Senior Planner

Position Summary Churchill County is recruiting a Senior Planner to run the County’s overall planning operations. This position serves as the subject matter expert on a wide range of topics related to planning. Being a small office allows this position to engage in a great diversity of planning work in both rural and urban settings, including: As the Senior Planner for Churchill County you will serve as a subject matter expert on a wide range of planning topics including land division, variances and rezoning, Project Review, zoning and master plan updates, coordination with local, state, and federal officials on impactful projects. You would make presentations before the public at Planning Commission and County Commissioner meetings, and at other public forums as needed. Because of the diversity of work, you will always be challenged with learning new things. So, the position demands a person with great curiosity and initiative to take on those challenges. Our department prides itself on friendliness and willingness to help people navigate the permitting world. Developers comment on the County being their favorite location to do business, and our residents greatly appreciate our help in solving their problems. Similarly, our departments work hard to support each other in their work, and this position provides guidance to them on planning related matters. The Senior Planner oversees the planning operations with a team under the Public Works Director. This position works with other members of the planning department to ensure all planning functions of the County are completed. If this position sounds interesting to you and you believe you are qualified, apply online at www.churchillcounty.org/careers. The application deadline is February 22, 2026. Essential Functions To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Receives and processes applications for variances, rezoning, specific plan amendments, land division maps, annexations, use permits, and related zoning/planning and regulation items. Reviews construction and development plans for conformity to codes and regulations; processes routine and complex plans and applications, variances, and use permits. Understands, explains and enforces provisions of County codes, applicable laws, regulations, and other policies and standards to potential applicants and the public. Communicates with developers and conveys policies on development-related matters. Updates water rights ownership database; provides information to Truckee-Carson Irrigation District to submit annual temporary water transfers to State Nevada Engineer's Office; provides information to consultant to submit temporary water transfers for re-vegetation and dust control. Monitors status of development applications from receipt of application to issuance of final permit. May provide work direction and instruction to technical or office support staff; may assist in instructing less experienced professional staff. Conducts research studies and prepares reports and recommendations regarding planning and zoning related issues. Conducts research studies and prepares reports and recommendations regarding planning and zoning related issues. Researches and reviews plans for ordinance regulations; provides specific information to engineers, architects, contractors, developers, property owners, etc. regarding codes, regulations and procedures; assists in development of ordinances. Prepares a variety of written communications, including analytical reports and correspondence; directs the preparation of graphic materials. Develops and provides oral and graphic presentations or prepares materials for presentation to Boards, commissions and community groups. Coordinates efforts of County Planning Office with regional government agencies, community groups, State and federal agencies; attends public meetings and presents information on planning related issues. Researches and understands laws, regulations, and pertinent information related to planning activities. Represents the County with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and the public. Qualifications Education and Experience Bachelor's degree in planning, or a closely related field; AND five (5) years of professional planning related experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Required Knowledge and Skills: Knowledge of: Objectives, principles, procedures, standards, practices, information sources and trends of planning and zoning. Statistical analysis and mathematical concepts related to the planning process. Terminology, symbols, methods, techniques and instruments used in planning graphics and map drafting. Standard office practices and procedures. Computer applications related to the work to include GIS and mapping software. Record keeping principles and practices. Correct business English, including spelling, grammar and punctuation. Techniques for dealing with the public, in person and over the telephone. Skill in: Researching, analyzing, and summarizing planning data. Interpreting maps, site and building plans and specifications, graphs and statistical data. Preparing clear, concise and complete technical documents, reports, correspondence and other written materials. Reading, analyzing and interpreting plans, blueprints, and other related documents. Exercising sound independent judgment within established procedural guidelines. Working without close supervision in standard work situations. Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work. Representing the County in contacts with county officials, community and other agencies and the public and making effective presentations. Maintaining accurate records and files. Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or department goals, objectives and activities. Required Certificates, Licenses and Registrations Nevada Driver's License. Physical Demands and Working Environment The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Mobility to work in a typical office setting and use standard office equipment; stamina to sit for extended periods of time; strength and agility to lift and carry up to 20 pounds; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate over the telephone and in person. Conditions of Employment Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation. New employees are required to submit to a background investigation and if hired for a safety-sensitive position, a drug/alcohol screen. Employment is contingent upon passing the background and the drug/alcohol screen (if applicable). Churchill County participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS, with information from each applicant's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered employment must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made. This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required. DISCLAIMER: Churchill County provides benefits to regular employees. Benefits are prorated for some part time, regular positions (depending on job). Most part time positions provide no benefits. No Nevada state income tax Retirement Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) of Nevada - Churchill County contributes 36.75% of an eligible Regular Member's salary for retirement. Churchill County contributes 58.75% of an eligible Police Member's salary for retirement. Retirement benefits are available to employees hired in positions that work 20 hours per week or more on a regular basis. Positions of less than 20 hours per week (or less than 1040 hours in a fiscal year) will receive Social Security contributions and will not be enrolled in PERS. Deferred Compensation Plans Employees can also participate in the VOYA 457 deferred compensation plan, which is funded by the employee. This allows the employee to save money in pre-tax dollars toward retirement. Cafeteria Health Coverage Plan – Full-time employees' health insurance begins the first of the month after one month of employment. (Employees must work an average 30 or more hours per week on a regular basis to qualify for health insurance coverage.) The county offers a "Cafeteria" health plan to full-time employees, which allows employees to pick and choose the best health plan for them and their family. The county offers three health plans - a base PPO plan with a $1,500 deductible, a "buy-up" PPO plan with a $750 deductible, and a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a $2,700 deductible and a Health Savings Account (HSA), to which the county contributes $177 per month. In addition, the county also provides the following: a prescription plan, a dental plan, and a vision plan. The county currently contributes 100% of the employee premiums for the base PPO plan and the HDHP, as well as for the prescription, dental, and vision plans. Employees who elect dependent coverage pay 100% of the dependent premiums - employees can elect to have those premiums deducted in pre-tax dollars. Vacation Leave Full-time, regular county employees scheduled to work 40 hours per week accrue 8 hours per month of annual (vacation) leave per year. Part-time, regular county employees accrue annual (vacation) leave vacation at a prorated amount depending the number of hours worked. Employees earn additional annual leave hours at 5, 10, 15, and 25 years of service up to a maximum of 240 hours (30 days) per year. While on probation an employee is not granted vacation leave for the first six months; the employee still accrues vacation leave during this time and will be credited with 48 hours of vacation leave after six months of employment in their regular position. Sick Leave Full-time, regular county employees scheduled 10 hours of sick leave per month, with no maximum accrual. Part-time, regular employees accrue sick leave at a prorated amount depending the number of hours worked. HOLIDAYS - Regular county employees enjoy 12 paid holidays per calendar year including New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Nevada Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Family Day (Friday after Thanksgiving), and Christmas Day. In addition, County employees are entitled to one floating holiday per year, to be used at a time agreed to by the employee and his or her supervisor. (Regular, part-time employees receive prorated holidays based on the number of hours normally worked.) Tuition Reimbursement Churchill County values it's employees and empowers all employees to enhance their skills by taking job-related college courses as well as participating in job related workshops and seminars. To that end, for regular employees the county has a generous Tuition Reimbursement policy for accredited courses, reimbursing up to $1,200 per year in educational expenses.