Job Announcement

Fairfax County is one of the largest jurisdictions in the Commonwealth of Virginia with over 1.1 million people. Our urbanizing county has a history of stable political leadership, effective citizen engagement, and outstanding service delivery. The Branch Chief of the Environment and Development Review Branch of the Planning Division in the Department of Planning and Development provides direction to and manages a staff team focused on environmental planning and policy initiatives, as well as land use and environmental components of development review applications. The branch chief provides direction and guides staff in formulation of environmental policies related to land use planning and oversees environmental assessments and land use analyses of development proposals, including zoning applications, pre-applications, inter-jurisdictional referrals, National Environmental Policy Act Reviews, Virginia Environmental Impact Reviews, and wetland permit applications to determine their consistency with the Comprehensive Plan. Provides direction on and reviews, edits and approves written reports and other materials prepared by staff, and ensures consistency among them. The branch oversees presentations and presents information to the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Wetlands Board, Agricultural and Forestal District Advisory Committee and community groups, and participates at meetings with various county and regional environmental committees. The branch chief ensures that all work is well researched, responsive to the request, completed in a timely manner and is fair and equitable and appropriately balances county priorities. Responsible for hiring, training, and supervising a staff team.

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 supervise and coordinate the work of assigned staff, including making equitable assignments and assuring that deadlines are met;
• Ability to identify process/ programmatic problems, to envision and propose effective solutions, and to apply consistently sound judgment in a variety of situations;
• 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;
• Ability to communicate Department's mission, goals, and values to staff, elected officials, and citizens.

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 (preferably in the specific area of assignment). A Masters degree may be substituted for one year of the required experience. The years of experience should include a minimum of three (3) 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.

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:
Demonstrated project management and leadership ability in environmental and long-range planning in the public sector. Experience should include several years in environmental and long-range planning, and should include substantial experience working with elected and appointed officials, community task forces and groups, and members of the public. Experience managing environmental or planning studies and initiatives. Ability to develop policy that balances county priorities. Ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholder groups. Strong negotiation skills. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to supervise staff, make assignments, and write, review and edit technical staff reports and memos. Master's degree in environmental planning or planning or closely related field.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Position is primarily sedentary; however, employee may be required to do some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of items under 15 pounds in weight. Work assignments may also require that the employee make site visits and inspections. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.

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 status as a veteran 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.