Assistant Zoning Administrator

Job Announcement

Fairfax County is one of the largest jurisdictions in the Commonwealth of Virginia with over 1.1 million people and is strategically located near the federal government in neighboring Washington, D.C. Our vibrant community boasts excellent schools, award winning parks, a highly educated workforce and a quality of life that makes the County a highly desirable location to live and work. The Department of Planning and Development is shaping the landscape of Fairfax County by promoting equitable, livable and sustainable communities for present and future generations. At DPD we value meaningful work, diversity, innovative approaches, and thrive in a highly collaborative team environment. The department recently completed an effort to modernize and update its 40-year-old Zoning Ordinance. This project known as zMOD includes the creation of new use categories and standards that accommodate new concepts and emerging trends as well as creating a new, streamlined, user friendly document that is usable on multiple electronic platforms. The new Zoning Ordinance became effective July 1, 2021 and implementation is ongoing.

Oversees the Ordinance Administration Section within the Zoning Administration Division of DPD. This position is one of two senior deputies that report directly to the Zoning Administrator/Division Director and assists in developing goals, strategies and a work culture that embraces principles of high performance and service and supports the overall mission of the division and department. The senior deputy acts on behalf of the Zoning Administrator at meetings with elected and appointed officials, industry stakeholders, citizens and other county agencies on complex and high- profile zoning related topics and issues; and serves as a technical and policy advisor to the zoning administrator, agency director and other county officials on zoning and other related activities.

Provides oversight and direction for the Ordinance Administration Section which consists of 16 staff, including three branch chiefs, eleven planners and 2 support staff. The senior deputy provides direction and review of work products including zoning determinations, board items and technical memorandum, and other responses to inquiries to ensure consistency among the branch chiefs and their respective work units within the Section. This position will oversee the development and implementation of standard operating procedures, performance metrics, and training programs for the section; will be responsible for workforce planning, employee relations, performance review and other general personnel issues; will assist the Zoning Administrator in the development and management of the Zoning Ordinance Work Program; and will provide direction and oversight, including development of a community engagement plan, for specific amendment topics. Serves as the department’s liaison and contact for the county’s legislative team during state general assembly session as well as the FOIA coordinator and records manager for the division.

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 five years of increasingly responsible experience in a zoning administration organization, which includes responsibility for zoning enforcement, zoning ordinance administration, and or zoning permit review. A masters degree may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.

All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs may be subject to a weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Master’s degree in planning, public administration or closely related field, plus more than 7 years of increasingly responsible professional experience including 3 years of supervisory and/or project management experience in zoning administration to include researching best practices and writing zoning ordinance amendments, preparing and presenting appeals of zoning determinations; conducting research, analysis, interpretation or application of specific ordinance requirements. Experience in the development of training materials, web content and other customer outreach tools on zoning topics. Strong presentation skills, particularly to boards, authorities, commissions and task force or citizen advisory groups. Understanding of Virginia planning and zoning enabling legislation.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Position is primarily sedentary; however, employee may be required to do some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of items under 15 pounds In weight. Work requires the ability to operate computer equipment and the ability to communicate clearly. Must be able to make site visits. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.

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. EEO/AA/TTY.