Principal Planner for Plan Implementation

IMDiversity; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Alexandria seeks a Principal Planner for Plan Implementation in the Department of Planning & Zoning. The role focuses on advancing the City’s Comprehensive Plan, small area plans, and redevelopment strategies through actionable projects and coordinated initiatives.

The ideal candidate has extensive long-range planning experience, strong community engagement, and the ability to manage complex projects with diverse stakeholders. GIS and Adobe tools proficiency is expected.

Qualifications

• Four-year college degree required; five years of urban/transportation planning experience.
• Preferred master’s degree in urban planning or related field; supervisory experience.
• Strong communication and public speaking skills; ability to coordinate across departments.

Responsibilities

• Leads and coordinates implementation of adopted plans, studies, redevelopment initiatives, and strategic projects with measurable outcomes.
• Develops implementation strategies, action plans, timelines and coordination mechanisms.
• Identifies funding sources, partnerships, and regulatory considerations for plan implementation.
• Tracks progress, commitments, infrastructure improvements, and performance measures; prepares status updates.
• Supports redevelopment and economic development initiatives through project coordination and collaboration with public/private partners.
• Supervises urban planners; performs related duties as assigned.

Skills

Analytical skills

Oral and written communication

Public speaking

Supervisory experience

Education

Four-Year College Degree

Master’s degree in urban planning or related field

Tools

GIS

Adobe graphics

Job description

Principal Planner for Plan Implementation

Salary
$82,050.02 - $109,908.76 Annually

Location
Alexandria, VA

Job Type
Full-Time

Job Number
2027-00553

Department
Planning and Zoning

Division
NEI PLN & CO

Bargaining Unit
N/A

Description

Principal Planner for Plan Implementation

Department of Planning & Zoning

About Alexandria

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 160,000, and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest City in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. With two local historic districts, seven national register districts, and a variety of distinct neighborhoods, we proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Principal Planner position within the Department of Planning & Zoning.

An Overview

The Department of Planning & Zoning (P&Z) consists of 59.5 positions within five divisions, including the Leadership and Management Services division, the Land Use Services division, the Neighborhood Planning & Community Development (NPCD) division, the Development Planning division, and the Development Engineering division. The Principal Planner in NPCD supports long range planning and implementation activities with a focus on economic and community development. This position plays a lead role in advancing and executing the City’s Comprehensive Plan, small area plans, redevelopment strategies, and other adopted City initiatives. The position is focused on plan implementation and project delivery, which entails translating adopted plans and policy direction into actionable projects, coordinated initiatives, and measurable outcomes.

What You Should Bring

You should be a highly motivated planning professional with extensive experience in conducting long range planning processes and the implementation of long-range plans and shorter-term strategies. You should have expertise in community engagement, land use planning, development economics, and a demonstrated ability to manage and complete complex projects with competing priorities. The role requires supervisory experience, excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, sound knowledge of planning principles and regulatory processes, and the ability to address the needs and challenges of a wide spectrum of stakeholders in an economically constrained market. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, along with experience and ease in public speaking. Experience in coordinating across departments, supporting policy implementation, and contributing to process improvements is important. Proficiency in GIS, Adobe graphics packages, and strong organizational and customer service skills, is also expected.

Examples of primary tasks include:

• Leads and coordinates implementation of adopted plans, planning studies, redevelopment initiatives, and strategic projects, with a focus on achieving measurable outcomes and advancing City priorities;
• Develops implementation strategies, action plans, timelines, and coordination mechanisms to move adopted planning initiatives into execution;
• Identifies opportunities, funding sources, partnerships, and regulatory considerations that affect implementation of adopted plans and initiatives;
• Tracks implementation progress, development-related commitments, infrastructure improvements, and strategic initiative outcomes, and prepares status updates and performance measures;
• Supports redevelopment and economic development initiatives through project coordination, implementation planning, and collaboration with public and private partners;
• Supervises urban planners; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Focus areas for the next year include:

• Work with AEDP to implement ALX Forward https://www.alexandriava.gov/ALXForward
• Help implement strategic initiatives and demonstration projects in small area plans
• Prepare and maintain a catalog of real estate investment opportunities, summarizing land area, assessed values, ownership, current uses, planned uses, nearby demographics, plan guidance
• Work with a consultant to maintain the City’s fiscal impact model for new development

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of urban planning, development economics, community development, project management, and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing.

Job Family, Contribution Level and Career Ladder

Job Family: Medical/Scientific/Engineering/Technology Profession

Contribution 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

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

This class specification provides a generalized representation of positions in this class. It is not intended to reflect essential functions pursuant to ADA, nor is it intended to list every specific function and task of this class title. A job class may also have a medical standard associated with specific physical or mental requirements that must be met.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

• Minimum: 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 or related field; more than five years of progressive planning experience; experience with economic development and plan implementation; management of large- and small-scale complex urban projects, AICP certification, supervisory experience.