Planner II

Job Announcement

Fairfax County boasts a top-notch school system, safe neighborhoods, thousands of acres of parkland, and bustling town centers. County government sits at the heart of this dynamic community of almost 1.2 million residents and seeks employees eager to bring their energy, enthusiasm and skills to serve Fairfax residents and to shape the county's future. Land Development Services (LDS) is the steward of the county's land development and building construction codes and regulations, and its staff members embrace their essential role as "first preventers." Every day, through careful review, permitting and inspection of site and building construction, our staff protect the health, safety, welfare, and environment for those who live in, work in, and visit Fairfax County. Our department also serves as the gateway to much of the county's economic development, reviewing over 30,000 building and site plan submissions, issuing nearly 70,000 building permits, and conducting over 220,000 building and site inspections each year. If you would like to join a creative, collaborative, innovative team doing meaningful work, then LDS is the place for you.

This position provides technical support and oversight of proffers and development conditions with a focus on implementation and compliance. Reviews, analyzes, and interprets proffers and development conditions to ensure compliance with all applicable approved entitlements. Creates and manages proffer and development condition tracking tools, systems, and databases. Assists in management, enforcement, compliance, and resolution of issues and inquiries related to development conditions and proffers on land development projects following zoning approval and through bond release. Serves as team member for new and existing development projects and acts as a liaison to stakeholders. Coordinates with agency staff and industry representatives regarding the implementation and enforcement of proffers and development conditions throughout all stages of the permitting process. Maintains, reports, processes, and troubleshoots proffer information on site and building records. Develops and presents recommended courses of action to resolve proffer non-compliance issues. Assists in training and outreach efforts. Assists in process improvement initiates and the development of standard operating procedures. Communicates land development regulations to contractors, developers, engineers, sureties, other governmental agencies, and citizens.

Duties and Responsibilities include :

Proffer Implementation and Enforcement Coordination : Applies approved proffers and development conditions to administrative plans to identify interrelationships and implementation strategies. Communicate compliance issues and implementation strategies to co-workers, elected and appointed officials, development representatives, and citizens.

Research, Customer Service and Communication : Collects, analyzes, and interprets data in order to determine compliance with approved proffers and development conditions and communicates expectations regarding compliance. Functions as project manager to assist stakeholders in reaching compliance.

Process Improvements : Assists in process development and system enhancements for proffer compliance, including serving as team lead. Develops and maintains proffer compliance SOPs, webpages, and training materials for industry and staff. Assists in the preparation and presentation of training sessions on proffer compliance.

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.)

• Working 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 final documents;
• Ability to use a computer to access information, 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 meet and to deal effectively with County representatives, applicants and the public;

Ability to work independently, to set individual priorities, to manage time effectively and to apply consistently sound judgment.

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 two 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 :

Masters degree in a planning related field.

Experience in the review of various types of engineering, construction, planning, zoning, and / or building related documents.

Effective communicator, both orally and in written communications.

Strong interpersonal and public relations skills to work effectively with various officials, staff members in a team setting, citizens, and other customers.

Experience in writing, reviewing, analyzing, and / or interpreting proffers or development conditions associated with legislative entitlement applications or professional experience in zoning and / or proffer administration.

Experience with a local government.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

Position is primarily sedentary, however, employee may be required to do some walking, standing, bending and carrying of items up to 10 pounds in weight. Work assignments may also require that the employee make site visits. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE :

Panel Interview and may include a practical exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian / Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for 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. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO / AA / TTY.#LI-RS1