Senior Land Use Planner

Senior Land User Planner

Reston, VA

Summary

Senior Land Use Planners work alongside real estate attorneys and assists owners, developers and investors with all facets of land use and zoning, development and operation of residential, commercial, and large-scale mixed-use projects. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Responsibilities

• Prepare, manage, oversee and present complicated rezoning, special exception and other land development applications on a wide range of projects, predominately focused in Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Arlington Counties and the Cities of Alexandria, Falls Church and Vienna, as well as the Towns of Herndon, Leesburg and other Northern Virginia jurisdictions
• Organize, oversee and manage large, diverse project teams, typically involving clients, architects, civil engineers, transportation engineers, wetlands and environmental consultants, other planners, marketing and PR team members and other land planning and development consultants. Coordinate preparation of all application materials by members of a project team
• Liaise, communicate and interact with an entire series of representatives of local and state staffs and agencies within multiple departments (Planning, Zoning, Transportation, Environmental, Parks & Recreation, Schools, Urban Forester, Departments of Public Works, etc.) of a jurisdiction, to discuss, justify and negotiate the land development application and to respond to questions and comments
• Advise clients (ranging from small, local residential builders to multi-national major corporate entities, banks, large institutions investors, major financing institutions, corporate entities of every type, such as retailers, data center providers, residential and office REIT’s and others) on matters within their professional expertise at each stage of an application process, responding to comments and questions and preparing strategies to pursue project approval
• Perform land use, zoning, title and survey due diligence and analyze land use and redevelopment options
• Prepare development agreements, deeds, and other documents subject to legal review by attorneys
• Prepare public presentations and represent clients at public hearings and meetings with elected officials, citizen associations, planning commissions, boards, councils, etc.
• Advocate for zoning modifications and for approval of land use applications at televised public hearings before elected officials, planning commissioners, staff and citizen associations
• Draft development conditions and proffered conditions and work with attorneys and clients to negotiate commitments with County/City staff, Commissioners, and elected officials
• Research, monitor, propose revisions to, and lobby for amendments to local land use policies and zoning ordinances
• Mobilize our land use team, the lawyers, our clients and many other stakeholders (architects, planners, engineers, etc.) to address and modify potential changes to zoning ordinances
• Develop and maintain relationships with clients, engineers, architects, citizen groups, planning commissioners and elected officials at the local, state and federal levels
• Participate in local land use, transportation and real estate associations and forums
• Pursue business development endeavors, such as networking with property owners, developers, engineers, architects, transportation consultants, corporate representatives (e.g., facility managers, etc.), presenting at public seminars, forums, Chamber of Commerce events, etc.
• Draft and pursue critical (at times contentious) zoning determinations on behalf of our clients
• Carefully coordinate with, and defer any and all “legal” or legally related issues of any type or substance to, our partner and associate attorneys/counsel
• Other tasks as assigned or required

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in urban planning, urban design, or related field, or qualifying expertise in their specific area of practice
• 6+ years of experience working on real estate project development
• Available to work overtime, as required
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• AICP or LEED Certified
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities and track extensive details
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with clients and all levels of personnel and handle confidential information sensitively and discreetly
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast paced environment, while demonstrating initiative, diplomacy and tact when under pressure
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite
• Preferred:
• Active member of American Planning Association (“APA”)
• Member of American Institute of Certified Planners (“AICP”)
• Competencies:
• Professional demeanor and ability to command the respect of clients and Attorneys
• Good judgment, both for technical and business requirements
• Ability to work effectively with clients, co-workers, and others
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail essential
• Time management skills essential
• Ability to handle complex and fast-paced environment