Salary : $82,050.02 - $144,390.48 Annually
Location : Alexandria, VA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Planning and Zoning
Division: DEVELOPMENT
Opening Date: 08/20/2026
Closing Date: 9/2/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit: N/A

The Overview

This Principal Planner position is primarily responsible for supervising a team of professional planners and performing regulatory review of public facilities and other development plans from concept phase through construction in the Planning & Zoning's Development Planning Division. The Principal Planner will work with the Division Chief and other Principal Planners to manage work assignments within the Division; lead communications and meetings on development cases; oversee the review of letters, staff reports and presentations prepared by their review team; and present recommendations to City Council, Planning Commission and various civic groups. This planning position will be responsible for a wide range of development projects, as well as working within an interdisciplinary team environment to bring new planning efforts forward. While it is possible that teams within the Development Planning Division will be reassigned occasionally, the Principal Planner for this position will lead a team assigned to the Potomac Yard area of the City and handle all applications for public facilities, including schools, parks, and major infrastructure projects.

What You Should Bring

This Principal Planner should demonstrate leadership while working with various city departments and community groups in a collaborative team environment and encourage a collaborative approach among assigned team members. The Planner should demonstrate knowledge of current literature and recent practices in public sector planning, and the ability to explore creative ideas that facilitate innovative planning and development. The ideal candidate must be a highly motivated planner able to provide analytical assistance on complex development review applications by applying knowledge of planning and zoning regulations and policies to actual development and construction projects. The candidate must have strong analytical, written and oral communication skills and be able to work independently, have excellent and responsive customer service skills, the ability to handle multiple projects within established deadlines, and the ability to work effectively with the public and City agencies to resolve issues.

The Opportunity

This Principal Planner will be leading the Public Facilities team, as well as general urban planning activities. Major responsibilities include:

• Manage the workflow of the assigned team;
• Guide assigned staff in the review of public and private development projects and in the preparation of special studies and policy initiatives;
• Implement and support the development team with completing to streamline development review;
• Support the efforts of various departments implementing the City's CIP;
• Review and edit detailed staff reports pertaining to development projects;
• Lead interdepartmental development review of complex, multi-disciplinary development cases;
• Monitor staff in the execution of contract management responsibilities for special projects and in the development of deliverables;
• Review and edit graphics for presentations and printed materials;
• Present to Planning Commission; City Council and other commissions, boards and public bodies;
• Give presentations to senior management within P&Z and senior management within the City; and
• Perform related work as required.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of urban planning, urban design, zoning administration, and project management; ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing; proactive team leadership skills; significant knowledge of construction methods, documents and materials; strong analytical skills; proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Suite and Geographic Information System programs.

About the Department

The Department of Planning and Zoning works closely with the community in each area of the City to carry out the City's Strategic Plan for vibrant, amenity-rich neighborhoods, protected historic resources, and vital local businesses. With the community as our partner in developing neighborhood plans and reviewing proposals for development projects and businesses, we continue to deliver on the City's Vision we have developed together.

Job Family, Contribution Level and Career Ladder

Job Family: Medical/Scientific/Engineering/Technology ProfessionContribution Level: 4
Career Ladder: This job class is not part of a Career Ladder program

FLSA Status and Basis

FLSA Status: Exempt
FLSA Basis: Admn
EEO Category: Technicians

Minimum & Additional Requirements
Four-Year College Degree; at least five years of progressively responsible experience in urban or transportation planning and management of large-scale urban projects, and completion of college-level courses in urban planning, transportation or transit planning, public administration, engineering, geography, or a related field; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications
Master's Degree in urban planning, public administration, engineering, geography, or a related field; five or more years of direct management experience with development review and construction approvals for complex, urban development projects; at least three years of experience in presenting to municipal leaders, commissions and community groups; and American Institute of Certified Planner (AICP) or similar architecture/landscape architecture certification.

Notes
Application Process

Interested candidates are required to submit an application through the City's online recruitment system.

Required Documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• 2 Writing Samples such as a staff report or other professional product

Applications that do not include all required materials may not be considered.
The selected candidate will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment background check prior to appointment.

How many years of experience do you have with development review?
02

Summarize in a brief paragraph the development project or plan you contributed substantially to, including describing your role and contributions to its completion?
03

Explain your preferred project management style and several of your top skills for motivating your team to complete projects on time with excellent results?
Required Question