Deputy Director / Engineering and Right-of-Way Services

Are you a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) ready to lead, innovate, and make a lasting impact in a vibrant community? The City of Alexandria is looking for a dynamic and forward-thinking leader to serve as Deputy Director of Development and Right-of-Way Services (DROW) within the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES).

In this high-impact role, you’ll guide the City’s development review process and oversee multidisciplinary teams responsible for survey and land records management, right-of-way permitting, and construction inspection. You’ll play a key role in shaping Alexandria’s growth while ensuring projects are delivered efficiently, safely, and in alignment with community goals.

As a visible leader, you’ll represent T&ES at major public meetings, collaborating with residents, developers, and stakeholders. Strong communication skills—both written and verbal—are essential as you help navigate complex issues and build consensus.

We’re seeking a leader who thrives in a collaborative environment and can inspire a diverse team of professional, technical, and front-line staff. You’ll be entrusted to make sound, strategic decisions; resolve challenges with the development community; and balance competing priorities while keeping the City’s best interests at the forefront.

Reporting directly to the T&ES Director, you’ll oversee the Permit Center, survey operations, and construction inspection teams—driving excellence in service delivery and continuous improvement.

If you’re passionate about public service, leadership, and shaping the future of a thriving city, we invite you to bring your expertise to Alexandria.

• Leads in the planning, organizing and directing of T&ES permit center staff and actions including issuance of permits, plans review, and field inspection activities carried out by the division, as well as liaising with other associated departments, outside agencies, builders and the general public
• Prepares and manages annual operating budget and capital budget submissions, oversees the DROW budget for both operating expenses and Capital Improvement Projects
• Supervises the administrative and permit center technical staff by developing annual goals and objectives, providing guidance, resolving complex customer service experiences, maintaining and approving employee leave, and completing performance evaluations
• Leads, plans, and evaluates customer service and ongoing operating improvements in development services and a multi-departmental permit center with strong focus on customer service and transitioning to electronic plan review
• Supervises a land records/survey team, a utility coordination unit and construction inspectors who must review and accept public improvements constructed through private development. Focusing on insuring compliance with stormwater management regulations including erosion and sediment control
• Represents the department before the Planning Commission, City Council, other boards, commissions, committees and civic associations to defend and discuss projects, programs, and operations. This includes the ability to prepare written materials and make oral arguments that address complex issues with clarity and diplomacy
• Establishes standards and procedures to guide the development review and right of way processes within the City
• Builds and maintains relationships within the development community and other stakeholders by acting as the liaison for the department, reporting and/or presenting to various community groups and serving on various committees, maintaining positive and productive working relationships with departmental and City staff, the public and adjacent jurisdictions
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to the work of the group and make the procedural changes necessary to keep the city in compliance
• Performs other duties as required.

T&ES is a community partner in shaping a livable, green, and prospering Alexandria. We plan, build, operate, and maintain transportation systems and infrastructure that improve mobility and provide people and businesses with core public services. The work we do keeps Alexandrians moving, growing sustainability, and thriving. If you are curious for a broader view of our City government click here, or for a broader view of the City of Alexandria click here.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

The Ideal Candidate

To qualify for this position, all candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering; five years of progressively responsible at a management level in civil engineering design, construction practice, and/or plan review and registration as a professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia and/or ability to obtain registration within 6 months from the date of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

To be considered as an ideal candidate, one should also possess a master's degree in an area of Civil Engineering; municipal government experience; post PE registration experience seven (7) to ten (10) years. The candidate should have the ability to lead and coordinate a diverse team of engineers and front-line staff. The candidate must possess a strong oral and written communication skills, as this position requires representing the City before public bodies.

Notes

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to drug testing, criminal background.

The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, military status, or disability.