Entry Level Urban Planner Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $53,174.00 - $66,944.32 Annually
Location : City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 05M00000023
Department: Planning and Development Review
Opening Date: 08/14/2026
Closing Date: 8/28/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Are you Richmond R.E.A.D.Y? Respect. Equity. Accountability. Diversity...YOU!!!
This is an EXCITING time to Join the City of Richmond! We are committed to nurturing talent, fostering growth opportunities, and building strong connections within our workforce. As we continue to make strides to becoming the employer of choice, we are thrilled about the below employee benefit enhancements:

• Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
• Language Incentive
• Referral Bonus
• Tuition Assistance Program

Description
The Department of Planning & Development Review is currently seeking a Planner Associate who will be responsible for responsible for reviewing building and zoning permits, inspecting property within the City limits for proper adherence to zoning regulations and the issuing of notices and summonses of violations. This is an entry-level position that will provide reviews of building permits.
Duties include but are not limited to

• Investigate properties for zoning and other City Code violations
• Provide professional interpretation of and technical assistance related to the zoning and other related ordinances of the City Code
• Respond to inquiries from and provide correspondence to the public regarding zoning complaints, violations, inspections, and other matters with a high level of customer service by phone, in writing, and in person
• Searching court records, land use records, and other documents
• Research permits for compliance with zoning ordinances
• Prepare for court cases related to zoning enforcement, including preparing evidence required for court hearings, appearing in court, and presenting testimony, as needed
• Attending and presenting at meetings and hearings, at times during non-business hours
• Examining site plans to verify zoning requirements and processing related permits
• Research and preparation of code amendments
• Performing other related duties as assigned

Qualifications, Special Certifications and Licenses
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Basic knowledge and application of planning and zoning, site plans, commercial and residential building plans, real estate, and development regulations
• Basic understanding of engineering principals, land use and zoning law, landscape architecture, architecture, and construction methods
• Basic knowledge of zoning, subdivision and site development ordinances
• Knowledge of re-zoning and special use permit processes
• General knowledge of Plan of Development and Subdivision review processes
• Skills in providing excellent customer service, including dealing with difficult customers
• Being a clear and effective facilitator, including public speaking skills and defending recommendations/positions
• Negotiating and balancing the needs of citizens with economic demands, health and human service needs, goals of private corporations, and land use regulations; and, conducting research
• Ability to analyze information; pay attention to detail
• Communicate planning and local government policy issues to a range of audiences

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in city/urban planning, civil or environmental engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, real estate, law, or a related field
• Three years of experience or an equivalent amount of graduate level training.
• An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Customer service (Face-to-Face, via E-mail and over the telephone)
• Analytical thought processes
• Good writing skills
• Bi-lingual helpful.
• Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS, and/or OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• None required

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The City of Richmond provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
The City of Richmond is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the City of Richmond will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If you require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the job application and/or the interview process, please contact Veronica Kenner, by email at HR-ADA@rva.gov.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
The City of Richmond Values Veterans. We are an official V3 Certified Company.
The City of Richmond is a proud partner with the US Army Partnership for Your Success PaYS Program.
With over 4,000 employees, the City of Richmond is an "Employer of Choice" among cities throughout the nation. The City strives to hire and retain employees who bring dedication and talent to the workforce. Offering a competitive, cost effective, and quality benefits package is one element of an "Employer of Choice".
The City offers a full range of benefit programs from initial hire through retirement. Please visit our Web site for details.
01
10-point compensable veteran. You must have an existing compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more. Other 10-point veteran include disabled veteran or a veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart for wound or injuries received in action, veteran's widow or widower who has not remarried, wife or husband of a veteran who has a service-connected disability, widowed, divorced or separated mother of an ex-service son or daughter who died in action, or who is totally and permanently disabled. Do any of these apply?

• Yes
• No

02
5-point veteran's must have been discharged under honorable conditions and had one of the following:Active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, in a war, or during the period 4/28/52-7/1/55 or active duty for more than 180 consecutive days other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning 2/1/55 and 10/14/76 or active duty during the Gulf War sometime between 8/2/90 - 1/2/92 or active duty in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized or active duty for which more than 180 consecutive days other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning 9/11/2001 and ending on the date prescribed by the Presidential proclamation or by the law as the last date of operation Iraqi Freedom. Do any of these apply?

• Yes
• No

03
Which best describes your highest level of education?

• High School/GED
• Some College
• Associates' Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• None of the above

04
Are you Bilingual?

• Yes
• No

05
If you are Bilingual, what language(s) do you fluently speak?
06
Do you currently have a valid driver's license or are you able to get one within 30 days of hire?

• Yes
• No

07
Which best describes your years of experience as a Planner Associate/Junior Planner/Planner I?

• Less than one year of experience
• One to three years of experience
• Three to five years of experience
• More than five years of experience

08
Which of the following do you have at least one (1) year of experience performing? (Check all that apply)

• Examining site plans
• Verifying zoning requirements
• Conducting field inspections
• Searching court records
• Researching permits for compliance
• Testifying in court
• Interacting with the public
• None of the above

09
Are you a certified by either the American Association of Code Enforcement (AACE) or Virginia Association of Zoning Officials (VAZO)?

• Yes
• No

10
In which of the following do you have a strong working knowledge? (Check all that apply)

• Customer service (Face-to-Face and over the phone)
• Housing or Commercial development experience
• Data analysis
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)/AutoCAD2
• Construction standards
• Code regulations
• Zoning Laws
• Land Use Regulations
• Code of Virginia
• Engineering
• Architecture
• Legal or property search
• Real estate
• Zoning
• None of the above

Required Question