Development Review Section Supervisor (Planner IV)

Fairfax County • Fairfax (Ej26), VA

11d • Onsite

About The Position

Join the Park Authority and our nationally recognized team of professionals! This position will work a part of one of the most highly regarded park systems in the country. With over 425 parks and 23,000 acres of parkland including Recenters, nature centers, historic sites, golf courses, lakefront parks, and more, FCPA is an exciting organization to be a part of and there are many opportunities for staff to make a difference at every level. As one of the Park Authority's lead planners, this position directs, guides, and manages review of rezoning applications, Comprehensive Plan amendments, and a range of other types of development plans and applications processed by park planning staff. This position will be a leader in advancing agency efforts to incorporate racial and social equity into park planning and design practices. Manages multi-discipline professional planning and technical staff in a team environment and routinely collaborates with other county agencies and entities to conduct plan review and analysis. Also serves as an agency expert on urban park planning and design, guiding staff and performing independent review of specialized, complex development plans, especially those in the county’s growth areas such as Tysons and other urban cores, the Richmond Highway corridor, Metro-related mixed-use sites, and town centers. Will also be a leader who must be able to operate independently, exercising experienced professional judgement, and take creative initiative to guide staff to start, complete, and close out a variety of highly complex, collaborative, and important planning tasks.

Requirements

• Thorough knowledge of the Zoning Ordinance, the adopted Comprehensive Plan and County policies and procedures as they relate to planning and zoning applications
• Thorough knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of urban planning and zoning
• Thorough knowledge of local government areas of specialization, including planning or zoning, management procedures, and principles of supervision
• Ability to write, proofread, edit, and rewrite documents effectively and to critique and edit the work of others in the series
• Ability to apply interpersonal skills to resolve conflicts and to maintain effective communication with staff
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers, elected and appointed officials, development representatives, and citizen groups
• Ability to coordinate the preparation of comprehensive planning and technical zoning reports
• Ability to apply principles of leadership, creative problem solving, collaboration, decision making, and team building
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in a planning related field
• Five years of experience in a planning-related field
• The appointee to the position will be required to complete a criminal background check, and child protective services registry to the satisfaction of the employer

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in planning, landscape architecture, urban design, or related area
• Certified Planner (AICP/APA), Professional Landscape Architect (PLA/ASLA), or Registered Architect (RA/AIA)
• Experience leading a team of professional staff including developing work plans, mentoring, and coaching junior planning staff on highly complex development plans
• Experience incorporating racial and social equity principles in planning, design, and leadership practices
• Experience in the review of high-profile, complex, mixed-use, and/or transit-oriented (TOD) development plans
• Proficiency using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in the current version of ArcView, online survey and public input software, and Microsoft Productivity software including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams
• Familiarity using and updating databases is also preferred
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication and collaboration skills
• Bilingual in English and another language

Responsibilities

• Manages complex, multi-faceted zoning applications or planning studies in specific high profile development areas, such as Tysons and other urban cores, Metro-related mixed use sites, or town centers and represents the County in negotiation of proffers, conditions, and positions with applicants, citizens, County staff, other jurisdictions, State and/or Federal government
• Manages special projects and studies, including directing the work of a team or work group of planners and planning technicians or others, from within and outside of the Department to include contracting consultants, preparing schedules, and administering the project budget
• Represents the Department or County and serves as an internal expert on panels, committees, and task forces and may propose planning and zoning policies and amendments to the Zoning Ordinance or Comprehensive Planning response to a variety of complex policy and land issues
• Represents the Department's positions at public hearings before the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and/or Park Authority Board, among others
• As representative of the Department, coordinates with other County agencies, interest groups, and jurisdictions on highly specialized policy, zoning, and land use issues
• Prepares detailed position papers and staff reports on complex zoning applications, Ordinance amendments, Plan amendments, public facility proposals, appeals of the Reviews and provides comments and direction on the work of others in the planner series related to area of expertise, acting as an internal consultant to the department and a mentor to other planners
• Responds to complex land use, planning, and zoning inquiries and requests
• Supervises advanced and complex planning and zoning work
• Serves as expert witness in litigation involving particular area of expertise

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior