Planner III

Planner III

Salary

$84,670.14 - $148,172.75 Annually

Location

HERRITY BUILDING (B-2), 12055 GOVERNMENT CENTER PKWY, FAIRFAX (EJ26), VA

Job Type

FT Salary W BN

Job Number

26-01651

Department

Planning and Development

Opening Date

10/24/2026

Closing Date

11/6/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Pay Grade

S28

Posting Type

Open to General Public

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Announcement

Fairfax County is seeking an experienced senior planner to independently lead complex land use reviews and public facilities reviews and amendments. This position conducts advanced analysis of development proposals such as rezonings, special exceptions, and other zoning applications throughout the county, with a focus on urban centers, transit station areas, suburban centers, community business centers, and other areas of the county, to evaluate consistency with Comprehensive Plan policies and guidance. Responsibilities also include serving as a project manager for and conducting 2232 Public Facility Reviews as well as Plan amendments and policy initiatives, to include the development of new public facility policy guidance.

The senior planner evaluates proposals, develops professional recommendations, and prepares comprehensive staff reports and memoranda for consideration by the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors. The position also requires presenting recommendations, responding to questions, and communicating complex planning issues to applicants, community members, and other stakeholders.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively with county agencies and other stakeholders to coordinate application reviews, address complex planning issues, and identify appropriate resolutions. The position also requires attending evening public hearings and community meetings as needed. The ideal candidate has strong analytical, project management, writing, presentation, and public engagement skills, along with the ability to independently manage complex assignments and develop well-supported planning recommendations.

Note: The salary for this position will not exceed the midpoint of the advertised salary range.

Note: The salary for this position will not exceed the midpoint of the advertised salary range.

In accordance with current Fairfax County telework and personnel policies, this position is eligible for partial telework. Telework enrollment and continuance are subject to supervisor approval and county policy.

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

Prepares detailed staff reports on complex zoning applications, Ordinance amendments, Plan amendments, public facilities proposals, and appeals of the Zoning Administrators decisions;

Represents the county in negotiations of proffers, conditions, and positions with applicants, citizens, county staff;

Conducts special studies resulting in the adoption of amended Plan text, the formulation of new land use policy, and/or amendments to the Zoning Ordinance;

Reviews complex zoning applications for compliance with submission requirements, and maintains county computer databases and records;

Collects, compiles and analyzes data relating to zoning, land use, transportation, public facilities, recreational, and environmental planning and prepares documents;

Presents staff positions at public hearings before the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and/or Park Authority Board;

Responds to land use, planning, and zoning inquiries and prepares interpretations both orally and in writing;

Coordinates with other county agencies, interest groups and other jurisdictions on various assignments;

Serves as lead planner for a revitalization area;

Directs the work of a team or a small group of planners and planning technicians working on a special project;

Supervises the work of a smaller work unit;

Assists in the administration and management of work programs involving the administration, enforcement, interpretation and amendment of the Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan;

Serves as staff liaison to task forces and advisory boards;

Serves as mentor for other Planners in the series;

Performs project management including contracting consultants, preparing schedules and administering the project budget.

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.)

Advanced knowledge of the principles of urban planning and zoning;

Ability to read, comprehend, and interpret documents relating to land use, zoning, environmental planning, public facilities, and information technology, among others;

Ability to write, proofread, edit, and rewrite documents effectively and to produce accurate documents with only limited, oversight supervision;

Ability to collect, synthesize and analyze research data and to present in written form;

Ability to analyze and evaluate land use and development plans and to form sound practical recommendations;

Ability to use a computer to access information, to conduct research and to perform basic word processing and spreadsheet operations;

Ability to establish and to maintain good working relationships with co-workers, elected and appointed officials, development representatives and citizens;

Ability to speak and to respond to questions effectively before individuals, citizen groups and public bodies;

Ability to prepare clear and concise written and oral reports;

Ability to set individual priorities, to manage time efficiently, and to exhibit sound judgment;

Ability to manage complex projects independently or to serve as a team leader;

Ability to meet and to deal effectively with county representatives, clients and the public;

Ability to identify effective solutions to process or programmatic problems.

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 four years of experience in a planning-related field.

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:

• Masters degree in planning or closely related field.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification
• Experience reviewing public facility proposals, such as schools, parks, libraries, fire stations, police stations, public utilities, telecommunications facilities, electrical substations, or other similar uses, and developing public facility policy guidance.
• Extensive experience conducting complex land use and development reviews in suburban centers; mixed use centers; transit station areas and/or revitalization areas to evaluate conformance with Comprehensive Plan policies and guidance.
• Demonstrated project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple complex assignments, coordinate competing priorities, and meet established deadlines.
• Excellent written communication skills, with experience preparing staff reports, technical memoranda, and other professional planning related documents.
• Strong oral communication and presentation skills, including experience presenting complex planning issues and recommendations to planning commissions, boards or councils, senior staff, and community stakeholders.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with county agencies, applicants, community members, and other stakeholders to resolve complex planning issues and coordinate projects or professional recommendations.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, manage assignments with limited supervision, and develop well-supported recommendations on complex or sensitive planning issues.
• Ability to communicate technical planning concepts clearly to audiences with diverse backgrounds, interests, and levels of technical knowledge.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Position is primarily sedentary; however, employee may be required to do some walking, standing, bending and carrying of items under 15 lbs. 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 is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

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 military status 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. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.

#LI-NW1

Merit Positions

Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• LiveWell Program
• Flexible Spending Programs
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
• Paid Holidays
• Contributory Retirement Plan
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees Child Care Center
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

Please click here for a summary of our benefits.

NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program: Public Service Loan Forgiveness | Federal Student Aid

For additional details please visit the Countys benefits webpage.

Non-Merit Positions

• Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage

• Flexible Spending Program

• Deferred Compensation

• Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.

• No benefits

01

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Less than 12th grade
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associates degree
• Bachelors degree
• Masters degree
• Doctorate degree

02

If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a related degree.

• Less than 45 quarter hours
• 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
• 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
• 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
• 180 or more quarter hours
• Less than 30 semester hours
• 30 to less than 60 semester hours
• 60 to less than 90 semester hours
• 90 to less than 120 semester hours
• 120 or more semester hours
• Not applicable

03

Please indicate all major(s) or minor(s) for your completed degree(s). Check all that apply.

• Urban and regional planning
• Geography
• Landscape architecture
• Urban design
• Environmental planning
• Land use planning
• Other (related field)
• Other (non-related field)
• Not applicable

04

If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list all of your completed majors and minors. If this question does not pertain to you, or you do not have a degree, enter "Not applicable."

05

How many years of full-time equivalent professional experience in a planning-related field do you possess?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight or more years

06

How many years of experience do you possess reviewing public facility proposals, such as schools, parks, libraries, fire stations, police stations, public utilities, telecommunications facilities, electrical substations, or other similar uses, and developing public facility policy guidance?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

07

How many years of experience do you possess reviewing land use and development review applications in in suburban centers, mixed use centers, transit station areas and/or revitalization areas?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

08

How many years of experience do you posses as a project manager where you were required to manage multiple complex assignments?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

09

How many years of experience do you posses in authoring staff reports and memorandums?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

10

How many years of experience do you possess applying analytical, research, and problem-solving skills to evaluate planning or development-related proposals and preparing professional recommendations?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

11

Do you have experience presenting to the following groups? Check all that apply.

• Planning commissions
• Boards of supervisors or councils
• Community groups or civic associations
• Senior staff
• None of the above

12

Please indicate if you have experience in the following areas. Check all that apply.

• Coordinating reviews with multiple County agencies
• Working with applicants or developers to resolve planning issues
• Engaging with community members or other stakeholders
• Resolving conflicting comments or recommendations
• Developing coordinated project recommendations
• Managing projects involving multiple agencies or stakeholder groups
• None of the above

13

Please indicate if you have experience in the following areas. Check all that apply.

• Managing assignments with limited supervision
• Analyzing complex land use or development proposals
• Evaluating development proposals for consistency with planning policies
• Assessing competing interests or sensitive community concerns
• Preparing staff reports, technical memoranda, or formal recommendations
• None of the above

14

Please indicate if you have experience in the following areas. Check all that apply.

• Preparing written planning analyses or staff reports
• Presenting recommendations to Planning Commissions, Boards, or elected officials
• Presenting recommendations at public meetings or hearings
• Explaining technical issues to applicants, residents, or community groups
• Preparing presentations, maps, or visual materials to explain planning issues
• Responding to questions or concerns about complex planning proposals
• None of the above

15

Do you possess a current American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Fairfax County

Address 12000 Government Center Pkwy. Suite 270

Fairfax, Virginia, 22035

Phone 703-324-3311

Website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/fairfaxcounty/default.cfm