Principal Planner - Community Planning & Revitalization Division

Posting number: 202610683

Department: PLANNING

Division: COMMUNITY PLANNING AND REVITALIZATION

Job classification: Principal Planner /C51

Posting type: Open

Categories: Planning and Development

Prince William County, VA, one of the fastest-growing communities in the Washington D.C. metro region and one of the most diverse in the country, is seeking to welcome a Principal Planner to join the Prince William County Planning Office's Community Planning & Revitalization Division. We are looking for a highly collaborative, creative, and technically skilled planning professional with strengths in spatial analysis, urban design, and visual communication who can support a team of professionals and provide sound advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders as the County continues to grow and evolve.

The ideal candidate combines planning knowledge with advanced spatial analysis, design visualization, and digital communication skills that help translate planning ideas into clear and compelling concepts for decision makers and the community. This role is well-suited for a professional who enjoys working at the intersection of planning policy, design thinking, and community engagement, and who can communicate complex planning ideas through both written analysis and visual storytelling.

Candidates with strong spatial analysis, urban design, or visualization backgrounds who are eager to apply these skills to community planning and redevelopment initiatives are encouraged to apply.

About The Division:

The Community Planning & Revitalization Division supports Prince William County by facilitating and revitalizing its communities as vibrant, equitable, and exceptional places through innovative planning and design excellence for future development, redevelopment, and public investment. This Division provides planning services and community engagement at the neighborhood level, focusing on the creation of small area plans and special planning studies that promote placemaking, equity, and revitalization. The Division guides the implementation of small area plans through providing design guidance for new development, fostering strategic investment in the built environment, and coordinating revitalization efforts with economic development. This program works with the private sector to identify, promote, and implement redevelopment and revitalization strategies of vacant/underused properties, the reuse of existing structures, and quality mixed-use developments in strategic locations. 

About This Role:

The Principal Planner leads complex planning and urban design initiatives that guide redevelopment, revitalization, and strategic investment within the County’s targeted growth areas. This position helps shape the physical form, character, and long-term vision of these communities through planning, analysis, engagement, and implementation. Responsibilities include reviewing broad-scope, complex development proposals in targeted areas, preparing planning analyses informed by best practices and the County’s Comprehensive Plan, and providing recommendations to the Planning Director, Planning Commission, and Board of County Supervisors.

The primary focus of this position is managing Small Area Plan projects and related planning initiatives from project initiation through adoption and implementation. This includes developing project scopes, schedules, work plans, deliverables, engagement strategies, and implementation timelines. The Principal Planner coordinates internal staff, oversees consultants, manages consultant deliverables, supports contract administration, and ensures project milestones are completed accurately, on time, and in alignment with Board-adopted plans, policies, and community development objectives.

The successful candidate will be highly organized, detail-oriented, and experienced in managing multiple priorities, deadlines, stakeholders, and project components simultaneously. Strong project management skills are essential, including the ability to coordinate cross-functional teams, track deliverables, manage consultant work products, resolve project issues, and maintain clear documentation throughout the planning process.

This position also requires excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a significant emphasis on public speaking, meeting facilitation, and presenting planning concepts, project updates, recommendations, and implementation strategies to residents, community groups, advisory bodies, elected officials, consultants, partner agencies, and other stakeholders.

The Principal Planner will lead robust public engagement efforts, translate technical planning information into clear and accessible language, incorporate community and stakeholder feedback into planning recommendations, and support implementation of plans and initiatives that advance redevelopment, revitalization, and community development goals.

Minimum Requirements:

High school diploma or G.E.D. and seven (7) years of experience and/or education related to a broad range of planning or regulatory experience. The equivalent combination of education and related work experience (including internships) may be considered.

Preferences:

• Minimum bachelor's or (preferably) master's degree in Planning, Public Administration, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Geography, Design, Public Policy, GIS/Information Technology, or related field.
• Experience translating planning concepts, design ideas, and technical analysis into clear visual materials and presentations for public engagement and decision making.
• Experience preparing urban design concepts, development scenarios, or visualizations that illustrate how planning policies translate into the physical form and character of places.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is desired.
• Knowledge and understanding of Comprehensive and small area plans, including their formation, process of adoption, and implementation.
• Knowledge and understanding of specialized subject areas, including housing, zoning, historic preservation, and economic development.
• Ability to administer and manage projects within a definite timeframe.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for preparing and presenting planning reports, projects, and presentations in an effective manner for the general public.
• Multilingual communication skills are highly desirable, with Spanish language proficiency strongly preferred. Proficiency in other languages commonly spoken within the County is also highly valued to support inclusive, accessible, and effective community engagement.
• Expert-level experience with designing and conducting community engagement, particularly with diverse communities.
• Experienced in handling highly visible/controversial projects.
• Creative problem-solving skills to address complex planning problems.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for facilitating relationships with elected/appointed officials or other decision-makers.

Work Schedule: Full-time with occasional evening Public Hearings, weekend community engagement event.

We also offer great benefits, including:

1. Retirement from the Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
2. 401a and 457 retirement savings and investment plans  
3. Paid Annual Leave
4. Paid Personal Leave 
5. Paid Sick Leave
6. Paid Holidays
7. Optional Group Medical and Dental Health Plans  
8. Optional Group Life Insurance
9. An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 
10. Career Development Opportunities

Full-time positions with Prince William County Government qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). For more information on PSLF, please click here: PSLF.

NOTE: The above position description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department. To view the class description in its entirety, click here.

Prince William County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

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