Job Announcement

Under general supervision of the Senior Health and Human Services Policy & Program Analyst, independently performs advanced specialized, professional work on long range facilities planning, the Health and Human Services Capital Improvement Plan, capital projects, and planning and development in the Health and Human Services system. Directly manages high-profile, highly complex projects that have significant policy or regulatory implications. Serves as the Department subject matter expert on Health and Human Services planning and capital facilities and provides technical assistance and consultation to Health and Human Services agencies. Ensures alignment with One Fairfax and the Countywide Strategic Plan. Coordinates with other agencies on cross-agency co-located facilities planning, the Health and Human Services Capital Improvement Plan, and capital projects. Facilitates meetings and delivers presentations to the Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors, county leadership, and other stakeholder groups. Analyzes data and develops recommendations for the development, expansion, and renovation of Health and Human Services facilities. Writes briefs, memos, and reports for senior leadership. Leads community engagement efforts for the Health and Human Services Capital Improvement Plan. Also serves as a member of Neighborhood and Community Services’ management team and supervises a Planning & Capital Projects Analyst.

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.)

• Manages complex, multi-faceted zoning applications or planning studies in specific high profile development areas, such as Tysons and other urban cores, Metro-related mixed use sites, or town centers and represents the County in negotiation of proffers, conditions, and positions with applicants, citizens, County staff, other jurisdictions, State and/or Federal government;
• Manages special projects and studies, including directing the work of a team or work group of planners and planning technicians or others, from within and outside of the Department to include contracting consultants, preparing schedules, and administering the project budget;
• Represents the Department or County and serves as an internal expert on panels, committees, and task forces and may propose planning and zoning policies and amendments to the Zoning Ordinance or Comprehensive Planin response to a variety of complex policy and land issues;
• Represents the Department's positions at public hearings before the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and/or Park Authority Board, among others;
• As representative of the Department, coordinates with other County agencies, interest groups, and jurisdictions on highly specialized policy, zoning, and land use issues;
• Prepares detailed position papers and staff reports on complex zoning applications, Ordinance amendments, Plan amendments, public facility proposals, appeals of the Zoning Administrator's decisions, historic preservation, environmental policy, housing Policy, among others;
• Reviews and provides comments and direction on the work of others in the planner series related to area of expertise, acting as an internal consultant to the department and a mentor to other planners;
• Responds to complex land use, planning, and zoning inquiries and requests for interpretations or determinations involving an area of expertise;
• Supervises advanced and complex planning and zoning work;
• Serves as expert witness in litigation involving particular area of expertise.

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.)

• Thorough knowledge of the Zoning Ordinance, the adopted Comprehensive Plan and County policies and procedures as they relate to planning and zoning applications;
• Thorough knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of urban planning and zoning;
• Thorough knowledge of local government areas of specialization, including planning or zoning, management procedures, and principles of supervision;
• Ability to write, proofread, edit, and rewrite documents effectively and to critique and edit the work of others in the series;
• Ability to apply interpersonal skills to resolve conflicts and to maintain effective communication with staff;
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers, elected and appointed officials, development representatives and citizen groups;
• Ability to coordinate the preparation of comprehensive planning and technical zoning reports;
• Ability to apply principles of leadership, creative problem solving, collaboration, decision making, and team building;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

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 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.

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, landscape architecture, architecture, urban design, or related area.
  
• One of the following certifications: Certified Planner (AICP/APA), Professional Landscape Architect (PLA/ASLA), or Registered Architect (RA/AIA).
  
• Experience leading a team of professional staff including developing work plans, mentoring, and coaching junior planning staff.
  
• Experience leading public engagement efforts on highly complex plans.
  
• Experience independently performing park planning work including special studies.
  
• Proficiency using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in the current version of ArcView, online survey and public input software, and Microsoft Productivity software including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams.
  
• Familiarity using and updating databases.
  
• Must have strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work is generally sedentary in nature. However, incumbent may be required to do some walking, standing, bending, and carrying items up to 25 pounds. Ability to operate keyboard-driven equipment. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing. Sufficiently mobile to attend meetings at various locations and make presentations to county staff and community. 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 39.8% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) 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. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.