Salary : $64,296.44 - $113,149.40 Annually
Location : Alexandria, VA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:Department: Planning and Zoning
Division: LAND USE SER
Opening Date: 09/24/2026
Closing Date: 10/8/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit: N/A
Urban Planner II The Overview The City of Alexandria, Virginia, Department of Planning and Zoning is seeking a qualified applicant for the position of Urban Planner II in our Historic Preservation unit. Alexandria has two historic districts that comprise about 140 city blocks and over 5,600 structures from the 18-21st centuries. Alexandria is a dynamic and diverse planning environment located within the core of the Washington, DC metropolitan area and presents opportunities for planners to work with stakeholders and business owners within the city's neo-traditional neighborhoods, mixed use and transit-oriented areas, waterfront areas, established neighborhoods, and historic districts. This position will be part of a team of four preservation planners.
What You Should Bring The ideal candidate should have excellent and responsive customer service skills, ability to handle multiple projects within established deadlines; ability to work effectively with the public and City agencies to resolve issues; strong analytical; written and oral communication skills; extensive experience using strong organizing and multi-tasking skills; extensive experience using strong organizing and multi-tasking skills; and possess analytic skills necessary to address planning matters of varying levels of complexity. Candidates should be able to perform site visits and speak clearly and effectively on preservation methods on a variety of architectural elements. Selected candidate must also have the ability to quickly research information in detailed reports, communicate findings to Planning and Zoning staff, Boards of Architectural Review, and interact well with the public and staff of varying professional levels.
The Opportunity - Serve as a primary point of contact for the public and City staff, providing assistance by phone, email, and in person;
- Assist with the administration and enforcement of the Alexandria historic preservation regulations and processes;
- Receive, review, and manage applications and case files;
- Conduct complex architectural, historical, and zoning research related to Board of Architectural Review (BAR) Administrative Approval Cases, Certificates of Appropriateness, and Permits to Demolish; including Reviewing, analyzing, and interpreting construction documents, product specifications, site plans, special use permits, building permit applications, and Certificates of Occupancy to evaluate compliance with historic preservation design guidelines and applicable regulations;
- Reviews final detailed construction documents for compliance with approvals prior to issuance of a Building Permit;
- Assist in the preparation of clear, engaging PowerPoint presentations for City boards and commissions, community groups, and other interested parties;
- Prepare staff reports and recommendations for consideration by the BAR; and
- Conduct site inspections throughout the City's historic districts, including inspections of active construction sites.
About the Department The Department of Planning and Zoning works closely with the community in each area of the City to carry out City Council'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.
Essential Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesGood knowledge of the principles and practices of City planning; good knowledge of economics, municipal finance and sociology as applied to city planning; good knowledge of current literature and recent developments in the field of public sector planning; some knowledge of the principles of public administration; some knowledge of the principles and practices of engineering and physical design as applied to city planning; ability to plan, assign and direct the work of subordinate employees in technical research on economic, sociological, design and planning problems; ability to analyze and systematically compile technical and statistical information and to prepare technical reports; ability to develop creative approaches for the solution of planning problems; ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with employees, officials, other agencies, other jurisdictions and the general public; and the ability to evaluate planning proposals.
Job Family, Contribution Level and Career LadderJob Family: Medical/Scientific/Engineering/Technology Professions
Contribution Level: 3
Career Ladder: This job class is part of the Urban Planner Career Ladder program
FLSA Status and BasisFLSA Status: Exempt
FLSA Basis: Admn
EEO Category: Professionals
Minimum & Additional RequirementsMinimum: Four-Year College Degree from an accredited college or university in regional, or urban Planning, or a closely related field such as Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Geography, Urban Studies, Public Administration, Physical Sciences, Historic Preservation, or Environmental Studies; three years of experience or Master's degree with 1 year experience; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Preferred QualificationsThe preferred candidate will have a four-year college degree in Historic Preservation, Urban Planning, Architecture, or a related field and at least one year of experience working for a government agency, board or commission, or in a similar regulatory environment, and will have an understanding of historic preservation principles and practices, experience reading and analyzing architectural designs and construction documents, and a positive attitude with demonstrated superior customer service skills. This candidate will have proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (including the ability to prepare visually compelling PowerPoint presentations), Adobe (graphics editing and layouts in InDesign or other similar programs) and familiarity with GIS with the ability to prepare complex graphics and maps for the website and other special projects.
The preferred candidate will also have strong understanding with American architectural styles, building terminology, construction techniques, building survey and best preservation practices and will be able to work well as part of a team, under the supervision of a senior planner.
NotesSalary Information:$64,296.44 - $113,149.40 annually, depending on education and experience. The Department may offer a starting salary up to
$86,127.86 (Step 8), based on the selected candidate's qualifications, education, and experience.
Application ProcessThis position requires successful completion of pre-employment background checks to include but not limited to a criminal history records check.
Applicants must submit two professional writing samples that demonstrate the ability to conduct research, analyze information, interpret regulations or design guidelines, and communicate findings clearly and effectively. At least one sample should demonstrate technical or regulatory analysis, such as a staff report, professional memorandum, design review analysis, historic resource evaluation, or similar document. The second sample should demonstrate the ability to communicate complex information to a public or non-technical audience. Samples may be excerpts from larger documents and should not exceed 10 pages in total. Applicants should redact confidential, proprietary, or personally identifiable information as appropriate.
I understand that failure to thoroughly and accurately complete the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections on my application and the "Supplemental Questionnaire" will result in my application being rejected.
Do you have a four-year college degree from an accredited college or university in Historic Preservation, Regional or Urban Planning, or a closely-related field such as Architecture, Landscape Architecture, History, Geography, Urban Studies, Public Administration, Physical Sciences, or Environmental Studies; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities?
The preferred candidate will have a four-year college degree in Historic Preservation, Urban Planning, Architecture or a related field. Do you meet this preferred qualification?
Do you have an understanding of historic preservation practices, treatment measures and experience reading and analyzing architectural designs and construction drawings?
Do you have experience analyzing proposed projects for compliance with historic preservation guidelines or standards?
Do you have at least one year of experience working for a government agency, board or commission, or in a similar regulatory environment?
The preferred candidate will have a positive attitude with demonstrated superior customer service skills. Do you meet this preferred qualification?
Do you have experience using GIS systems to find information?
Are you able to create engaging and graphic-heavy presentations in PowerPoint?
Required Question
