Principal Planner (Transportation and Development)

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 Environment Services (DES) is seeking a Principal Planner to join the Development Services Bureau in the Transportation and Development Division. This Planner will be a member of the Development Plan Review Coordinator group involved in coordinating and collaborating with staff throughout the Department and counterparts in the Community Planning, Housing and Development Department (CPHD) Planning Division throughout all phases of projects from inception to construction completion.  The Development Services Bureau plays a key role in ensuring the County's transportation and utility systems within the right-of-way, and support the growth and development envisioned in Arlington County's Comprehensive Plan.
 

Specific duties include:

• Managing the multi-disciplinary review of complex land development projects through the special exception entitlement process for DES, focusing on multimodal transportation, public infrastructure, and environmental sustainability;
• Providing recommendations to the County Board, County Manager, and leadership (e.g. Department Directors, Division Chiefs, etc.) and other internal stakeholders to resolve issues related to private and public development projects and preparing recommendations for County Manager and County Board consideration for public and private development projects;
• Representing the Division and the County in discussions and meetings with community members and groups, commissions, regional counterparts, state and federal government staff, property and business owners and others in the development community;
• Coordinating with internal stakeholders on the review and approval of Civil Engineering Plans, Landscape Plans, Maintenance of Traffic Plans, and other applicable plans and permits to ensure compliance with County Board approved plans; 
• Collaborating with internal stakeholders on field inspections and resolving construction related issues;
• Managing the multi-disciplinary review of use permits and administrative changes for DES;        
• Participating in the analyses and formulating recommendations for various long-term transportation and development plans and projects; and
• Participating and/or managing other projects and processes within or outside of DES to further department or County goals.

The successful candidate will possess demonstrated experience in: 

• Being a team-player who can also work independently, manage multiple tasks, and demonstrate effective communication skills to advise, report on, and discuss technical land development matters in areas of transportation, public spaces, and public infrastructure with a wide range of audiences;
• Strategic and critical thinking, problem solving, negotiating and people management skills; and
• Familiarity with general principles and best practices of policies regarding, urban and multimodal transportation planning, Transit Oriented Development (TOD), transportation, infrastructure, engineering principles and standards, sustainability, and related areas.

Minimum:

• Bachelor's degree in urban/community planning, urban design, public administration, engineering, or related field; plus
• Three (3) years' progressively responsible professional experience managing projects or programs in one of the following areas: multimodal transportation planning, urban planning, utility systems, public infrastructure, Transit Oriented Development (TOD), and/or environmental sustainability.   

Substitution:   Additional education may be substituted for experience. 
 
Desirables: Preference may be given to candidates with a Master’s Degree in a related field and/or experience in one or more of the following: 

• Public infrastructure and transportation network site design in urban areas similar to Arlington County;
• Transportation planning in urban areas similar to Arlington County; and/or 
• Local government land development planning processes management, including effective and direct engagement with staff, stakeholders, civic groups, developers, and elected officials.

Special Requirements:

Driver's License:  The applicant must possess, or obtain by time