Salary : $81,382.29 - $135,637.01 Annually
Location : FAIRFAX (EJ26), VA
Job Type: FT Salary W BN
Job Number: 25-00501
Department: Park Authority
Opening Date: 03/01/2025
Closing Date: 3/21/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S28
Posting Type: Open to General Public
Job Announcement Join the Park Authority and our nationally recognized team of professionals! Fairfax County is a dynamic community with 1.1 million residents, an award-winning park system, a top-notch school system, safe neighborhoods, and a highly diverse population. The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is seeking a Senior Landscape Architect to manage complex park planning and design projects that inform park development across the county, bringing creativity, imagination, and a keen sense for aesthetics to the work of FCPA's Park Planning Branch in the Stewardship and Planning Division. With more than 24,000 acres of parkland, over 420 parks, and an estimated 18 million park users per year, FCPA is an exciting organization to be a part of. There are many opportunities for staff to make a difference at every level.
As a key senior member of a team of planners and landscape architects, performs a wide variety of park planning responsibilities, including contributions to long range park system planning, developing conceptual park plans, leading special studies, and collaborates with multi-disciplinary staff to create quality parks as an essential element of planning and design. This position advances racial and social equity through park planning and design practices, delivering well-thought-out designs and plans that provide community benefits and enhance the county's network of parks and open space. May lead and/or participate in small project teams, but also must be able to operate independently, exercising experienced professional judgement and taking initiative to start, complete, and close out a variety of tasks. Major responsibilities include:
- Functions as a senior project lead to develop park conceptual development plans and conduct studies of park and recreation issues and trends.
- Coordinates the efforts of staff from various park divisions and outside agencies, regularly communicating expectations, deadlines, and project status.
- Identifies and initiates the need for coordination with stakeholders in planning, projects, and special studies.
- Plans and coordinates public outreach activities and collaborates across Park Authority branches and divisions to formulate recommendations.
- Makes presentations to the Park Authority Board, Planning Commission, civic groups, and other interested parties regarding park plans.
- Analyzes properties for improved access, recreational opportunities, accessibility, development constraints, and resource protection. Analysis includes evaluation of existing physical conditions within the property and the context of the site within the surrounding community. Analysis considers an individual site, its contribution to the larger county park network, and the extent to which it advances the agency's equity goals, in accordance with Park Authority policies.
- Synthesizes analysis of existing conditions with park system needs, community needs and preferences, and project team recommendations to develop overall concept plans for park plans, illustrate concepts related to special studies, develop community design guidelines, or create design scenarios to support development plan review and partnership projects.
- Researches current and emerging parks and recreation issues, trends, and best and/or emerging practices in park planning and landscape architecture to ensure current knowledge of professional trends and practices.
- Coordinates work effort of consultants to identify needed work product and ensure timely, accurate completion.
Schedule Notice: This position is eligible for up to two days of telework. The position may require participation/attendance of meetings/events on nights and/or weekends.
Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of landscape architecture;
- Knowledge of park planning;
- Knowledge of construction practices;
- Knowledge of architecture, engineering and landscape architecture drawing and illustration practices;
- Ability to collect data, evaluate it and, from it, prepare special plans and/or reports;
- Ability to maintain effective relationships with the public, County employees and Park
- Authority employees;
- Ability to speak and write effectively;
- Ability to plan and coordinate the work of professional and technical employees in
- landscape architecture and/or park planning;
- Ability to supervise the work of others.
Employment StandardsMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to"
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in landscape architecture (four- or five-year course) or a related field; plus, three years of progressively responsible experience in landscape architecture and/or park planning.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:- Master's degree in landscape architecture, planning, urban design, or related area.
- One of the following certifications: Certified Planner (AICP/APA), Professional Landscape Architect (PLA/ASLA), or Registered Architect (RA/AIA).
- Familiarity with Fairfax County Public Facilities Manual, stormwater regulations, Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance.
- Proficiency with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in the current version of ArcView, AutoCAD, and Adobe Creative Suite applications used in the preparation of design and planning documents.
- Proficiency using Microsoft Productivity software including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams.
- Experience incorporating racial and social equity principles in planning, design, and leadership practices.
- Experience developing conceptual park plans and designs and reviewing complex rezoning applications and engineered site plans.
- Experience in the review of high-profile, complex, mixed-use, and/or transit-oriented (TOD) development plans.
- Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication and collaboration skills.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED: Driver's License (required)
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Duties are generally sedentary in nature; however, work assignments may require the employee to make site visits. Site visits may include moderate hiking/walking uneven ground in various weather conditions, standing, bending, and carrying items up to 25 lbs. Visual acuity is required to read data on computer monitors, ability to operate keyboard driven equipment. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE: Panel interview and may include exercise.
The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home () and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.
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Merit PositionsFairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:
- Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
- Group Term Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability
- LiveWell Program
- Flexible Spending Programs
- Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
- Paid Holidays
- Contributory Retirement Plan
- Deferred Compensation
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employees' Child Care Center
- Commuter Benefit Program
- Continuous Learning Opportunities
NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
For additional details please visit the
Non-Merit Positions - Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.
- Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
- Flexible Spending Program
- Deferred Compensation
- Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.
01
What is the highest level of education that you have completed?
- Less than 12th grade
- High school diploma or GED
- Some college
- Associate's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Master's degree
- Doctorate degree
02
If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a degree.
- Less than 45 quarter hours
- 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
- 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
- 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
- 180 or more quarter hours
- Less than 30 semester hours
- 30 to less than 60 semester hours
- 60 to less than 90 semester hours
- 90 to less than 120 semester hours
- 120 or more semester hours
- Not applicable
03
Please indicate the major(s) or minor(s) for your completed degree(s). Check all that apply.
- Planning
- Landscape architecture
- Architecture
- Recreation planning
- Urban design
- Other (related field)
- Other (non-related field)
- Not applicable
04
If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list all of your majors and minors. If this question does not pertain to you, or you do not have a degree, enter "Not applicable".
05
Do you currently possess a valid driver's license?
06
How many years of full-time equivalent progressively responsible experience in landscape architecture and/or park planning do you possess?
(Progressively responsible experience: Refers to tasks, job duties, or roles that demonstrate growth and/or advancement in complexity, difficulty, or level of responsibility.) - None
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five to less than six years
- Six to less than seven years
- Seven to less than eight years
- Eight or more years
07
How many years of full-time equivalent experience in landscape architecture, park planning, park design, master planning, urban design or environmental planning do you possess?
- None
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five or more years
08
How many years of full-time equivalent progressively responsible experience do you have incorporating racial and social equity plans into planning and design for public spaces?
(Progressively responsible experience: Refers to tasks, job duties, or roles that demonstrate growth and/or advancement in complexity, difficulty, or level of responsibility.) - None
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five to less than six years
- Six or more years
09
How would you describe your knowledge, skills and abilities in the principles, laws and regulations related to comprehensive planning, zoning, and public land rights?
- None
- Low
- Moderate
- Intermediate
- Advanced
10
How would you describe your knowledge, skills and abilities related to managing complex projects and diverse project teams?
- None
- Low
- Moderate
- Intermediate
- Advanced
11
Do you have experience preparing and presenting reports to senior/executive management, citizens, Boards and Commissions?
12
How would you describe your knowledge, skills and abilities related to effective written and visual communication in correspondence, reports, plans and review comments?
- None
- Low
- Moderate
- Intermediate
- Advanced
13
How would you describe your knowledge, skills and abilities related to use of Microsoft Office Productivity software (Word, Excel, Power Point) used to prepare documents, data analysis, presentations, and planning documents?
- None
- Low
- Moderate
- Intermediate
- Advanced
14
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have using Adobe Suite (Creative Cloud, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, etc.) in their current versions?
- None
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five or more years
15
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in their current version?
- None
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five or more years
16
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have using AutoCAD software in their current version?
- None
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five or more years
17
Are you willing to work outside of regular work hours to attend/conduct meetings and other project related purposes?
Required Question
