Assistant Director- Planning & Zoning

Welcome and thank you for your interest in employment with Loudoun County Government!

ALL SECTIONS OF THE APPLICATION MUST BE COMPLETED IN ITS ENTIRETY. THE RESUME IS CONSIDERED SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ONLY. APPLICATIONS THAT ARE INCOMPLETE OR INDICATE 'SEE RESUME' WILL NOT BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.

Loudoun County, Virginia's Department of Planning and Zoning is seeking an Assistant Director to oversee three programs: Community Planning, which focuses on long-range planning; Land Use Review, which processes legislative land development applications; and the Customer Service Center, which provides first-tier customer service to the department's internal and external customers. The ideal candidate shares a passion for engaging in local government public processes and advising boards and commissions on complex land use challenges, and thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced, result-oriented environment.

The successful candidate will serve as one of the department's three Assistant Directors and will lead, mentor, and motivate a team of approximately thirty professional planners, including three program managers. The Assistant Director assists the Department Director and Deputy Director with operations related to work plans, the budget, and human resources; provides leadership in the ongoing development and implementation of the Loudoun 2019 Comprehensive Plan; and ensures timely delivery of high-quality staff reports, written referral comments, and responses to customer inquiries.

The Assistant Director serves as the main staff liaison to the Planning Commission, the County Attorney's Office, and County Administration on all legislative land use agenda items. This includes providing briefings, updates, and recommendations and speaking at regular evening public hearings and work sessions. The ability to effectively work with and develop positive relationships with Planning Commissioners, colleagues, elected and appointed officials, community and industry groups, the media, and others is essential.

The successful candidate will have strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to guide staff in preparing effective staff reports, technical recommendations, and presentations for legislative land development applications. This position requires strong interpersonal skills and a style that emphasizes diplomacy. The ideal candidate excels at negotiating sensitive issues, analyzing conflicts, and seeking reasonable resolutions.

Hiring salary is commensurate with experience.

* Master's degree in Urban or Regional Planning, Public Administration, Public Policy, Real Estate, Historic Preservation, Architecture, Engineering, Law, or related field; and
* Minimum of five (5) years of directly related, progressively responsible work experience including a minimum of three (3) years in a supervisory or management role, preferably in a government setting; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
* Preference will be given to candidates with American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification.

This position requires a valid driver's license, DMV, credit, and criminal background check. After an initial training period, telework 2 days a week is an option. Relocation assistance is available to successful candidates who live more than 40 miles away.
Attendance at night meetings after normal business hours is expected.