JOB DESCRIPTION

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, 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, helping shape the physical form, character, and long-term vision of these communities. Responsibilities include reviewing development proposals of broad scope and complexity in targeted areas, preparing planning analyses based on best practices and the County's Comprehensive Plan, and providing recommendations to the Planning Director, Planning Commission, and the Board of County Supervisors. The role places a strong emphasis on spatial analysis, visual communication, and digital planning tools that help translate planning ideas into clear and accessible concepts for decision makers and the public. The role may include preparing maps, interactive story maps, development scenarios, and visualizations that help illustrate planning concepts, potential growth patterns, and redevelopment opportunities.

The position synthesizes research, policy, and design analysis into clear, well-supported written and visual recommendations grounded in best planning practices and the County's Comprehensive Plan, translating complex planning issues into actionable guidance for senior staff and decision makers. The role also serves as a creative leader within the team, transforming planning concepts into visually compelling plans and materials that help residents, stakeholders, and decision makers actively participate in shaping the County's future.

Minimum Requirements:

High school diploma or G.E.D. and seven (7) years of experience and/or education related to a broad range of translating planning concepts, design ideas, and technical analysis into clear visual materials and presentations for public engagement and decision making.

Preferences:

• Minimum bachelor or (preferable) 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 such as 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.
• 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 for Public Hearings

Starting Salary Range: $100,000-$106,000