Principal Planner for Plan Implementation

City of Alexandria, Virginia; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Alexandria, Virginia is seeking a Principal Planner in the Department of Planning & Zoning. The role focuses on advancing the Comprehensive Plan, small area plans, and redevelopment strategies, translating plans into actionable projects and measurable outcomes.

The ideal candidate has extensive long-range planning experience, strong communication skills, and supervisory abilities, with GIS and Adobe tools used in daily work.

Qualifications

• Four-Year College Degree; at least five years of progressively-responsible experience in urban or transportation planning and management of large-scale urban projects.
• Course work in urban planning, transportation or transit planning, public administration, engineering, geography or related fields.
• Preferred qualifications include a Master’s degree, more than five years of planning experience, and AICP certification.

Responsibilities

• Leads and coordinates implementation of adopted plans, planning studies, redevelopment initiatives, and strategic projects.
• Develops implementation strategies, timelines, and coordination mechanisms to move plans into execution.
• Identifies funding sources, partnerships, and regulatory considerations affecting implementation.
• Tracks progress, obligations, infrastructure improvements, and performance measures.
• Supports redevelopment and economic development through project coordination and collaboration with partners.
• Supervises urban planners; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication skills

Public speaking

Interpersonal skills

Supervisory experience

Education

Four-Year College Degree

Master’s degree in urban planning or related field

AICP certification

Tools

GIS

Adobe graphics

Job description

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

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.

The Opportunity – Examples of Work

The Principal Planner performs advanced-level professional planning, project management, and implementation coordination work within the Department of Planning & Zoning. 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 implementation and delivery — translating adopted plans and policy direction into actionable projects, coordinated initiatives, and measurable outcomes. The Principal Planner works collaboratively across City departments and with external partners to move planning initiatives from concept to execution, ensuring projects remain aligned with City priorities, schedules, funding opportunities, and regulatory requirements. The position serves as a key coordinator for complex and multi-departmental initiatives involving infrastructure improvements, redevelopment efforts, public-private partnerships, economic development strategies, and community planning objectives.

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

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.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• At least two (2) professional writing and/or portfolio samples of work (may submit hyperlinks if too large to submit)

The final selected candidate would be required to go through a background check before extension of a final offer letter.

Salary

$82,050.02 - $144,390.48 annually, depending on education and experience. The Department may offer a starting salary up to $109,908.76 (Step 8), based on the selected candidate’s qualifications, education, and experience.

The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, military status, or disability.

We are proud to welcome you to explore the City of Alexandria's excellent benefits and programs!

The benefits referenced on this site, may be changed from time to time without notice. Temporary and some part‑time positions are not eligible for these benefits. For further information, please contact the Talent Acquisition Team of Human Resources at [e-mail].