Planner III

Job Announcement

Fairfax County is the largest jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia with over 1.1 million people. This urbanizing county has a history of stable political leadership, effective citizen engagement, and outstanding service delivery. Fairfax County is seeking a Planner III to serve as a senior planner and project manager leading complex comprehensive planning studies and amendments, including site-specific, small area, and Countywide Policy Plan Amendments and/or policy development; conducting land use and environmental analysis for development proposals; and/or conceptual site planning and visualizations of development proposals.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in one or more of the following tasks:

• Serving as a senior planner and project manager on comprehensive planning activities and policy work such as supporting and managing moderate to complex planning studies, plan amendments, and/or review and analyses of development or public facility applications for conformance with the Comprehensive Plan. Formulates work programs; conducts analyses on existing conditions and trends; and develops and leads public engagement activities related to projects. Special emphasis on complex applications for mixed use, transit-oriented development centers and revitalization areas. Conducting analysis of sites for potential development and preparing a variety of illustrative materials such as conceptual plans of development scenarios, 3-dimensional visualizations, GIS maps and analysis, and qualitative and quantitative analysis.
• Gathering data and preparing reports on complex issues as requested by the branch chief.
• Researching, analyzing and presenting findings and recommendations to different audiences, such as county staff, applicants, community groups, planning commission and board of supervisors, or other public meetings, on planning studies, complicated development applications and assigned tasks.
• Overseeing research for studies. Collecting data through resource material and field investigation. Analyzing data, using appropriate methodologies. Preparing results for written and oral presentations.
• Providing oversight for/or staff liaison to task forces, committees, boards and commissions. May serve as leader of staff team or consultant studies;
• May also be responsible for Plan monitoring, quantification, and may assist with employment forecasting activities. Conferring with other elements of county government to ensure adequate and timely completion of jointly prepared work products.
• Attending meetings and making presentations to the board of supervisors, planning commission, and citizen groups. Compiling appropriate documents and graphics for presentations.
• Writing, preparing and contributing to the development of documents as needed, such as reports, memoranda, correspondence, research or issue papers, public hearing items, and comprehensive plan amendments.
• Performing related duties as required. Participating in work assignments and meetings during the evening hours.

Note: Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. The salary for this position will not exceed the midpoint of the advertised salary range.

In accordance with current Fairfax County telework and personnel policies, this position is eligible for partial telework. Telework enrollment and continuance are subject to supervisor approval and county policy. 

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)
Prepares detailed staff reports on complex zoning applications, Ordinance amendments, Plan amendments, public facilities proposals, and appeals of the Zoning Administrator's decisions;
Represents the county in negotiations of proffers, conditions, and positions with applicants, citizens, county staff;
Conducts special studies resulting in the adoption of amended Plan text, the formulation of new land use policy, and/or amendments to the Zoning Ordinance;
Reviews complex zoning applications for compliance with submission requirements, and maintains county computer databases and records;
Collects, compiles and analyzes data relating to zoning, land use, transportation, public facilities, recreational, and environmental planning and prepares documents;
Presents staff positions at public hearings before the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and/or Park Authority Board;
Responds to land use, planning, and zoning inquiries and prepares interpretations both orally and in writing;
Coordinates with other county agencies, interest groups and other jurisdictions on various assignments;
Serves as lead planner for a revitalization area;
Directs the work of a team or a small group of planners and planning technicians working on a special project;
Supervises the work of a smaller work unit;
Assists in the administration and management of work programs involving the administration, enforcement, interpretation and amendment of the Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan;
Serves as staff liaison to task forces and advisory boards;
Serves as mentor for other Planners in the series;
Conducts park master planning process and prepares related plans and reports;
Performs project management including contracting consultants, preparing schedules and administering the project budget. 

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)
Advanced knowledge of the principles of urban planning and zoning;
Ability to read, comprehend, and interpret documents relating to land use, zoning, environmental planning, public facilities, and information technology, among others;
Ability to write, proofread, edit, and rewrite documents effectively and to produce accurate documents with only limited, oversight supervision;
Ability to collect, synthesize and analyze research data and to present in written form;
Ability to analyze and evaluate land use and development plans and to form sound practical recommendations;
Ability to use a computer to access information, to conduct research and to perform basic word processing and spreadsheet operations;
Ability to establish and to maintain good working relationships with co-workers, elected and appointed officials, development representatives and citizens;
Ability to speak and to respond to questions effectively before individuals, citizen groups and public bodies;
Ability to prepare clear and concise written and oral reports;
Ability to set individual priorities, to manage time efficiently, and to exhibit sound judgment;
Ability to manage complex projects independently or to serve as a team leader;
Ability to meet and to deal effectively with county representatives, clients and the public;
Ability to identify effective solutions to process or programmatic problems. 

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in a planning related field; plus four years of experience in a planning-related field.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:  
 

• Master’s degree in planning, landscape architecture, or closely related field. 
   
• Ability to use Geographic Information System (GIS) technology and design applications. 
• Extensive professional experience in planning, policy development, project management, presentation, group facilitation, and community engagement. 
• Public agency experience in planning for mixed use, transit-oriented development, and infill and revitalization proposals. 
• Professional project management experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication abilities. 
• Strong analytical skills.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 
Position is primarily sedentary; however, employee may be required to do some walking, standing, bending and carrying of items under 15 lbs. in weight. Work assignments will also require the employee to make site visits. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE: 
Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.  
 
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.