Director of Planning and Zoning

Salary: $128,391.81 - $160,489.76 Annually
Location : 1800 Sandy Hook Road, Goochland, VA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Community Development- Admin
Opening Date: 09/18/2026
Closing Date: 10/2/2026 11:00 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt

Description
The Director of Planning position oversees the Planning and Zoning Department which manages the long-range planning efforts, and current land development processes. The position supervises Planning and Zoning staff and provides staff support to the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals and Design Review Committee.

Essential Functions

• Leads and manages Planning and Zoning Department staff engaged in professional planning activities such as Comprehensive Planning, Current Planning, Development Review and Zoning Administration, including supervising, evaluating, and managing the training for planning and zoning staff.
• Manages the department's budget, resources, and overall operations.
• Develops, implements, and enforces local policies, ordinances, comprehensive plans, and zoning codes to guide community growth and development.
• Collaborates with other departments, state and federal agencies, and regional entities on planning and development initiatives.
• Provides expert advice and analysis on land use, long-range planning, zoning, and other technical planning matters to elected officials, commissions, committees, and staff.
• Oversees the review and approval of land development projects, including site plans, subdivisions, and rezoning requests, ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Delivers public presentations on community development, planning and zoning matters.
• Informs the public of planning programs and activities.
• Recommends, implements and interprets policies, procedures, and programs.
• Serves in various capacities on local and/or regional technical committees and boards as the representative for the County.
• Meets with individual citizens and with citizen groups regarding planning matters to elicit information for planning studies and plans.
• Oversees comprehensive planning activities, including preparation of special studies as well as periodic updates.
• Provides quality control/quality assurance reviews for planning and zoning work products.
• Oversees the daily activities of the Planning and Zoning department to ensure operational efficiencies.
• Attends Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Community Meetings, and other meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of Urban and Regional Planning, including an understanding of the general legal framework of comprehensive planning and zoning in Virginia.
• Considerable knowledge of various ordinances and codes, and regulations pertaining to planning, zoning and subdivision practices.
• Considerable knowledge of principles of personnel management, including supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Knowledge of computer applications including Microsoft Office, database management and Internet applications.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to compile and analyze technical and statistical information and prepare reports, plans, policies, ordinances, and other planning documents.
• Ability to prepare and present technical information clearly to large groups and the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with professional colleagues, employees, representatives of other public agencies, and the public.
• Ability to negotiate effectively.
• Ability to work as a team leader and team member.
• Ability to read and interpret site plans, conceptual plans, and subdivision plats.
• Ability to plan, organize, supervise, and carry out complex research projects and to present results effectively in oral, written, and graphic form.
• Ability to supervise professional and technical personnel engaged in comprehensive planning and zoning work.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and professional piers, elected and appointed officials, registered professionals, legal professionals, and the general public.

Education, Experience and Training

• Bachelor's degree, required. A master's degree in urban and Regional Planning, Public Administration, or comparable graduate degree is preferred. Membership in the American Institute of Certified Planners, or qualifications necessary for membership, and a willingness to apply and sit for the certification examination is required.
• Must have at least six (6) years previous related experience, to include three (3) years supervising professional staff, managing projects, or other combination of comparable work - OR - Any equivalent combination of education, experience and/or training sufficient to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities is acceptable.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing; to compile and analyze technical and statistical information and prepare reports, plans, policies, ordinances, and other planning documents; to prepare and present technical information clearly to large groups and the public; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with professional colleagues, employees, representatives of other public agencies, and the public; to negotiate effectively; to work as a team leader and team member; to read and interpret site plans, conceptual plans, and subdivision plats.
• Valid State of Virginia Driver's License with a driving record that meets HR Policy requirements.
• Must pass a Background Check and Drug Screen.

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

Please visit our web page for additional information.