North Branch Chief (Engineer V)

Job Announcement

$5,000 Sign-On Bonus*

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.

Manages and supervises a group of engineers and code specialists whose responsibilities include the review and approval of complex Land development designs for compliance with applicable state and county codes and ordinances. With the other branch chiefs in the division, is responsible for promoting teamwork between reviewers and developing and implementing a project management approach to plan processing. Supervises review engineers responsible for the approval or disapproval of record plats, preliminary plats, grading plans, public improvement plans, subdivision plans, site plans, plats and other related submissions. Oversees the review and approval of Chesapeake Bay Ordinance exceptions and exemptions, subdivision waivers, site plan waivers and public facilities manual waivers. Ensures code requirements and ordinances have been correctly and consistently interpreted and applied within the branch and across the division. Monitors review time frames and ensures compliance with state mandates and agency goals and standards. Assists in the resolution of disputes concerning complaints and code interpretations. Works under the supervision of the Assistant Director of the Site Development and Inspections Division.

Provides exceptional customer support for services performed by the Department of Land Development Services and ensures compliance with applicable codes, regulations, and standards related to various activities within the agency's scope. A key responsibility is delivering timely and effective customer service through in-person, phone, and virtual channels, with staff offering expertise to address real-time inquiries. Additionally, this position proactively collaborates with colleagues both within and outside the business unit to ensure efficient service delivery and timely resolution of customer needs. Continually seeks to expand safety knowledge through training, mentoring, self-study, or other methods of continuous learning. Clearly communicates safety expectations to employees within work unit. Resolves safety-related matters in a timely manner. Assist with recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding. Complies with county, agency, and job specific training, including but limited to Emergency Management and Safety related courses. Position requires incumbent to operate a motor vehicle to drive to/from construction sites, offsite meetings, training and/or conferences.

Note: This job advertisement is not intended to be all inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing business needs of the organization.

• A $5,000 signing bonus is available to new county employees hired in the Engineer V position.
  
  

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.)

Depending on the functional area of assignment:

• Considerable knowledge of the principles, theory and practice of civil, architectural, and environmental engineering or urban planning;
• Considerable knowledge of computer applications and software (such as CAD) that is associated with the preparation of plans and engineering computations;
• Considerable knowledge of topographic and construction surveying;
• Considerable knowledge of common methods and equipment used in engineering construction and of inspection methods used in reviewing such work;
• Ability to review construction documents, designs and proposals for costs, design requirements and compatibility with County standards, guides and operational needs;
• Ability to oversee and coordinate the work of a diverse professional and para-professional engineering/architectural staff;
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing and interact effectively with the public;
• Ability to prepare technical reports and to present findings in a clear and concise format;
• Ability to engage others in the design and implementation strategies that maximize employee potential and foster high ethical standards in meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals;
• Ability to explain, advocate, and express facts and ideas in a convincing manner.
  
  

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 a four-year college or university accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technologies with a bachelor's degree in the appropriate engineering or architecture field; plus, five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the appropriate engineering or architectural field, including one year of supervisory experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• A valid driver's license.
• Possession of a valid Virginia Professional Engineer license.
• DEQ - Dual Plan Reviewer certification: Obtain full certification within 11 months of hire.
• DEQ - Dual Program Administrator certification: Obtain full certification within 11 months of hire.
  
  

An individual who possesses a valid Professional Engineer (PE) license in another state will be granted a temporary exemption for up to 180 days from the date of hire to obtain a PE license in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Two or more years of experience Leading and supervising a team.
• Two or more years of experience working directly with Local boards, commissions or elected officials.
• Two or more years of experience in direct customer service interactions.
• Two or more years of experience in the field of site plan design and/or review.
  
  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to drive a car. Ability to operate key-board driven equipment. Sufficient mobility to perform site visits. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview and may include exercise.

BONUS ELIGIBILITY:

Positions within this classification that are general merit may be eligible for a one-time hiring incentive bonus for new county employees only. This bonus program requires a signed payback agreement between the department and employee.

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.