Salary : $97,582.37 - $162,638.32 Annually
Location : HERRITY BUILDING (B-2), 12055 GOVERNMENT CENTER PKWY, FAIRFAX (EJ26), VA
Job Type: FT Salary W BN
Job Number: 26-00534
Department: Planning and Development
Opening Date: 06/16/2026
Closing Date: 6/17/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S32
Posting Type: Open to General Public

Job Announcement

There are five branch chiefs within ZED that collectively manage a group of professional planners and/or technical staff that are responsible for development review of proposals seeking approval from the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals. This branch chief specifically manages the Conformance Review and Acceptance Branch of the division, a branch responsible for reviewing applications upon their initial submittal for compliance with the submission requirements found in the Zoning Ordinance and also for responding to requests for determination of substantial conformance after entitlement if minor changes are proposed. The Branch Chief serves as a member of ZED's management team and is responsible for hiring and training staff within the branch.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a solutions first mindset that prioritizes creative and contextual problem solving using accepted planning principles. This candidate will be an organized self-starter who can clearly articulate positions both in writing and verbally at meetings and in presentations. In addition, the ideal candidate will be skilled at leading staff teams and working with others to foster strong partnerships with those in the public and private sector, including business and community groups.

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.
Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
(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 seven years of experience in a planning-related field including two years increasingly responsible experience with leading teams, project management and/or staff management.

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:
The ideal candidate has a master's degree in planning, public administration or closely related field, plus increasingly responsible professional and/or supervisory experience in one or more of the following areas: 1) development review of requests for entitlement or administrative approval; 2) presenting to boards or commissions; 3) Site/development plan analysis and review; 4) Strong abilities in written and oral communication and problem-solving skills; and 5) Understanding of Virginia planning, zoning interpretation and understanding of Comprehensive Planning.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work is generally sedentary in a normal work environment. Employee may be required to do some walking, standing, bending and carrying items under 5 lbs. in weight. Ability to operate keyboard driven equipment. Work requires strong communication skills, both orally and in writing. 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 ) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

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
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees' Child Care Center
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

Please click 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:

For additional details please visit the
Non-Merit Positions

1. 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
2. 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
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's 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.

• Planning
• Urban planning
• Regional planning
• Geography
• Environmental 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 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 to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten to less than eleven years
• Eleven or more years

06

Of the previous experience, how many years of increasingly responsible experience do you have with leading teams, project management and/or staff management?

• 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

Do you have experience presenting staff recommendations to any of the following boards or commissions? Check all that apply.

• Planning Commission
• Board of Zoning Appeals
• Board of Supervisors
• Civic Associations
• None of the above

08

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

• Managing zoning ordinance amendments
• Processing appeals of determinations of the zoning administrator
• Reviewing development applications
• Managing or leading community outreach
• None of the above

09

How many years of full-time equivalent supervisory experience do you have?

• 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 to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten or more years

10

How many years of experience do you have in Virginia planning, zoning interpretation, and understanding of Comprehensive Planning?

• 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

How many years of experience do you have in site/development plan analysis and review?

• 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

Required Question