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) that allows employees to set aside up to $2,500 annually, on a pre-tax basis via payroll deductions, to pay for eligible medical, dental, or vision expenses. The IRS regulates this program and runs concurrently with the benefit plan year.

DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The County offers a Dependent Care Assistance Program that allows employees to set aside up to $5,000 annually, on a pre-tax basis via payroll deductions, to pay eligible dependent care expenses. The IRS regulates this program and runs concurrently with the benefit plan year. Open enrollment is held annually.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION The County offers a 457 as another alternative to set aside money for retirement.

This employer uses E-Verify

For more information please go to: http://www.uscis.gov

Employer County of Culpeper

Address 302 North Main Street

Culpeper, Virginia, 22701

Phone (540) 727-3422

Website http://web.culpepercounty.gov