Assistant Director of Planning and Zoning

Assistant Director of Planning and Zoning

Salary

$86,090.77 - $147,578.68 Annually

Location

1800 Sandy Hook Road, Goochland, VA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

202400268

Department

Community Development- Admin

Opening Date

10/05/2026

Closing Date

10/31/2026 11:00 PM Eastern

FLSA

Exempt

• Description
• Benefits

Goochland County is located in the heart of Central Virginia. Just over 289 square miles of rural countryside, our County is home to just over 26,000 residents and is ideally located within a short drive to beaches or mountain tops. We have great proximity to major cities including Charlottesville and Richmond. Our quality of life is unsurpassed, and our active community welcomes one and all. A community rich in history, the Goochland County Courthouse is widely considered to be the most well-maintained Jeffersonian courthouse in Virginia. Goochland County is the smallest county in the United States to have earned the highest rating from all three credit rating agencies which reflects the County's exceptional financial resilience and is home to an award-winning public-school system.

Description

This position assists the Director of Planning and Zoning in the administration, management, and leadership of the Planning and Zoning Department. The incumbent serves as a senior member of the departments management team and will oversee zoning, land development, code compliance, special projects, or other departmental functions as assigned. The position supervises professional, technical, and administrative staff; assists with departmental operations, budgeting, and strategic initiatives; and acts on behalf of the Director in his/her absence.

The Assistant Director provides leadership on complex planning, zoning, and development matters; assists with policy development and implementation; represents the department before elected and appointed bodies; and works collaboratively with citizens, developers, consultants, and public agencies to advance County goals and priorities.

Essential Functions

• Reports to the Director of Planning and Zoning and acts on behalf of the Director in his/her absence.

• Assists with the management, administration, and leadership of the Planning and Zoning Department.

• Supervises, mentors, evaluates, and develops assigned staff and assists in fostering a positive, collaborative, and customer-focused work environment.

• Assists with departmental budgeting, strategic planning, staffing, performance management, and operational improvements.

• Oversees and coordinates assigned zoning, land development, code compliance, and related departmental programs and activities.

• Provides technical guidance and support to staff regarding planning, zoning, subdivision, land development, and regulatory matters.

• Leads or assists with complex planning, zoning, development review, ordinance amendment, policy, and special projects.

• Reviews and evaluates development applications, reports, ordinances, policies, procedures, and other work products for technical accuracy, consistency, and compliance with applicable regulations.

• Assists in the development, implementation, and administration of the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, departmental policies, and related regulations.

• Develops, implements, and administers departmental policies, procedures, and Standard Operating Procedures.

• Coordinates activities and projects with citizens, developers, attorneys, engineers, consultants, community organizations, and local, regional, state, and federal agencies.

• Conducts research and analysis related to planning, zoning, housing, transportation, economic development, infrastructure, environmental, and other community development issues.

• Prepares and presents reports, recommendations, analyses, and presentations to the County Administrator, Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Design Review Committee, and other boards, commissions, committees, and stakeholder groups.

• Represents the County at public meetings, community meetings, professional organizations, regional committees, and intergovernmental meetings.

• Serves as project manager or departmental lead for assigned initiatives and programs.

• Responds to inquiries and resolves complex issues involving planning, zoning, development, and land use matters.

• Monitors changes in legislation, regulations, and professional practices and recommends policy or operational responses as appropriate.

• Serves on local and regional boards, committees, and working groups as the Countys representative.

• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of planning, zoning, land use regulation, community development, and local government administration.
• Knowledge of organizational management, personnel supervision, and project management principles.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex laws, regulations, policies, and technical information.
• Ability to plan, organize, supervise, and evaluate the work of professional, technical, and administrative staff.
• Ability to conduct research, analyze information, develop recommendations, and prepare technical reports and presentations.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected and appointed officials, staff, citizens, developers, consultants, attorneys, engineers, and representatives of other agencies.
• Ability to facilitate meetings, negotiate solutions, and resolve complex issues involving multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to prepare and present technical information clearly and effectively to decision-making bodies and the public.
• Skill in the use of computers, permitting software, GIS applications, and other technology related to planning and zoning functions.
• Thorough knowledge of planning, zoning, land-use regulation, comprehensive planning, local government administration, and applicable laws and public hearing requirements.

Education, Experience and Training

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Public Administration, Geography, Environmental Science, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or a related field.
• Minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in planning, zoning, development review, land-use administration, comprehensive development, or a related field, including at least three (3) years of supervisory or management experience.
• Local government experience preferred.
• Master's degree in Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, Architecture, or a related field preferred.
• Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Certified Zoning Administrator (CZA), or the ability to obtain professional certification preferred.
• Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience sufficient to demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
• Valid State of Virginia Drivers License with a driving record that meets County requirements.
• Background check and pre-employment drug testing required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work is primarily sedentary work, which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Tasks may require the ability to walk or stand for prolonged periods of time. Additionally, the following physical abilities may be required: climbing, bending, reaching, handling, and grasping.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is generally performed in a safe and secure office environment. The position requires travel to public meetings, community meetings, and other locations and may occasionally require visits to properties associated with zoning applications, including outdoor locations with natural or undeveloped conditions throughout the year.

As part of employment with Goochland County, all employees are required to complete Emergency preparedness and incident management training courses as directed or requested.

Goochland County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, color, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, family medical history or genetic information, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status that is protected by federal, state or local laws.

Goochland County Government offers an excellent benefits package that includes health, dental and vision, vacation and sick leave as well as retirement benefits for all regular full-time employees. Goochland County participates in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) which requires a 5% mandatory contribution by employees.

PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS: As a prospective employee of Goochland County, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website atore information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at StudentAid.gov/PSLF

Please visit our Benefits web page for additional information.

Employer Goochland County

Address 1800 Sandy Hook Road

P.O. Box 10

Goochland, Virginia, 23063

Phone 804-556-5831

Website http://www.goochlandva.us