Job Announcement

Fairfax County is one of the largest jurisdictions in the Commonwealth of Virginia with over 1.1 million people. This urbanizing county has a history of stable political leadership, effective citizen engagement, and outstanding service delivery. The county is midway through 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 will be usable on multiple electronic platforms.

Fairfax County is seeking to fill a Deputy Zoning Administrator/Branch Chief in the Zoning Administration Division of the new Department of Planning and Development, formed through merging the Department of Planning and Zoning and the Office of Community Revitalization, effective July 1, 2019. This position is one of three deputies within the Ordinance Administration Section that collectively manage a group of professional planners and/or technical staff that are responsible for the administration of the Fairfax County Zoning and Noise Ordinances. The deputy provides supervision and guidance of assigned staff in the following: research, development, and implementation of zoning text amendments; the preparation of written responses to inquiries and interpretation requests; the review and approval of administrative zoning permit applications, and on occasion the processing of appeals of zoning determinations to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

The deputy/branch chief is a working manager who not only delegates work assignments, monitors work progress, reviews and edits work products of staff for accuracy and consistency with Zoning Ordinance provisions and interpretations, but may also work on high profile special projects. The deputy may assist the division director with other activities such as the preparation and maintenance of division-wide strategic initiatives, standard operating procedures, selection of personnel and the development and presentation of training programs.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the capability to be a self-starter, to clearly articulate zoning principles both in writing and verbally at meetings and presentations and manage multiple projects. In addition, the ideal candidate will be skilled at leading staff teams and working with others to foster strong partnerships with those in the public and private sector including business and community groups.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, 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 (preferably in the specific area of assignment). A master's degree may be substituted for one year of the required experience. The years of experience should include a minimum of three years of experience in the specific area of assignment, e.g., zoning evaluation, zoning administration, zoning enforcement, public facility, environmental and/or land use planning.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Master's degree in planning, public administration or closely related field, plus increasingly responsible professional and/or supervisory experience in one or more of the following areas:

1. Zoning or other code administration to include writing Zoning Ordinance Amendments and conducting research, analysis, and interpretation of specific code requirements;
2. Technical expertise in permit review and inspections;
3. Site/development plan analysis and review.

Strong abilities in written and oral communication and problem-solving skills. Experience working with boards, authorities, commissions and task force or citizen advisory groups. Understanding of Virginia planning and zoning enabling legislation.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work is generally sedentary in a normal work environment; however, work assignments may require that the employee make site visits. Work requires the ability to speak clearly and understandably. The employee may be required to do some walking, standing, bending and carrying of items under 10 pounds in weight. Visual acuity is required to read data on a computer monitor and must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
None.

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

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel Interview may include an exercise.

Effective July 6, 2019, compensation plans will be increased by 2.1% (market rate adjustment.) Information here .

It is the policy of Fairfax County Government to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability 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.