What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal Planner position at City of Alexandria, Virginia?
PRINCIPAL PLANNER
2 Positions
Grade 24
The City of Alexandria is located in Northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia and Maryland (Potomac River), Arlington, and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 160,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest City in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. About one-quarter of the City's square miles have been designated as a national or local historic district. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for a Principal Planner position in the Land Use Services Division in the City’s Department of Planning & Zoning.
Land Use Services Division
The Land Use Services (LUS) Division of the Department of Planning & Zoning (P&Z) consists of three units: the Zoning Unit, the Non-Development Services Unit and the Historic Preservation Unit. One of these two Principal Planner positions would be responsible for overseeing the Non-Development Services Unit and the other, in conjunction with the City’s Historic Preservation Architect, would oversee the Historic Preservation Unit.
The Non-Development Services Unit manages administration of all commercially related Special Use Permit (SUP) applications whether reviewed administratively or by the Planning Commission, manages the City’s Short Term Residential Rental Program, and undertakes special projects particularly those related to business regulations. The Historic Preservation Unit manages administration of Board of Architectural Review applications for compliance with historic district requirements in the City's two historic districts and reviews proposals for new structures in those districts in order to maintain the high-quality reputation and character of the City's historic buildings. The Historic Preservation staff also conducts inventories of historic structures and provides guidance to homeowners and other building owners seeking to reinvest in the city’s historic neighborhoods.
The Overview
These Principal Planner positions report to the Chief of LUS and are responsible for performing a variety of supervisory functions and they both manage complex operations involving overseeing small teams professional planners processing both administrative and public hearing land use applications for special use permits, demolition and/or alterations of buildings within the City’s two historic districts, leading special projects pertaining to Zoning Text Amendments, coordinating community meetings around special projects and preparing and presenting staff reports to the City Manager, Planning Commission and City Council and/or Board of Architectural Review.
What You Should Bring
LUS Principal Planners are highly motivated, creative and responsible leaders with strong organizational skills and professional knowledge in the following areas: supervision, project management, local zoning regulations, site plan review, regulatory and financial analysis, written and oral communication, and customer service. The ideal candidates must be able to develop and organize clear work plans, which balance the timely processing of land use applications and keep special projects and overall work plans on track. A clear understanding of local municipal zoning, historic preservation, strong customer service and the ability to work with a diverse staff and community, coordinate with sister agencies inside and outside the City, and a variety of other stakeholders, including the development community, small property owners and the business and preservation communities is required.
The Opportunity – Examples of Work
Master's Degree or more than five years of progressive planning experience specifically in the areas of zoning, urban planning and historic preservation; at least three years experience in supervision of urban planners and three years experience in project management of land use cases and regulatory research; proficiency in Microsoft Suite, Adobe Suite, ARC GIS and land use information systems; proven ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing to diverse colleagues and communities; to various planning related stakeholder group; and to various levels of of government. Certification in the American Institute of Certified Planners.
This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks.
2 Positions
Grade 24
The City of Alexandria is located in Northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia and Maryland (Potomac River), Arlington, and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 160,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest City in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. About one-quarter of the City's square miles have been designated as a national or local historic district. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for a Principal Planner position in the Land Use Services Division in the City’s Department of Planning & Zoning.
Land Use Services Division
The Land Use Services (LUS) Division of the Department of Planning & Zoning (P&Z) consists of three units: the Zoning Unit, the Non-Development Services Unit and the Historic Preservation Unit. One of these two Principal Planner positions would be responsible for overseeing the Non-Development Services Unit and the other, in conjunction with the City’s Historic Preservation Architect, would oversee the Historic Preservation Unit.
The Non-Development Services Unit manages administration of all commercially related Special Use Permit (SUP) applications whether reviewed administratively or by the Planning Commission, manages the City’s Short Term Residential Rental Program, and undertakes special projects particularly those related to business regulations. The Historic Preservation Unit manages administration of Board of Architectural Review applications for compliance with historic district requirements in the City's two historic districts and reviews proposals for new structures in those districts in order to maintain the high-quality reputation and character of the City's historic buildings. The Historic Preservation staff also conducts inventories of historic structures and provides guidance to homeowners and other building owners seeking to reinvest in the city’s historic neighborhoods.
The Overview
These Principal Planner positions report to the Chief of LUS and are responsible for performing a variety of supervisory functions and they both manage complex operations involving overseeing small teams professional planners processing both administrative and public hearing land use applications for special use permits, demolition and/or alterations of buildings within the City’s two historic districts, leading special projects pertaining to Zoning Text Amendments, coordinating community meetings around special projects and preparing and presenting staff reports to the City Manager, Planning Commission and City Council and/or Board of Architectural Review.
What You Should Bring
LUS Principal Planners are highly motivated, creative and responsible leaders with strong organizational skills and professional knowledge in the following areas: supervision, project management, local zoning regulations, site plan review, regulatory and financial analysis, written and oral communication, and customer service. The ideal candidates must be able to develop and organize clear work plans, which balance the timely processing of land use applications and keep special projects and overall work plans on track. A clear understanding of local municipal zoning, historic preservation, strong customer service and the ability to work with a diverse staff and community, coordinate with sister agencies inside and outside the City, and a variety of other stakeholders, including the development community, small property owners and the business and preservation communities is required.
The Opportunity – Examples of Work
- In conjunction with the LUS Chief, develops a work plan which sets work priorities to manage the variety of work assignments in the Non-Development Services Unit or the Historic Preservation Uni each fiscal year;
- Oversees the work of team members in processing administrative or public hearing land use cases of a range of complexity and size levels;
- Proofs staff reports and presentations prepared by assigned staff for the Board of Architectural Review and/or Planning Commission and City Council;
- Directly undertakes the processing of administrative and public hearing land use cases of a range of complexity and sizes;
- Demonstrates project management, customer service and communication skills;
- Demonstrates technical skills to interpret and apply zoning and planning related regulations effectively.
- Briefs the City Manager, Planning Commissioners, City Council and makes presentations to those entities as necessary on staff reports for land use cases and special projects;
- Supports and guides staff on professional development related training and opportunities;
- Conducts annual evaluations of assigned staff;
- Other duties as assigned.
Master's Degree or more than five years of progressive planning experience specifically in the areas of zoning, urban planning and historic preservation; at least three years experience in supervision of urban planners and three years experience in project management of land use cases and regulatory research; proficiency in Microsoft Suite, Adobe Suite, ARC GIS and land use information systems; proven ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing to diverse colleagues and communities; to various planning related stakeholder group; and to various levels of of government. Certification in the American Institute of Certified Planners.
This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks.
