Urban Planner II (Capital)

Park Planning and Capital Development

The City of Alexandria is in Northern Virginia bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington, and Fairfax counties. Once within the original boundary stones that demarked the area of the Nation’s Capital, Alexandria is a part of the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. With a population of approximately 159,467 Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Unique and historic, Alexandria is a place that is experiencing substantial redevelopment appeal and business growth opportunities because of a high market demand for urban living in a quality environment. About one-quarter of the City’s 15.47 square miles has been designated as a national or local historic district.

The City of Alexandria is an independent city with no county affiliation and derives its governing authority from a Charter granted by the Virginia General Assembly. Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, allowing local governments only the authority expressly granted to them by the Virginia Constitution or by the Virginia General Assembly in the City Charter or in general law. City Council is the governing body, which formulates policies for the administration of the City. The mayor is chosen on a separate ballot and presides over sessions of the Council.

If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Urban Planner II (Capital) for Park Planning and Capital Development for Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities (RPCA).

• The mission of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities is to enrich the City of Alexandria by creating meaningful experiences through public spaces, cultural activities, and programming.
• The Department’s vision is to improve the well-being of every person in our community by connecting them to each other and their environment.

Overview
The Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities Department (RPCA) supports the well-being of Alexandria’s residents by ensuring access to a variety of quality recreation, park, and cultural experiences. There are over 900 acres of publicly accessible open space (this includes both public and private land that is open for public use), 566 acres of it is publicly owned park land, and approximately 30,000 street trees. The Department is comprised of four operating Divisions: Park Services, Recreation Services, Cultural Activities and Leadership & Management. The Divisions work to offer the full range of programs, facilities, and parks.

Under the Park Services Division, the Park Planning and Capital Development section manages planning, design, and the Capital improvement program for the department. The major areas of responsibility of the Capital Development Section include:

• Capital Improvement Program Management
• Capital Facilities Maintenance Program Management and Coordination
• Capital Project Management
• Park Design
• Construction Documentation and Construction Management
• Project coordination with Department of Project Implementation, Department of Transportation and Environmental Services, and the Department of General Services
• Capital Program Process Improvements and Standardization

The Urban Planner II works with Capital Development team members to plan, design and implement a variety of park and recreational projects identified in the approved Capital Improvement Program. The position also supports deployment of Citywide project management initiatives within the Department and is involved with various community partnerships for park improvements.

The Urban Planner II primary work projects for FY2023-2023 include

1. Planning and implementation of Capital Facility Maintenance Program (CFMP) projects such as trails, horticulture, play spaces, fitness areas, and other improvements
2. Management of special community partnerships with local community organizations
3. Collaboration with team members on project standardization initiatives including construction details, plan review standardization, and design documentation checklists
4. Implementation of Neighborhood and Pocket Park Improvement Plan recommendations
5. Assistance with the deployment of the City’s Project Management Standards Initiative within RPCA

RPCA Strategic Plan - Each member of the department is expected to implement the mission, vision, values, and the four focus areas as determined through business plans and the budget process. It is expected that all decisions will be made considering the values and focus areas.

Statement of Workplace Excellence - Every RPCA staff member has the right to a safe, healthy, efficient, and pleasant working environment where all organization members adhere to the highest standards of behavior, personal integrity, and truthfulness. Each staff member demonstrates full support and acts on deploying workplace excellence.

Shared Leadership Approach -All staff members are collectively responsible for our organizational community and have leadership roles. Everyone is a decision maker within his or her job. We invite participation in solving organizational issues and constantly improving our operations. We share a leader-to-leader model.

Customer Service Guarantee- We are committed to delivering a consistently superior customer experience to all who participate in our programs or visit our parks and facilities. Service will be:

• Responsive - respond in a timely manner to all residents and customers both external and internal. We own the request we receive and do not shift the responsibility.
• Professional - represent the department in appropriate appearance, decorum, and communication.
• Courteous - Treat everyone with respect. Treat everyone fairly. Treat everyone with dignity.
• Accountable - Demonstrate a bias toward action. Ensure follow-up and follow-through with appropriate results.

High Performance Organization - RPCA commits to building and sustaining a high-performance organization. This ensures a clear and consistent strategic direction. We continually focus on improving all aspects on internal and external operation. We also strive through workplace excellence and shared leadership to inspire staff to outstanding outcomes. Every job in the organization has elements of team leadership, management, and task accomplishment. HPO is team based.

What You Should Bring
Each member of our team is accountable for the outstanding delivery of services. You will contribute towards achieving our mission and vision by bringing your design, planning, construction, and project management talent to successfully deliver park and recreation improvements. The position also supports various department programs, and works with Park Services team members to provide design and project management expertise on initiatives as needed. Your knowledge, skills, and abilities should encompass the following:

• good knowledge of the principles and practices of City planning and park and recreation design;
• good knowledge of project management practices;
• good knowledge of general construction practices;
• good knowledge of current literature and recent developments in the field of public sector planning, urban design, landscape architecture, engineering/storm water management, horticulture, arboriculture, recreation, architecture, and environmental planning;
• some knowledge of the principles of public administration;
• some knowledge of the principles and practices of engineering and physical design as applied to city planning and design of park and recreational facilities;
• ability to analyze and systematically compile technical and statistical information;
• ability to prepare technical reports, plan drawings, graphics, and construction/contract documents;
• ability to develop creative approaches for the solution of planning and design problems related to the use and management of park and recreational facilities;
• ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with employees, officials, other agencies, other jurisdictions and the general public;
• ability to evaluate planning, design, and technical proposals from consultants.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Four-Year College Degree from an accredited college or university in regional, or urban Planning, or a closely related field such as Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Geography, Urban Studies, Public Administration, Physical Sciences, Historic Preservation, or Environmental Studies; three years of experience or Master's degree with 1 year experience; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Four (4) year college degree plus four years of experience or Master's Degree with two years experience; demonstration of progressive project management experience.

Notes

This position requires successful completion of a criminal records background check and drug screening prior to employment. Applicants are encouraged to provide work samples and portfolios with their application submission.