Discover a rewarding career with us!

Our full-time positions come with an array of excellent benefits including comprehensive healthcare coverage, a pension plan, flexible spending accounts and even a student loan reimbursement program.

At Lancaster County, we understand the importance of work-life balance. That's why we offer paid time off for sick, vacation and holidays, an employee assistance program, and family medical leave.

If you're passionate about making a difference, apply today to join us in serving the community!

JOB SUMMARY

Principal Planners play a key role in guiding staff and public, private, and nonprofit planning partners in implementing places2040 (the Lancaster County comprehensive plan) and related plans and policies.

Under the direction of the leadership team, they manage projects and programs from conception to completion.

They develop scopes of work, assign tasks, monitor workflow, and review and evaluate reports and presentations.

They also facilitate the development of consultant contracts and monitor the completion of contracted tasks.

In addition, they assist the leadership team in developing planning policies and strategies. They also supervise and mentor the work of planning, technical, and support staff in functional areas of planning such as comprehensive planning and growth management, land use and transportation, environment, heritage conservation, placemaking, planning education, civic engagement, and data analysis.

Principal Planners advocate for the department's work program and educate the public about best practices in planning. They do this by speaking to groups and representing the department on external committees and task forces.

The work of Principal Planners requires considerable skill and experience in balancing multiple priorities, applying significant analytical and problem-solving skills, and synthesizing complex planning concepts.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

DEVELOP, IMPLEMENT, AND UPDATE PLANS

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND OUTREACH

RESEARCH, ANALYSIS, AND EDUCATION

Guide planning and support staff in data collection, maintenance, and analysis. Provide input on analysis and research design.

Coordinate efforts to research best practices in planning and apply them in Lancaster County.

Contribute to advisory reviews of regional and municipal comprehensive plans, Subdivision and Land Development (S/LD) plans, Community Planning and Ordinance reviews (CPOs), and other scopes/studies as they relate to assigned work. Guide planning and support staff in responding to requests for letters of support.

Educate LCPC members and planning partners on countywide, regional, and municipal plans; functional areas of planning and/or particular geographical areas within the county. Give presentations and prepare reports for that purpose.

Review content for the department’s website and social media.

OTHER SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES

Lead or participate in meetings and site visits outside the office as necessary, including before and after scheduled office hours.

As assigned by the leadership team, perform other duties related to implementing the department’s current work program.

Play a leading role in developing and implementing strategies to improve the department’s delivery of services, both internally (among other staff) and externally to planning partners. Assist the department in becoming more effective, efficient, and customer friendly.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1) A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in planning or a related field and 3 years of experience in planning (including 1-2 years of project management experience), or 2) a bachelor’s degree in planning or a related field and 5 years of experience in planning (including 1-2 years of project management experience), or 3) any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and ability to perform this job.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

COMMUNICATION

TECHNICAL SKILLS

PLANNING CONCEPTS

Familiarity with the general principles of zoning, subdivision, and land development.

LEADERSHIP

ETHICS/JUDGMENT

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES

A valid driver’s license and ability to provide personal transportation.

Acceptable pre-employment driver history check in accordance with county policy.

Accreditation by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees. Read more about our benefits here.

Lancaster County Government provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information or disability. The County also observes all applicable laws regarding Veterans status. The County reflects this action in all areas of employment and compensation practices and policies. Employment with the County is based upon the ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once an individual is hired.