Job Announcement

Performs a variety of zoning administration functions. Researches and prepares written responses to requests for interpretations of the Zoning Ordinance. Answers general zoning questions over the telephone and in person. Researches and prepares Zoning Ordinance amendments and conducts special studies, as required. Writes detailed reports.
Prepares and presents staff reports to the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission or Board of Zoning Appeals regarding Zoning Ordinance amendments or appeals of a determination of the Zoning Administrator. Interprets data relating to site and subdivision plans, plats and building permits. Performs related duties as required.

Illustrative Duties

• Prepares staff reports on zoning applications, ordinance amendments, plan amendments, public facility proposals, and appeals of Zoning Administrator's decisions;
• Collects and analyzes data and formulates recommendations relating to zoning, land use, public facilities, and environmental planning proposals;
• Prepares statistical reports;
• Coordinates evaluation of zoning, land use, public facilities, and environmental proposals and projects;
• Negotiates positions on issues, proffers, and conditions on behalf of the County with zoning, plan amendment, and appeal applicants, citizens, County staff and others;
• Determines if zoning applications comply with submission requirements;
• Enters information and maintains County computer databases and records;
• Presents staff positions at public hearings before the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and/or the Park Authority Board and citizen groups;
• Responds to planning and zoning inquiries and prepares interpretations both orally and in writing;
• May serve as staff liaison to task forces, committees and advisory boards.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of the principles of urban planning and zoning;
• Ability to read, comprehend and interpret documents relating to land use, zoning, environmental planning, public facilities, and information technology, among others;
• Ability to write, proofread, edit, and rewrite documents effectively, and to produce accurate final documents;
• Ability to collect, synthesize and analyze research data and present in written/graphic form;
• Ability to analyze and to evaluate land use and development plans and to form sound practical recommendations;
• Ability to analyze and prepare statistical reports;
• Ability to use a computer to access information, conduct research and to perform basic word processing and spreadsheet operations;
• Ability to establish and to maintain good working relationships with co-workers, elected and appointed officials, development representatives and citizens;
• Ability to speak effectively before individuals, citizen groups and public bodies;
• Ability to meet and to deal effectively with County representatives, applicants and the public;
• Ability to work independently, to set individual priorities, to manage time effectively and to apply consistently sound judgment.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience and training equivalent to the following:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in a planning-related field; plus three years of experience in a planning-related field. A master's degree may be substituted for one year of the required experience. The years of experience should include a minimum of two 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.

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")

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
None.

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

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Seeking individual with knowledge of the principals, practices and techniques of planning and zoning. Preferred candidate should have strong written and oral communication skills, including public speaking. Must be able to conduct independent research and possess experience in interpreting and applying Zoning Ordinance regulations and providing staff support to an elected or appointed board, authority or commission. Experience in reviewing complex plans, building permits, development plans, survey plats, and other zoning related legal documents desired. AICP certification, Virginia Certified Zoning Administrator/Official, Property Maintenance Code Certification, Professional Engineer, preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Position is primarily sedentary. However, employee may be required to do some walking, standing, bending and carrying of items up to 10 pounds in weight. Work assignments may also require that the employee make site visits. All duties are performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview, may include exercise.

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.