Prince William County, a fast-growing community in the Washington D.C. metro region, is seeking a strong leader with executive level skills to lead our Planning Office.  This is an exciting time and opportunity to join a very dynamic, strategic and results driven team.  This highly visible position reports directly to the Deputy County Executive and exercises full supervision over a large professional staff of planners, technicians and support staff.  This role will be ideal for you if you have a strong background in planning, a desire to play a key role in shaping the community, and the interpersonal skills needed to work with citizens, elected and public officials and subordinates.

The mission of the Office of Planning is to assist the community in developing the County to its best potential.  The Planning staff evaluates and implements polices to support the goals of the community as it prospers and matures.  The Planning Office has four program areas:  Long Range Planning, Current Planning, Zoning Administration and Community Development.   It is responsible for the development and implementation of the County's Comprehensive Plan and the land use policies and tools necessary to implement the Plan, reviewing development applications, and negotiating on behalf of the community.  Planning Office staff also serves as the County's liaison to several boards, committees and commissions.

Prince William County is at the center of Northern Virginia's 1.1 million-person workforce.  We are the second largest county in Virginia, with a population of 453,049.  The County is a Vision and Values driven organization that works with elected officials and citizens to make Prince William a premier community where citizens and businesses grow and succeed together. The Prince William County workforce is highly educated and diverse with more than 47% of citizens holding a college degree, a median household income of $92,104, and an unemployment rate currently at 3.6%. 

For more information about the Planning Office click here: Planning Office

The statements in this class specification are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by incumbent(s) assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
 
GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK:

Performs complex professional and administrative work managing and directing planning and zoning activities; makes policy recommendations to County Executive; and performs related work as required.

Incumbent reports to a Deputy County Executive.  Full supervision is exercised over a large professional staff of planners, technicians and support staff.

Incumbent is responsible for organizing and directing the activities of the Planning Office within the framework of policies determined by the County Executive and the Board of County Supervisors.  These activities generally involve analysis of all land-use proposals, maintenance of the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance, researches and proposes land-use policies; reviews and issues land-use related plans and permits; and enforces the Zoning Ordinance.

TYPICAL TASKS:

Plans and directs the work of the Prince William County Planning Office which includes establishing goals/objectives, assigning duties, developing work programs/assignments, setting priorities, completing special projects and responding to requests from the BoCS and constituents;

Provides recommendations to the Planning Commission, the County Executive and the Board of County Supervisors on policies, programs and activities related to planning and zoning;

Represents or is responsible for the representation of the County Executive and Board of County Supervisors as necessary, in contact with the public, development industry, other governmental agencies;

Prepares and facilitates successful resolution of Countywide and regional conflicts;

Oversees the administration and enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance for the County to include the laws and regulations relating to rezoning applications, exceptions, special use permits, variances, appeals, responses to public inquiries and the preparation of related court actions relating to Zoning Ordinance enforcement;

By own initiative or in response to requests, initiates research, gathers data, evaluates data and reaches conclusions and/or develops recommendations;

Prepares recommendations on a wide variety of public policies and planning/zoning related matters;

Reviews subordinates' preliminary technical studies, plans and resolves conflicts of professional judgment among staff;

Attends meetings of the Planning Commission and provides staff support as necessary;

Plans, develops and manages department's fiscal management plan;

Confers with individuals and representatives of business and community organizations desiring information regarding County planning and trends in the development and growth of the County;

Represents the Planning Office on multi-disciplinary teams; supports community development initiatives.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of planning and development in the public sector; specialized knowledge in land use, capital improvements and regional economic planning; comprehensive knowledge of the principles, policies and procedures of accounting, budgetary process and fiscal management; thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of local government organizations to include an understanding of related social factors related to planning; skill in public speaking and making clear and concise presentations; ability to effectively plan and supervise the work of governmental planning/zoning organization comparable in size to Prince William County; ability to administer interpret and amend as necessary the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance; ability to serve as an expert witness; ability to develop and manage a department budget; ability to facilitate successful resolutions; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, elected and public officials and subordinates; ability to work under stress.

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a Master's Degree in Planning or a related field,  and 5-7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in planning and zoning, and 3-5 years senior management and leadership experience managing a variety of comprehensive programs.

PREFERENCES:

AICP certification preferred.
Master's Degree preferred.

Background Checks, which may include but are not limited to: Criminal History Check, Credit History Check, Education Verification, License Verification Check, and/or Fingerprinting is required.