Planner II

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Planner II

Salary

$70,711.26 - $117,851.76 Annually

Location

FAIRFAX (EJ26), VA

Job Type

FT Salary W BN

Job Number

24-02077

Department

Planning and Development

Opening Date

08/31/2024

Closing Date

9/13/2024 11:59 PM Eastern

Pay Grade

S25

Posting Type

Open to General Public

Description

Benefits

Questions

Job Announcement

The mission of the Department of Planning and Development is to promote livable communities which enhance the quality of life for the present and the future. Our purpose is to provide proposals, advice, and assistance on land use, development review, and zoning issues to those who make decisions on such issues in Fairfax County.

Multiple positions are available in Zoning Administration and Evaluation Divisions. The planner(s) selected will be responsible for a variety of functions within the assigned division, including:

Zoning Administration:

Interprets the Zoning Ordinance and responds to zoning inquiries (verbally and in writing). Work products include use determinations, compliance letters, vested rights determinations, and other interpretations of the Zoning Ordinance.

Assists in the research, preparation, outreach, and implementation of text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance which are subject to a public hearing process.

Researches and prepares staff reports and makes presentations on appeals to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Attends meetings, makes presentations, writes reports, collaborates with internal and external customers, and interprets data relating to land use planning and zoning.

Addresses questions as periodic planner-of-the-day.

Performs related duties as required.

Zoning Evaluation:

Serves as the staff coordinator (project manager) and coordinates the review of rezoning, special exception, special permit, and/or variance applications with county staff and applicants.

Coordinates review and analysis of Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and applicable guidance/regulations relating to land use, transportation, public facilities, and environmental planning.

Prepares evaluation and staff recommendations in detailed staff reports and presents findings to the Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors, Board of Zoning Appeals, citizen groups, and county agencies.

Addresses questions as periodic planner-of-the-day.

Performs related duties as required.

The ideal candidate will be a planner with good analytical, organizational, and communication skills, who is looking for a position with the potential for growth and a varied range of job activities.

Note: The salary for this position will generally not exceed the midpoint of the advertised salary range.

Individual must be willing to participate in work assignments and meetings during the evening hours.

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.

Position may be underfilled as a Planner I; the underfill requirements are stated below in the Employment Standards section.

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 staff reports on zoning applications, ordinance amendments, plan amendments, public facility proposals, and appeals of Zoning Administrator's decisions;

Collects and analyzes data and formulates recommendations relating to zoning, land use, public facilities, and environmental planning proposals;

Coordinates evaluation of zoning, land use, public facilities, and environmental proposals and projects;

Negotiates positions on issues, proffers, and conditions on behalf of the County with zoning, plan amendment, and appeal applicants, citizens, County staff and others;

Determines if zoning applications comply with submission requirements;

Enters information and maintains County computer databases and records;

Presents staff positions at public hearings before the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and/or the Park Authority Board and citizen groups;

Responds to planning and zoning inquiries and prepares interpretations both orally and in writing;

May serve as staff liaison to task forces, committees and advisory boards.

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 collect, synthesize and analyze research data and present in written/graphic form;

Ability to analyze and to evaluate land use and development plans and to form sound practical recommendations;

Ability to analyze and prepare statistical reports;

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 speak effectively before individuals, citizen groups and public bodies;

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.

UNDERFILL REQUIREMENTS:

This vacancy may be underfilled at the level of Planner I (S22, $61,257.25 - $102,095.55 ). The employment standards for the Planner I are:

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.

Click here (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/fairfaxcounty/classspecs/970021?keywords=planner%20Ipagetype=classSpecifications) to view the complete details and KSAs for the Planner I . Upon completion of an underfill agreement (which will require that the employee meet the employment standards stated above in addition to obtaining competencies and licensures defined by the hiring agency) the employee will be elevated to the level o f Planner II .

Underfill candidates must be able to meet the minimum qualifications of the Planner II within one year of the job announcement's closing date of 9/13/24.

BRIDGE CLASS EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

Four years of increasingly complex technical experience in the assigned functional area, comparable to experience at the Planning Technician II, or higher, level. This class can serve as a bridge class enabling individuals who do not meet the educational or professional experience standards listed above to qualify for this class by possessing four years of increasingly complex technical experience in the assigned functional area, comparable to experience at the Planning Technician II, or higher, level. The purpose of this bridge class is to promote upward mobility within the Fairfax County workforce. However, persons qualifying for this class on the basis of their technical experience may not substitute this technical experience for education, or for professional experience, in order to qualify for other employment opportunities.

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 or a closely related field and AICP membership. Public sector planning experience in zoning administration, zoning evaluation, development review, or land use planning, and experience reviewing complex plans, development plans, survey plats, and other zoning related legal documents. Strong written and oral communication skills, and experience presenting information to government entities, various committees, and the public. Experience using a personal computer and Microsoft Office Suite applications.

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 the employee 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. [email protected]. EEO/AA/TTY.

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