Open Space Planner I/II/III

Job Summary

$59,838 - $107,562 / year DOQ + Full-Time County Benefits

James City County's Community Development Department is seeking an experienced, knowledgeable and collaborative Open Space Planner to join our team. This position serves as the stewardship manager for the County's conservation easements and properties and performs other tasks to support the preservation of the County's natural and cultural assets through the planning and development processes.

There are three levels of Planner distinguished by the level of work performed and the qualifications of the employee.
Open Space Planner I: $59,838 - $93,529 / year DOQ
Open Space Planner II: $64,066 - $100,292 / year DOQ
Open Space Planner III: $68,611 - $107,562 / year DOQ

Responsibilities

• Serves as the stewardship manage for the County’s open space conservation easement portfolio by monitoring and enforcing conservation easements: building case histories, preparing baselines, documenting changes to properties to ensure compliance with the restrictions and obligations listed in the applicable easements, to include record-keeping, notifications, site visits or remote monitoring with satellite imagery, meetings with owners of conserved properties, creation of monitoring reports, and follow up on easement-compliance concerns or inquiries.
• Processes and reviews legislative and administrative easement approvals (e.g., establishment of uses, building size limitations, site plans, building permits, trades permits) and potential violations to ensure compliance with open space conservation easement requirements, and prepares recommendations and reports on assigned cases, to include making site visits and inspections; drafting and reviewing open space conservation easements.
• Implements computer-based monitoring and inspection databases or tacking programs, including GIS and database management tools.
• Manages assigned projects and cases by coordinating and facilitating inter-departmental and inter-agency review; presents assigned projects, reports, cases and other materials and acts as a liaison to local and regional committees, appointed boards and the Board of Supervisors.
• Participates in the development of projects, policies, and recommendations concerning development and open space preservation in the County; works closely with citizens to address open space conservation easement issues; responds to citizen and media inquiries related to open space conservation easements and the Natural and Cultural Assets Plan.
• Provides guidance and training on conservation easements to property owners and monitoring volunteers; helps to create and organize training materials; recommends improvement to training procedures and materials.
• (Planner II) Performs independent and detailed work on projects, policies, and recommendations concerning development and open space preservation in the County.
• (Planner III) Performs complex, independent, and detailed work on projects, policies, and recommendations concerning the development and open space in the County, and supervises volunteers as needed; oversees team-oriented projects and studies; takes a lead role on sensitive or significant legislative and administrative easement applications for adherence to County goals and policies; and prepares recommendations and reports on assigned cases.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in planning, environmental science, biology, ecology, civil engineering, or natural resource management field.
• Must possess, or be able to obtain within 30 days of hire, a valid Virginia driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record based on James City County’s criteria.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing; compile and analyze technical and geospatial information and prepare reports, plans, policies, Ordinances, and other planning documents; prepare and present technical information clearly to large groups and the public; establish and maintain effective working relationships with professional colleagues, employees, representatives of other public agencies, and the public; negotiate effectively; work as a team member; read and interpret building plans, site plans, conceptual plans, and subdivision plats.

Click here​for full job description. Accepting applications until position is filled. Cover letters and resumes may also be attached, but a fully completed application is required for your application to be considered.

James City County is dedicated to building a diverse workforce and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations. If you need assistance with completing the employment application, please contact the HR Department at 757-253-6680 or email HR.Recruit@jamescitycountyva.gov.