Planner

Planner

Salary

$52,882.00 - $79,000.00 Annually

Location

City of Colonial Heights, VA

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

48-26

Department

Planning & Comm. Development

Division

Planning & Comm. Development

Opening Date

08/28/2026

Closing Date

9/28/2026 5:00 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

All applications received during the recruitment period will be forwarded to the hiring department for review and consideration

after the Monday, September 28, 2026 closing date.

Planner: Coordinates and assists with the implementation of various City programs and plans for the Planning & Community Development Department.

Examples of Duties

• Assists the Director and Assistant Director in developing community outreach initiatives, planning studies, and reports in support of department plans, programs, and regulations.
• Reviews the submission of zoning permits.
• Reviews or assists with the review of moderately difficult development proposals and site plans for conformance with codes, plans, and regulations.
• Researches and collects a variety of statistical data and prepares reports and maps on topics relevant to the department's objectives.
• Coordinates and implements the City's Home Repair program using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds awarded to the City, including contract management with City vendors, with oversight by the Director or Assistant Director.
• Prepares correspondence for zoning matters, as needed.
• Assists with research and writing of ordinance amendments.
• Acts as a liaison between community groups, government agencies, developers, and elected officials in developing plans, as assigned.
• Attends evening and weekend meetings, as assigned, and assists in the preparation of draft minutes for Boards and Commission meetings staffed by the Planning & Community Development Department.
• Manages and updates department databases.
• Develops and submits grant applications, as assigned.
• Addresses public and professional inquiries.
• Other duties as required.

Education & Experience

• Two years of college or Associate's Degree and five to less than ten years related experience or,

• A Bachelor's Degree and two or five years of directly related experience or,

• A Master's Degree and less than two years of directly related experience.

• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) designation by the American Planning Association is desirable.

• Certified Zoning Official (CZO) designation by the Virginia Association of Zoning Officials is desirable.

• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

• CDBG experience desirable.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The work is generally performed in an office environment. Typically, the employee may sit to do the work. However, there may be some walking, standing, stooping, carrying of light items such as papers, books, or small parts, or driving an automobile. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts, which require normal safety precautions. Use of safe work practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals are minimally required.

Full-Time Employee Benefits:

Health Insurance - The Local Choice

• The Local Choice Program (Anthem, Delta Dental, and Blue Vision).
• Health, Dental, and Vision benefits are included as a package under our health insurance program and cannot be purchased as separate coverage items.
• Health insurance benefits start on the 1st of the month following the hire date.
• Benefit Summaries
• Key Advantage 250 Benefits Summary
• Key Advantage 1000 Benefit Summary
• High-Deductible Health Plan Benefits Summary

Retirement - Virginia Retirement System (VRS)

• Basic Group Life Insurance Program Features
• Optional Group Life Insurance Program Features

Supplemental Retirement - Mission Square Retirement

• We offer supplemental Retirement plans through Mission Square Retirement.
• Employees can enroll in the following plans at any time during their employment.
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Roth IRA

Paid Holiday Leave

• The city observes 14 holidays throughout the year (except certain departments if scheduling does not permit).

Paid Vacation Leave

Years of Service

Day(s) Earned

Per Month

Max. Annual

Accrual Days

Max. Days for

Carry Forward

0 - 5 Years

1

12

24

Over 5 Years

1¼

15

30

Over 10 Years

1½

18

36

Over 20 Years

1¾

21

42

Paid Sick Leave

• All full-time employees earn (1¼) days of paid sick leave for each calendar month of employment and is accumulated without limit.

Compensatory Leave

• Non-Exempt employees may accumulate compensatory leave only for overtime worked which is authorized prior to the performance of such work. Compensatory leave may be accumulated at the rate of 1 1/2 times the regular rate for all hours worked in excess of 40 during a work week. Compensatory leave for nonexempt employees is voluntary but in no instance may exceed 120 hours of accumulated leave. All hours in excess of 120 hours will be compensated on the same basis as approved overtime.

Voluntary Benefits - Pierce Group Benefits

• Employees have 30 days from their hire date to enroll in the following benefits. If an employee does not enroll, they cannot enroll until the next Open Enrollment.

Colonial Life Products

Pre-Tax:

Post Tax:

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Critical Illness

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Disability

Cancer

Term Life

Accident

Whole Life

Medical Bridge

Student Loan Forgiveness Program

• Note: Employees can only enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA) during Open Enrollment in May of each year. *

Other Benefits

• Bi-weekly payday
• Virginia Credit Union membership
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• City Sick Leave Bank Program (VRS Plan 1 and Plan 2 Members only)
• VRS Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (VRS Hybrid Members only)
• Education/tuition discounts through Liberty University

For additional information or more details about employee benefits please call the Human Resources Department at (804) 518-5073.

01

Which best describes your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma/GED
• Some College
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree/Advanced Degree

02

How many years of directly related experience do you possess?

• 0 to 1
• 2 to 3
• 4 to 5
• 6 to 7
• 8 to 9
• 10+

03

How many years of experience do you have in a planning and/or community development office in local government?

• 0-1
• 2-3
• 4-5
• 6-7
• 8-9
• 10+

04

Do you have experience in planning, engineering, architecture, or construction?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have experience with Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you possess any of the following zoning certifications?

• Certified Zoning Official
• American Institute of Certified Planners
• No

07

Do you have any special training or certification(s) relevant to this position? *NOTE: If this question is not applicable, you must indicate N/A in the response area.

Required Question

Employer Colonial Heights, City of (VA)

Address PO Box 3401

Colonial Heights, Virginia, 23834

Phone 804-518-5073

Website http://www.colonialheightsva.gov