Principal Planner

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development (CPHD) is seeking a motivated, team-oriented Principal Planner to join the Comprehensive Planning Section within the Planning Division. This Planner specifically serves as the Section's Zoning Ordinance Amendment Coordinator, who performs advanced level planning work with assignments that involve managing zoning studies and coordinating the Zoning Committee of the Planning Commission.

Major Job Duties:

• Leading and managing the development of County-wide policy and zoning studies resulting in zoning ordinance amendments with data, planning analyses and research, and well-informed recommendations, and supporting others who conduct similar studies;
• Managing the activities of interdepartmental teams, ad hoc working groups, and facilitating community engagement processes and interaction with community members, advisory commissions, and private industry, to consult, conduct and present planning research, and form recommendations;
• Developing and implementing project scopes of work and timelines to meet assigned work plan priorities and ensuring that project results align with the Planning Manager's and Planning Director's expectations;
• Serving as the liaison to the Zoning Committee of the Planning Commission, coordinating its monthly meetings and related administration duties including coordinating the zoning studies and amendments annual work plan;
• Exercising sound zoning principles and practice through ongoing coordination with the Zoning Administrator and County Attorney's Office, and applying a broad understanding of policies and guidelines for transportation, public spaces and facilities, biophilic and sustainable design, historic preservation, housing, economic development, and urban design;
• Supporting activities performed by the Comprehensive Planning Section, including reviews of Comprehensive Plan Elements, related amendments, and rezoning and special exception development proposals for consistency with adopted plans and policies;
• Preparing recommendation reports for assigned projects, including presenting recommendations to senior management, advisory commissions and community groups, the Planning Commission, and the County Board;
• Managing consultants and related procurement activities; and
• Assisting and/or coordinating with staff from the Planning Division and/or other County departments on inter-departmental tasks or issues with County-wide policy implications.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Ability to work independently and perform as a team player who can manage multiple tasks;
• Experience analyzing complex, politically sensitive and highly visible issues, interpreting them and their interrelationships, and using sound judgment with political acumen to address them and inform staff recommendations;
• Land use and physical planning sense and experience planning for equitable development, smart growth and sustainable transit-oriented development;
• Extensive experience collaborating among multi-disciplined professionals and stakeholders, contributing to high level policy discussions, and identifying innovative opportunities;
• Clear and effective presentation skills to communicate work and provide sound advice to County leadership, community stakeholders and elected officials on elements of the Comprehensive Plan, land use policies, zoning regulations, and other implementation strategies; and
• Commitment to promoting and implementing equitable engagement to reach all communities including those who are vulnerable, marginalized, or traditionally underrepresented in public engagement.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Community or Urban Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, or a directly related field; and
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in transit-oriented mixed-use planning, land use policy development, zoning administration, urban planning, development review, urban design, or landscape design.

Substitution: Additional education may be substituted for experience.

Desirable Qualifications: Preference may be given to candidates with a Master's Degree in the related field and experience or credentials in one or more of the following:

• Managing highly complex zoning studies or planning projects and processes;
• Progressive responsibility in mixed-use and/or urban planning, community development, landscape design, or other related program areas;
• Preparing planning reports and multimedia presentations that effectively communicate related work to a range of audiences, including online and other social media platforms;
• Proficiency in computer software programs for urban planning analysis and urban design, such as ArcGIS, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Cloud;
• Senior-level project management of planning and development initiatives within an urban community and integration of equitable community engagement and/or facilitation; and/or
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification from the American Planning Association.

Special Requirements

Driver’s License: Applicants for this position must possess, or obtain by the time of appointment, a valid driver’s license, or the applicant must have the ability and willingness to use alternative methods of transportation to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at locations other than the primary work site. The applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain or provide a copy of the applicant's official state/district driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record.

Background Check: A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information. A pre-hire federal background check and State of Virginia Central Registry check will also be completed before hire.

Economic Interest Form: Completion of the Commonwealth of Virginia Statement of Economic Interest form will be required of the successful candidate upon hire and annually thereafter.

Please complete each section of the application including the supplemental questions. Your responses to the supplemental questions are required because they provide us with specific information necessary to evaluate your qualifications for this position. These responses are considered part of the selection process. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please do not write "see resume" as a response to the questions. In accordance with § 19.2-392.15, applicants are not required to provide information regarding sealed arrests, charges, or convictions in response to any questions or inquiries during the hiring process.

Additional Information

Work Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday- Friday. Significant evening and weekend work will be required to attend meetings held by the County Board, the Planning Commission (and its committees), other commissions/advisory boards, and other community meetings. The CPHD Planning Division offers a hybrid work environment with minimum two days per week on-site office hours and with telework options pending supervisor approval.

The official title for this position is Principal Planner.

This position is eligible for County government employee benefits that include health, dental, vacation and sick leave, commuter transportation subsidies, tuition reimbursement, as well as a generous retirement plan.

For more information on Arlington's generous benefits and retirement plan, click here.

Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs. Learn more about our commitment.