Planner III

This job opportunity is being re-announced.  Applicants who previously applied for this job do not need to re-apply.

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 analysis 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/as 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, research and analysis, and may assist with employment forecasting activities. Conferring with other elements for the 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: This announcement may be used to fill multiple positions. 

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.

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. 
• 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. 
• Ability to use GIS and design applications.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• 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 may also require that the employee make site visits and inspections. Employee must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

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

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% 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. [email protected]. EEO/AA/TTY.