Principal Planner

Job Title: Principal Planner

See Position Description

Location: York, SC

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: 2026-00999

Department: Planning Division P & D Zoning

Opening Date: 03/13/2026

Closing Date: Continuous

FLSA Exempt

Description

York County is located in the Piedmont region, between the Broad River and the Catawba River. Its diverse landscape is home to family-friendly towns/cities, a progressive urban region and lakefront communities. We are excited that you want to join our team and recognize that our employees are the foundation for our success.

Mission Statement York County provides quality public services in an open, efficient, and responsive manner.

Vision Statement York County provides an environment where all citizens and businesses can thrive and succeed.

Core Values

• Excellence through Professionalism
• Respect - respect builds bridges, not silos. How we live it? Golden rule - treat others as you want to be treated.
• Dedicated - strong work ethic. How we live it? Persistence, reliability and commitment to do your best.
• Integrity - do the right thing instead of what is convenient. How we live it? Displaying strong moral principles.
• Knowledgeable - ready and able. How we live it? Having the right competencies necessary for achievement.
• Friendly - service with a smile. How we live it? Being respectful, pleasant and helpful to ALL.

About our opportunity

We are excited to hire a Principal Planner to join their team in the Planning and Development Department! The purpose of this position is to supervise and provide support to the Zoning Planners and Landscape Architect; reviews larger, more complex tasks and projects including, sketch plans, site plan review, variances, special exceptions, administrative appeals, and major subdivisions.

This position is open until filled with applications being reviewed weekly. The position may close at any time or when sufficient candidates have been received. All communication to candidates will come from the hiring committee via email.

Projected Hiring Range/Pay Grade 122: $72,562.16 - $87,074.59. Salary is dependent on experience and education.

Our Total Compensation Package:

• Compensation - competitive market-rate pay, and negotiable based on qualifications.
• Comprehensive State Medical Insurance, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Parental Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Deferred Compensation 401K Plans
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Public Loan Forgiveness Program (Student Loan Forgiveness Program)
• 11 Paid Holidays + 3 Optional Holidays
• Longevity Pay
• SC State Retirement Plan Pension
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time
• Expanded Sick Bank
• Critical Care and Cancer Insurance
• Wellness Screenings
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Professional Development / Trainings / Conferences
• Paid uniforms

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.
• Coordinates, assigns and reviews work and establishes work schedules; maintains standards; monitors status of work in progress; inspects completed work assignments; answers questions; gives advice and direction as needed.
• Reviews plans submitted to the department for compliance with current regulations.
• Prepares and presents complex subdivisions, special exceptions, waivers, administrative appeals, and variances to the Board of Zoning Appeals and/or Planning Commission, which requires the ability to drive and operate a vehicle.
• Attends meetings with internal and external customers and provides technical zoning information for proposed projects.
• Provides guidance and supervision to subordinate staff by mentorship and open communication.
• Implements and enforces the York County Zoning and Land Development Codes.
• Performs related work as assigned.

About you

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, or related discipline. Master's degree preferred.
• Six (6) years of experience in project review and compliance with local regulations, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Certifications / Licenses:

• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license with an acceptable driving history.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) preferred.
• Applicants with equivalent experience and/or education may be considered.

Physical Demands / Work Environment / Disclaimer

• Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.
• Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.
• Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance
• York County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

Standard Clauses

• May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of the County.
• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Benefits

• Full-time employees are allowed to participate in group medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance programs offered by York County Government. If employees elect to secure dependent coverage, the employee should pay the additional costs for such coverage. All statements of insurance coverage are subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions and other eligibility requirements that are set forth in various insurance plan documents.
• Our full-time benefits through PEBA (South Carolina Retirement Systems and State Health Plan) include health insurance, prescription benefits, dental, vision, life insurance, MoneyPlus, Health Savings Accounts, retirement (Membership in the South Carolina Retirement System is mandatory for county employees), and deferred compensation. Making decisions about your insurance and retirement benefits can sometimes be complicated and difficult. The Navigating Your Benefits series provides common-language explanations and can help you find your way in the world of your insurance and retirement benefits: Navigating Your Benefits | S.C. PEBA (sc.gov)
• Other full-time benefits include longevity allowance, annual leave, sick leave, holiday pay, Sick Leave Bank, wellness benefits, Employee Assistance Program, etc. Please contact Human Resources at Human.Resources@yorkcountygov.com if you would like more information.

Longevity Allowance

• Full-time regular county employees, elected officials, appointed officials, and judges with ten or more years of full time continuous governmental service are eligible to receive a monthly longevity allowance in addition to their regular compensation. Continuous service transferred from employment with another county, municipality, state or a political entity created by the State may contribute toward eligibility for the longevity allowance. Longevity allowances are paid according to the following schedule.
• Longevity Allowance
• Years of Continuous Service | Monthly Longevity Amount
• 10-14 Years | $20.00
• 15-19 Years | $25.00
• 20-24 Years | $30.00
• 25-29 Years | $35.00
• 30-34 Years | $40.00
• 35-39 Years | $45.00
• 40+ Years | $50.00

Parental Leave

• Employees that have been employed at least 12 months with the county may be eligible for up to 30 days of parental leave immediately following the birth, adoption or placement of a legal dependent child.

Bereavement Leave

• Three (3) days of bereavement leave for the death of an immediate family member, which includes a spouse, parent, grandparent or child.

Annual Leave

• Probationary and regular full-time county employees that work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave with pay. Employees in their new hire six (6) month probationary period shall not be able to use annual leave until they become regular county employees. Employees who are separating from county service shall be paid for all accrued, unused annual leave up to 360 hours provided they give York County as the employer the proper notice as required. Employees in their six (6) month New Hire probationary period who are terminated or separated from employment shall not be paid for accrued annual leave. The maximum amount of annual leave carried into each calendar year is 360 hours.
• Earning Rate for Full-Time Employees
• Full-time employees with less than ten years of continuous service earn at the rate of eight hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve month period.
• Full-time employees with at least ten years, but less than twenty years of continuous service will earn at the rate of ten (10) hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve-month period.
• Full-time employees with twenty or more years of service will earn at the rate of twelve (12) hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve (12) months period.

Sick Leave

• **Full-time county employees may be entitled to earn sick leave with pay. Employees may accrue up to 1,440 hours of sick leave.