Senior Planning Technician

The City of Alexandria is located in Northern Virginia, and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington, and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest City in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to work. Approximately one-quarter of the City's square miles have been designated as a national or local historic district. Several buildings in these districts are monuments to the past, while being actively used by citizens for homes, businesses, and museums. If you're interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Senior Planning Technician position.

An Overview
The incumbent in this position will work in the Boards and Commission Unit (BCU) of the Department of Planning and Zoning (P&Z). The ideal candidate will be highly energetic, organized, detail-oriented, flexible, and capable of multi-tasking and working in a high volume, fast paced environment. Key to this position is the ability to manage complex databases, scheduling software, and multiple deadlines utilizing sound judgment and working independently, but keeping the Manager informed and taking issues and possible solutions to the Manager. Also, strong customer service skills are an essential requirement demonstrating effective ability to work with applicants, other City departments, and the public in general.

What You Should Bring
You should be highly motivated, organized, creative and responsible with strong written and oral communication skills. The ability to manage competing priorities is critical. Very close attention to detail is a major requirement. Excellent customer service skills are required. The Senior Planning Technician must have a desire to work as part of a team environment and be willing to provide efficient and consistent service to the public.

The Opportunity

• Manage the intake and distribution of zoning, development and historic preservation applications and fees;
• Demonstrate strong customer service to effectively interface daily with applicants as part of the intake process. Meet with them on cases pertaining to public hearing Special Use Permit applications and other non-development cases;

• Review plans and applications for compliance with submission requirements and basic zoning regulations and manage zoning, development and historic preservation case files, including scanning into a document imaging system;

• Respond to Freedom of Information Act requests and perform a variety of special projects and extensive research projects;

• Maintain tracking systems and permit database, produce various reports and manage webpages and webcasts;

• Coordinate logistics for Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals and Board of Architectural Review as assigned, which include but are not limited to: preparing and publishing dockets, creating legal notices, certifying legal notices, formatting and preparing complex staff reports for final publishing, and meeting scheduling and set up;

• Provide information about application and review processes, notices, and board and commission hearings to applicants, staff and the public;

• Perform a variety of administrative and technical tasks in support, preparation of and follow up to meetings of the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Board of Architectural Review as assigned;

• Create and edit a variety of graphics, tables and maps using and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Microsoft Suite products and Adobe Creative Suite products;

• Develop and implement creative, and procedurally viable, solutions to problems related to administrative processing, tracking, document management, data management and organization of zoning, development and historic preservation cases;

• Deliver docket packages to Board and Commission members and post placard notices; and

• Perform related work as required.

About the Department
P&Z works closely with communities to carry out the City's Strategic Plan, fostering amenity-rich, service-oriented and equity-balanced neighborhoods; protecting historic and cultural resources; and supporting diverse and creative businesses. In developing neighborhood plans, reviewing development proposals, and promoting economic vitality, we continue our commitment to collaborate with all stakeholder groups to honor the character of each neighborhood and to strengthen and sustain them, and Alexandria as a whole, for now and in the future.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Two-Year College Degree; one year of experience providing direct service assistance to the public which shall have involved providing technical advice and information on specific services; one year of experience coordinating events and schedules within prescribed deadlines, working in a fast paced environment, and working in teams; knowledge of graphic design, database and web-based applications, and Microsoft office suite; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Meets minimum requirements and brings at least one-year of experience working for a municipal governmental Committee, Board, or Commission; managing public hearing dockets; and working effectively with the public and other government staff; experience working with applicants for zoning, land use/land development, historic preservation, and special use permits, etc.; proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, at least one year of experience with database applications and in particular laser fiche scanning and document retrieval functions; proficiency in ARCGIS, Adobe Creative Suite software and other geographic software. Demonstrated professional communication skills (written and verbal) and the ability to provide superior customer service are a must. Field work and the ability to lift items weighing 20 - 40 lbs. with or without accommodations. A valid driver's license issued by the state of residency.

Notes

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks.