Community Specialist - Fairfax, United States - Fairfax County Government

Description

Job Announcement

As a member of the Community Planning and Programs team within the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC), provides support in climate planning, plan implementation, agency coordination, community programs, and the promotion of environmental and energy awareness and engagement in support of the Board of Supervisors' environmental vision, Countywide Strategic Plan, the Operational Energy Strategy, the Communitywide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP), Resilient Fairfax, and other county environmental plans and policies. Duties include:

Supports the management and implementation of the Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) for emissions reduction and the Resilient Fairfax plan for climate adaptation and resilience.

Coordinates with county departments/agencies on climate and environmental initiatives;

Supports community and employee awareness and engagement efforts related to environmental and energy priorities;

Grows and markets existing and new education and outreach programs to all community sectors;

Supports the deputy director and/or division manager in assessing and reporting on climate, energy and environmental policy, legislation, initiatives, programs and activities;

Works with nonprofit entities, regional planning organizations, and other partners to further county goals;

Responds to inquiries from interest groups and the public;

Provides administrative support to the Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) to include facilitating EQAC meetings, reports, resolutions and EQAC member appointments and managing the EQAC website;

Provides technical support to departmental managers, as needed.

Ability to attend evening meetings is essential.
Note: The position may be underfilled as a Planner II (Grade S25); the underfill requirements are stated below in the Employment Standards section.

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 Administrator's 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;

Conducts park master planning process and prepares related plans and reports;

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.

UNDERFILL REQUIREMENTS:
This position may be underfilled as a Planner II (Grade S25; $63, $105,355.12 annually).

The employment standards for the Planner II are 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 two years of experience in a planning-related field.

Underfill candidates must be able to meet the minimum qualifications of the Planner III within two years of the job announcement's closing date by 4/12/2026.

Applicants hired at the Planner II level will be non-competitively promoted to the Planner III level upon successful completion of an underfill agreement.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Not applicable.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Strong experience in and knowledge of climate planning and implementation, including greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategies and climate resilience strategies;

Experience in developing and implementing strategic and annual work plans as they relate to climate, environmental and energy programs and goals;

Experience working in a local government environment including work with elected officials;

Significant demonstrated experience in data gathering techniques including how to manage, synthesize and use information in various formats and how to organize and present findings;

Ability to work with community organizations including understanding and recognizing how to interact with the community at large;

Ability to set-up and facilitate meetings;

Ability to present information to elected officials, senior management, and members of the community in a concise and understandable manner;

Ability to write clearly, synthesize complex information, and present findings to audiences without technical backgrounds;

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing;

Strong PowerPoint, Word and Excel skills;

Experience with GIS mapping and analysis.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.

Ability to attend evening meetings is essential.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Job is generally sedentary in nature; however, employee must be sufficiently mobile to attend meetings and make presentations. Employee may be required to lift and carry up to 15 pounds. Incumbent must be able to work on electronic equipment such as a computer monitor, typing on a keyboard, and are essential to this position. Ability to attend evening meetings is essential. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home ( Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others ) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to 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. Contact for assistance. TTY EEO/AA/TTY.

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