JOB DESCRIPTION

The Development Program Planner, the purpose of this position is to provide professional and technical planning, and zoning review of private development, including zoning map amendments, site plans, subdivision plans and other applicant submitted plans, as well as town capital improvement plans, to ensure compliance with applicable town codes, regulations, policies and guidelines.

This position works with the Development Program Planner and Zoning Administrator to ensure that plans of various magnitudes meet all town requirements. This position works with and facilitates discussion with other town departments, outside agencies, consultants, developers, and the public, and presents before elected and appointed officials. The position supports other professional planning functions within the department of Community Development as assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Reviews private development plans, site plans, legislative applications, building location surveys, as-builts and building permits for compliance with local, state and federal codes, ordinances and design standards.
2. Evaluates planning, zoning, urban design and landscape aspects of entire site development.
3. Maintains and updates development information on the departmental website and the department pipeline report. Maintains review data for case tracking and performance metrics.
4. Coordinates across town departments (Community Development, Public Works Operations, Parks and Recreation, Legal, etc.) to support the review and approval process and ensures comments are coordinated and aligned.
5. Serves as a technical resource to developers, consultants and residents by clarifying requirements and resolving planning, zoning, and design issues.
6. Oversees and coordinates the use of external planning consultants for plan review services when necessary, ensuring consistency with local, State and Federal codes, ordinances, standards, procedures and regulatory requirements.
7. Participates in pre-application and pre-submission meetings with developers, engineers, contractors and internal staff to provide early guidance on code requirements and process and review procedures.
8. Assists with project management of planning studies, including but not limited to topics associated with urban design, placemaking, active transportation and land use.
9. Reviews and provides comments on traffic studies, water quality impact assessments, and other technical documents submitted in support of development applications.
10. Assists in the preparation of staff reports, presentations and recommendations for the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals and Town Council.
11. Coordinates with external agencies such as VDOT, Fairfax County, and utility providers to ensure project consistency with local and regional standards and requirements.
12. Performs field inspections to verify compliance with approved plans.
13. Collaborates with staff to implement and refine planning processes that improve consistency, efficiency and compliance.
14. Prepares correspondence, reports and other documentation to support compliance and enforcement.
15. Prepares and maintains standard operating procedures (SOPs) for planning review processes to ensure consistency, efficiency and compliance across the division.
16. Prepares, updates and interprets the town's design standards and related technical guidance.
17. Responds to inquiries and complaints from citizens and stakeholders, investigates concerns, and recommends corrective measures when necessary.
18. Maintains accurate records of plan reviews, inspections and approvals in the town's tracking system to support document retention requirements, town Annual Report and FOIA requests.
19. Performs other duties as required.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in urban planning or a closely related field.
• Minimum three years of progressively responsible experience in urban planning and development review or related current planning and zoning work.
• Familiarity with Bluebeam, SharePoint, GIS, AutoCAD, Microsoft Office and City Works preferred.
• AICP Certified, or ability to obtain within 24 months of hire.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance

The Town of Herndon, VA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the ADA, the town will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with this employer.

Duties involve the ability to exert light, physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light to heavy weight (up to 30 pounds). May involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation; requires the ability to perform semi-skilled, coordinated movements such as those required to climb ladders and scaffolding; operate computer and office equipment; some duties require visual perception and discrimination; some duties require oral communications ability.

Tasks may risk exposure to adverse environmental conditions such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, toxic agents, violence, disease, and pathogenic substances.