URBAN PLANNER III

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 160,000 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 live and work. About one-quarter square miles in the City have been designated as a national or local historic district. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for this Urban Planner III within the Department of Planning & Zoning (P&Z).

An Overview
The Urban Planner III position is located in the Land Use and Regulatory Services (LUS) Division. The work is performed in conjunction with other members of the LUS Division, with staff from other departments and is supervised by the Principal Planner and the Division Chief of LUS. This position will bring strong knowledge and experience in administering a municipal Zoning Ordinance written for an urban context and will review applications for Special Use Permits (special zoning approvals for some business types), Subdivisions, Site Plans and other land use applications. This position will be responsible for research, analysis, development, presentation or interpretation of concepts and data pertaining to urban planning and plan implementation. Incumbents in this class, as project leaders, may help plan, coordinate, and review the work of other planners but does not supervise. Other responsibilities include reviewing correspondence with applicants, City departments and community representatives in the evaluation, researching and preparing staff reports for presentations to the Planning Commission, City Council and community stakeholder groups.

What You Should Bring

The ideal candidate must be a highly motivated team player with strong organizational and analytical skills, knowledge related to the job requirements and must bring exceptional customer service. The incumbent should be able to communicate clearly and effectively through written and oral communication, manage multiple tasks, provide unparalleled attention to detail and show initiative and strong judgement. Strong communication skills and customer service experience are utilized to process the applications in an efficient and accurate manner. This Planner must be able to manage competing priorities and have extensive experience using strong organization, judgement, communication, and multi-tasking skills.

The Opportunity

• Administer and interpret applicable state and local codes, ordinances, plans and regulations in the review of various development and non-development applications including plats, site plans, and building permits;
• Review applications for Business Licenses, Special Use Permits, Subdivisions, Variance requests, Re-zonings and applications for Outdoor Dining, Signs, and Certificates of Occupancy;
• Coordinate with applicants, City departments and community representatives in the evaluation, research, analysis and preparation of staff reports and presentations to governing bodies and presentations to community stakeholder groups;
• Write, or assist in writing, a variety of ordinances and regulations relating to development controls;
• Work and coordinate with planners in other divisions within P&Z and other City departments;
• Work directly with members of the public, especially small business owners and community groups;
• Participate in policy development and planning projects;
• Provide information to the public regarding regulations;
• Assist in resolving citizen and customer issues;
• Track P&Z’s review and approval of building and trade permits;
• Attend, as may be necessary, evening and weekend meetings; and
• Other related duties as required.

About the Department The Department of Planning and Zoning 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

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 and five years of relevant planning experience or two years and a Master's Degree; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Four-Year College Degree plus six years' experience or Masters' degree plus four years' experience; knowledge of the principles and practices of planning and strong writing, analytical and communication skills. At least three years of experience working with the public. Ability to negotiate various aspects of an application with a team consisting of public and private planning professionals to develop the best possible project for the City, its users and its residents. Experience in planning at the local government level and demonstrated ability to work and resolve issues with diverse customers. Must possess the ability to use scales; the ability to review surveys/plats/building permits; prepare staff reports for public hearings; demonstrated strong analytical, exceptional written and communication skills; and knowledge of the principles and practices of planning at the local level. Proficiency in Microsoft Suite Programs and BlueBeam. Certification as a member or interest in becoming a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or a related certification is desirable.

Notes

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