JOB DESCRIPTION

FILING DEADLINE DATE

The deadline to apply is Monday, February 23, 2026.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The purpose of this position is to develop, review, and implement urban and regional plans that improve quality of life in and around Fayette County through professional, technical, and analytical planning. This position serves as the primary professional planner associated with development and subdivision plan review coordinated through the Division of Planning, including significant interaction with the Urban County Planning Commission, design professionals, and the public.

Skills and strengths of an ideal candidate would include the ability to:

• Effectively and confidently write, speak, and present descriptive and technical information
• Work independently and collaboratively with a team
• Build effective working relationships with professional staff in and outside the division
• Prioritize and manage multiple work assignments and legal deadlines
• Display a high level of independent judgement and problem-solving skills

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in urban studies, political science, geography, architecture, landscape architecture, environmental science, public administration, public policy, urban and regional planning, or another related field
• Two (2) years of related planning experience
• Years of related education may substitute for years of related experience
• Years of related experience may substitute for years of education

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops, designs, and implements plans for a specified project or program
  • Reviews subdivision and development plan applications
  • Processes and evaluates waiver requests and variations from the adopted standards
• Gathers, researches, and analyzes data to make valid conclusions and use for the decision making, planning, implementation of ordinances, and improvements to the development process
  • Interprets and understands zoning practices and zoning ordinance construction
  • Analyzes the spatial relationships between buildings, roadways, environmentally sensitive area, natural resources, and other elements of the physical environment
• Prepares written reports and presentations that detail critical elements of plans
  • Presents staff recommendations at Planning Commission meetings and hearings
  • Prepares written staff reports related to land development projects, infrastructure, ordinance and Comprehensive Plan compliance
• Formulates, reviews, updates, and/or makes recommendations for changes to policies, plans, or other related legal documents as needed
  • Drafts and reviews zoning ordinance text amendments, land subdivision regulations, and planning policies
• Represents the Division at meetings and events such as, but not limited to, Boards, Committees, Commissions, Council, and professional conferences
• Manage contracts and grants and develop documents that track spending and funds
• Facilitates and leads public and stakeholder input and education meetings
• Responds to public and private inquiries related to various projects as they arise
• Performs related work as assigned

SPECIAL LICENSE/CERTIFICATION

AICP Certification is preferred

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• All positions require drug testing and background check before employment and may require a post-job offer physical as stated in Ordinances 21-14(b), 22-13 and 23-16.
• In accordance with CAO Policy 23R "Acquisition of Real Property From Property Owners under Certain Notices and/or Orders", no employee who works in a Division with regulatory or civil enforcement authority over real property located in Fayette County shall acquire an interest in real property in Fayette County with any outstanding citation, notice or order from the Division in which he or she works regardless of whether the citation, notice, or order was issued by the employee or someone else in the Division. This policy extends to immediate family members and the Commissioner of the Department in which the identified employee is employed. Employees may be required to disclose all real property owned by the employee as well as his/her immediate family members. Property and business ownership exemptions may apply.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit LFUCG electronic application through lexingtonky.gov/jobs and attach/upload applicable documents to verify your education, training, certification/license(s), or DD214 (for military preference with appropriate discharge) by filing deadline date.

RESUMES CANNOT BE SUBSTITUTED FOR THE APPLICATION, but are highly encouraged to be attached/uploaded to the application.

Please note that the section titled "Application Questionnaire" has to be completed every time a new or revised application is submitted. Even if other information is pre-filled, the Questionnaire does not transfer.

***APPLICANTS WHO FAIL TO COMPLETE THE ELECTRONIC APPLICATION IN ITS ENTIRETY WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FURTHER***

BENEFITS

• Health and wellness benefits
• Paid and unpaid time off benefits
• Direct deposit is required of all employees.