Senior Planner (Planner III)

Salary : $81,382.29 - $135,637.01 Annually
Location : FAIRFAX (EJ26), VA
Job Type: FT Salary W BN
Job Number: 25-00630
Department: Planning and Development
Opening Date: 03/15/2025
Closing Date: 4/4/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S28
Posting Type: Open to General Public

Job Announcement

Works within the Urban Centers Section to review and provide comments on developer rezoning applications in the Tysons and Reston areas, focusing on Comprehensive Plan guidance, the county Zoning Ordinance, and urban design guidelines. Helps solve complex challenges associated with urban style redevelopment, including balancing site design, land use, and infrastructure needs for projects along the Metrorail's Silver Line and as well as other urbanizing, transit-oriented areas of Fairfax County.

Participates in a collaborative team environment, representing the guidance of both the Comprehensive Plan and associated urban design guidelines. Application evaluation and implementation activities are focused on urban design; placemaking; streetscape design; utility and infrastructure impacts; urban parks; land use, and industry best practices.

Also manages the development and implementation of progress reports, planning tools, plan and design guidance, and policy updates, as needed. Establishes and maintains relationships with community groups, businesses, and professional organizations and assist with outreach, collaboration, information-sharing, current planning, and long-term planning to strengthen the public-private dynamic.

Must be able to work both independently as a researcher or dedicated resource for Urban Centers Section activities and in a team environment, particularly on special projects that address the challenges of urban style and infill development. The position requires preparation of a variety of written materials including land use and urban design analyses, reports, studies, and public hearing items. Will make presentations before a variety of audiences, such as county staff, citizen groups, as well as the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. Performs other duties as assigned.
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.)
Represents the county in negotiations of proffers, conditions, and positions with applicants, citizens, county staff;
Collects, compiles and analyzes data relating to zoning, land use, transportation, public facilities, recreational, and environmental planning and prepares documents;
Presents staff positions at public hearings before the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and/or Park Authority Board;
Responds to land use, planning, and zoning inquiries and prepares interpretations both orally and in writing;
Coordinates with other county agencies, interest groups and other jurisdictions on various assignments;
Serves as lead planner for a revitalization area;
Serves as staff liaison to task forces and advisory boards;
Serves as mentor for other Planners in the series.
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.)
Advanced 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 documents with only limited, oversight supervision;
Ability to collect, synthesize and analyze research data and to present in written form;
Ability to analyze and evaluate land use and development plans and to form sound practical recommendations;
Ability to use a computer to access information, to 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 and to respond to questions effectively before individuals, citizen groups and public bodies;
Ability to prepare clear and concise written and oral reports;
Ability to set individual priorities, to manage time efficiently, and to exhibit sound judgment;
Ability to manage complex projects independently or to serve as a team leader;
Ability to meet and to deal effectively with county representatives, clients and the public;
Ability to identify effective solutions to process or programmatic problems.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
(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:
Advanced degree in Planning, Public Management, Landscape Architecture or Architecture. Senior-level planning and project management experience. Knowledge and experience in the review and implementation of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) development plans. Application of urban design guidelines in development reviews. Effective negotiation with developer applicants and interested stakeholders. Communication experience with public officials, private developers and citizen groups. Ability to develop creative urban design solutions. Effective written and oral communication skills. Data management and analysis experience. Development of publications or web and print communication tools. Understanding of Virginia planning and zoning-enabling legislation, including implementation of Comprehensive Plans and application of Zoning Ordinances. Experience with Adobe Creative Suite and Geographic Information System (GIS).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work is based in a standard office environment using standard office equipment. Must be able to enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard and must be able to make verbal and written presentations. Work assignments may also require that the employee conduct site visits and inspections 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 () 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. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.

#LI-LD1
Merit Positions

Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• LiveWell Program
• Flexible Spending Programs
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
• Paid Holidays
• Contributory Retirement Plan
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees' Child Care Center
• Commuter Benefit Program
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program:

For additional details please visit the
Non-Merit Positions

Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Flexible Spending Program
• Deferred Compensation

Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.

• No benefits

01

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Less than 12th grade
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Doctorate degree

02

If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a degree.

• Less than 45 quarter hours
• 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
• 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
• 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
• 180 or more quarter hours
• Less than 30 semester hours
• 30 to less than 60 semester hours
• 60 to less than 90 semester hours
• 90 to less than 120 semester hours
• 120 or more semester hours
• Not applicable

03

Please indicate all major(s) or minor(s) for your completed degree(s). Check all that apply.

• Urban and regional planning
• Geography
• Landscape architecture
• Urban design
• Environmental planning
• Land use planning
• Other (related field)
• Other (non-related field)
• Not applicable

04

If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list all of your majors and minors. If this question does not pertain to you, or you do not have a degree, enter "Not applicable".
05

How many years of full-time equivalent professional experience in a planning-related field do you possess?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight or more years

06

How many years of professional experience do you possess in planning or zoning related work?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight or more years

07

Please indicate if you have experience in the following areas. Check all that apply.

• Evaluating zoning applications
• Review of Comprehensive Plan amendments
• Reviewing site plans
• Interpreting zoning ordinance provisions/proffers
• None of the above

08

What type of professional planning or engineering experience do you possess? Check all that apply.

• Public sector
• Private sector
• Consulting
• Other
• None of the above

09

If you answered "Other" for the previous question, please indicate the area of professional planning, land use or heritage resources experience that you possess. If this does not apply to you, enter "Not applicable".
10

How many years of communication experience do you have with public officials, private developers, and/or citizen groups?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

11

How many years of project management experience do you possess?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

12

How many years of experience do you have in the review and implementation of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) plans?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

13

How many years of data management and analysis experience do you have?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

14

How many years of experience do you have using Adobe Creative Suite?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

15

How many years of experience do you have with Geographic Information System (GIS)?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

Required Question