Senior Urban Designer

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Community Planning, Housing and Development Department (CPHD) is seeking a Senior Urban Designer to join our Planning team to be the lead project manager in an internal urban design team that provides support to several operating units with Arlington County. This employee will advocate for high quality design in the Arlington community while lending technical expertise to internal site plan review processes and long-range planning projects.

The Planning Division within CPHD plays a key role in guiding and regulating growth and development. We carefully study the potential impacts of new development, and use a planning approach that incorporates smart growth principles, urban design and extensive community involvement. Our primary services include Comprehensive Planning, Current Planning and Urban Design.

Major Job Duties:

• As a project manager, lead processes necessary to prepare complex planning, urban design, and related strategies including but not limited to:

• Architectural, urban design guidelines, concepts and implementation strategies to serve as policy guidance for a range of planning and development applications and initiatives;

• Urban and architectural design, and site planning recommendations to the CPHD Planning Division, County departments, County Board, Planning Commission and its subcommittees;

• Organize and facilitate public meetings, charrettes and other forms of community engagement focused on managed projects;

• Contribute technical expertise including generating 3D computer visualization products as it applies to architecture, urban design and landscape architecture planning solutions;

• Draft design principles associated with building form, height and massing, facade elevations, architectural features, circulation, accessibility, and connectivity with the surrounding built environment;

• Serve as the staff liaison and coordinator for the Public Facilities Review Committee (PFRC). The purpose of the PFRC is to allow for timely input on the development of County and school projects prior to public hearings to ensure the highest quality of land use planning, design, transportation planning and other important community aspects are incorporated into civic projects;

• Urban Design contributor, researching, educating and advocating best practices in urban design to the Arlington community, other county departments and Planning Division staff;

• Develop tours and presentations of various public and private sector development projects for visitors, students, and local and civic businesses, organizations and groups;

• Present innovative design solutions for adaptive reuse and urban infill development, organizing and supporting public charettes and internally focused urban design activities; and

• Manage the Design Arlington awards program in support of design excellence in Arlington County's built environment, which includes the nomination solicitation, jury selection, and event promotion.

Minimums:

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or related field; and
• Three (3) years progressively responsible experience in program administration of urban planning, land use, community development, planning and urban design of public facilities, or other related program areas.

Substitution: Additional education may be substituted for experience.

Desirable: Preference may be given to candidates with a Master's degree in a related field and/or experience in one or more of the following:

• Preparing and presenting complex reports, findings and recommendations through effective written, verbal, graphic and electronic means;
• Senior-level project management experience associated with the review of TOD-related site plans and successful application of urban design principles and practices;
• Working closely with the community, stakeholder groups and commissions; and
• Working for local government or supporting through consultancy.

Possession of one or more of the following Certifications/Licenses preferred:

• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP);
• Registered Architect; and
• Registered Landscape Architect.

Special Requirements:

Please attach a Resume to this application.

Background Check - Pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.

Driver's License - Applicant must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid driver's license, and must provide or authorize Arlington County to obtain a copy of official driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon favorable review of the applicants driving record.

Financial Disclosure - Completion of the Commonwealth of Virginia Statement of Economic Interest form will be required of the successful candidate upon acceptance of employment and annually thereafter.

Additional Information

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, with flexible and telework hours. Evening and weekend work may be required to attend community, Planning Commission, and County Board meetings.

The official job title is Planner, Principal. The pay range listed above is effective July 1, 2025.

For more information on Arlington's generous benefits and retirement plan, click here.

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