Open Space Planner I/II/III

James City County•Williamsburg, VA

19d

About The Position

James City County's Community Development Department is seeking an experienced, knowledgeable, and collaborative Open Space Planner. The position serves as stewardship manager for the County's conservation easements and properties and supports preservation of the County's natural and cultural assets through planning and development processes. The role has three levels—Planner I, II, and III—distinguished by the level of work performed and employee qualifications. The Planner monitors and enforces the County's open space conservation easement portfolio, including building case histories, preparing baselines, documenting property changes, maintaining records, issuing notifications, conducting site visits or remote monitoring with satellite imagery, meeting with property owners, preparing monitoring reports, and following up on compliance concerns and inquiries. The position reviews easement approvals and potential violations, makes recommendations, prepares reports, conducts site visits and inspections, and drafts and reviews easements. It also implements computer-based monitoring and inspection systems, including GIS and database management tools. The Planner coordinates interdepartmental and interagency reviews, presents projects and cases to committees and boards, and acts as a liaison to local and regional committees, appointed boards, and the Board of Supervisors. The position contributes to projects and policies concerning development and open space preservation, works with citizens on easement issues, responds to citizen and media inquiries, and provides guidance and training to property owners and monitoring volunteers. Planner II performs independent, detailed work on projects, policies, and recommendations concerning development and open space preservation. Planner III performs complex, independent, detailed work; may supervise volunteers; oversees team-oriented projects and studies; takes a lead role on sensitive or significant easement applications; and prepares recommendations and reports on assigned cases. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in planning, environmental science, biology, ecology, civil engineering, or a natural resource management field.
Possess, or be able to obtain within 30 days of hire, a valid Virginia driver's license and have an acceptable driving record under James City County criteria.
Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Compile and analyze technical and geospatial information and prepare reports, plans, policies, ordinances, and other planning documents.
Prepare and clearly present technical information to large groups and the public.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with professional colleagues, employees, representatives of other public agencies, and the public.
Negotiate effectively and work as a team member.
Read and interpret building plans, site plans, conceptual plans, and subdivision plats.

Responsibilities

Monitor and enforce the County's conservation easements, including maintaining case histories and records, preparing baselines and monitoring reports, documenting property changes, conducting site visits or remote monitoring, notifying and meeting with property owners, and following up on compliance concerns.
Review legislative and administrative easement approvals and potential violations for compliance with easement requirements; conduct site visits and inspections; draft and review easements; and prepare recommendations and reports on assigned cases.
Implement and maintain computer-based monitoring and inspection databases or tracking programs, including GIS and database management tools.
Manage assigned projects and cases by coordinating interdepartmental and interagency review.
Present projects, reports, cases, and other materials and serve as a liaison to local and regional committees, appointed boards, and the Board of Supervisors.
Participate in developing projects, policies, and recommendations concerning development and open space preservation in the County.
Work with citizens on conservation easement issues and respond to citizen and media inquiries related to easements and the Natural and Cultural Assets Plan.
Provide guidance and training to property owners and monitoring volunteers; help create and organize training materials and recommend improvements to training procedures and materials.
At Planner II level, independently perform detailed work on projects, policies, and recommendations concerning development and open space preservation.
At Planner III level, perform complex, independent, detailed work; supervise volunteers as needed; oversee team-oriented projects and studies; lead sensitive or significant easement applications; and prepare recommendations and reports on assigned cases.
Perform other duties as assigned.