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:
Department: Community Development- Admin
Opening Date: 06/12/2026
Closing Date: 10/31/2026 11:00 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt

Description
This position assists the Director of Planning and Zoning with the administration, management, and leadership of the Planning and Zoning Department. The incumbent serves as a senior member of the department's management team, with primary responsibility for managing the County's zoning application processes and supervising the planners assigned to zoning cases.

The Assistant Director oversees zoning applications from the pre-application stage through final action by the Board of Supervisors or other applicable decision-making body. The position ensures that applications are processed accurately, consistently, and according to established schedules, legal requirements, departmental procedures, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

The Assistant Director supervises professional and administrative staff; reviews staff reports, presentations, and other case materials; and prepares staff to present zoning cases before the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. The position also assists with ordinance amendments, comprehensive planning, special projects, departmental operations, budgeting, and strategic initiatives and acts on behalf of the Director in the Director's absence.

Essential Functions

• Assists with the management, administration, budgeting, staffing, and strategic direction of the Planning and Zoning Department.
• Supervises, mentors, and evaluates assigned staff and promotes a collaborative, accountable, and customer-focused work environment.
• Oversees zoning applications from pre-application through final action, including case assignments, schedules, agency coordination, community meetings, public notices, staff reports, public hearings, and case closeout.
• Provides technical guidance to case planners and reviews zoning applications, staff reports, ordinances, and presentation materials for accuracy, consistency, and compliance with applicable requirements.
• Coordinates zoning matters with applicants, citizens, property owners, attorneys, consultants, community organizations, County departments, and outside agencies.
• Ensures that staff consistently follow established SOPs, policies, schedules, templates, and quality-control procedures for zoning actions.
• Develops and updates departmental SOPs and processes to reflect changes in laws, policies, and organizational practices and to improve efficiency, consistency, accountability, and customer service.
• Leads or assists with zoning ordinance amendments, comprehensive planning initiatives, policy development, research, and special projects.
• Monitors changes in legislation, regulations, judicial decisions, and professional practices affecting planning and zoning and recommends appropriate responses.
• Responds to inquiries and resolves complex or sensitive zoning, planning, procedural, and public-participation issues.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of planning, zoning, land-use regulation, comprehensive planning, local government administration, and applicable laws and public hearing requirements.
• Knowledge of zoning application procedures from pre-application through final action and case closeout.
• Experience supervising staff and managing multiple zoning cases, projects, schedules, and priorities.
• Sound judgment in interpreting and consistently applying complex laws, ordinances, policies, and technical information.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills, including reviewing and preparing staff reports, ordinances, and presentations.
• Demonstrated proficiency in developing, implementing, and improving SOPs and departmental processes.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, including presenting to elected and appointed bodies, facilitating meetings, and resolving complex issues involving multiple stakeholders.
• Proficiency with permitting and case-management software, GIS, presentation software, and other technology related to planning and zoning.

Education, Experience and Training

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Public Administration, Geography, Environmental Science, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or a related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in planning, zoning, zoning application processing, land-use administration, comprehensive planning, or a related field, including at least three years of supervisory or management experience.
• A master's degree in Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, Architecture, or a related field may substitute for up to two years of the required general experience. The supervisory or management experience requirement may not be substituted.
• Experience managing zoning applications from pre-application through public hearings and final action is preferred.
• Local government experience and certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or as a Certified Zoning Administrator (CZA) are preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
• Valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver's 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 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

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