Senior Land Use Field Representative – Fauquier County

Title: Senior Land Use Field Representative
Supervisor: Director of Land Use
Location: Warrenton, VA
Job Classification: Full Time – Exempt
Geographic Focus: Fauquier County

About PEC

The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) conserves and restores the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont, while building stronger, more sustainable communities. Founded in 1972, PEC is a locally based, community-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit and accredited land trust. At the core of PEC’s approach is a focus on educating, engaging and empowering people to effect positive change in their communities.

Your Role

PEC is seeking to hire an enthusiastic and passionate smart growth advocate to represent PEC on land use issues in Fauquier County. Land use policies include the locality’s comprehensive plan, zoning ordinances, regulatory standards, development proposals, energy infrastructure proposals, transportation planning and specific policies related to growth and economic development, rural land preservation and conservation, natural and historic resource protection, and others as needed.

The Senior Field Representative is responsible for gathering, analyzing, and distributing information on local land use issues, advocating for sensible solutions and working with local residents and local government in all activities associated with a community’s land use policies and regulations. The Senior Field Representative must have the ability to lead, inspire, and work collaboratively with the community at-large. Familiarity with land use planning, rural area protection, watershed management, and/or historic resource protection is desired.

Areas of Responsibility

The Senior Field Representative will be responsible for a mix of the functions outlined below:

• Monitoring and reviewing current and pending land use planning, transportation, and development activities and generating PEC response, when appropriate.
• Attending local government meetings and participating in relevant committees and technical workgroups.
• Serving as an information resource on land use issues, for both local government officials and the broader community.
• Establishing and stewarding a grassroots network within Fauquier County that supports PEC’s mission.
• Working directly with citizens and allied organizations to organize the public around campaigns, policies and outcomes supportive of the PEC mission, including adoption of language in the counties’ comprehensive plans and support or opposition to specific land use threats and opportunities.
• Thoughtfully advocating for and against specific land use policies and proposals.
• Promoting smart growth and environmentally friendly practices and polices in local government and businesses including building walkable communities, encouraging energy efficiency and integration of solar into the built environment, incorporating sustainable landscaping practices, implementing land conservation programs, and others consistent with PEC’s strategic plan.
• Coordinating with the communications team to draft email alerts, articles, website and social media posts, and content for other publications as needed.
• Regularly updating PEC Board members, other PEC staff, and members of local advisory committees on relevant land use issues in Fauquier.
• Collaborating with PEC communications and advancement staff to secure appropriate funding and highlight the benefits of PEC’s work in the region.
• Track and log interactions with supporters in our CRM database.

The field representative reports to PEC’s Director of Land Use, but will also work closely with other field representatives, departments within PEC, and members of the PEC Board of Directors. This position will be based at PEC’s headquarters in Warrenton, Virginia, with some ability to telework. There may also be travel to locations within PEC’s nine-county service area for meetings, site visits, etc.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, landscape architecture, environmental/natural resource management, public policy, environmental law, sustainability or a related field.
• Minimum of five years work experience in a related field.
• Strong work ethic and commitment to PEC’s core values, mission and vision.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice principles.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills, both written and oral, including ability to write, edit, and proofread written materials for use in communicating with the PEC Board of Directors, PEC staff, PEC members, and the public at large.
• Demonstrated knowledge of sustainable development practices and policies.
• Ability to organize, coordinate and manage diverse activities and deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with a diverse constituency including elected officials, non-profit representatives, neighborhood associations, and individual citizens with a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.
• Experience working with local residents and/or community organizations, particularly in leading public outreach and/or education campaigns.
• Requires minimal supervision.
• Willing to work some weekends and evenings.
• Reliable transportation (this position requires frequent travel within the geographic area).

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in a related field.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS online and the use of maps as a tool to communicate a broader message.
• Knowledge and expertise in local land use planning and zoning in Virginia
• Knowledge and experience with Google Suite and Microsoft Office productivity software
• Knowledge of environmental regulations and review at federal and state level (Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, NEPA, Section 106, National Ambient Air Quality Standards etc.)

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

This position will be completed in both an office environment with regular attendance at meetings at local government offices and other places, some of which may be at night. Office work requires extended sitting or standing and the use of a computer, keyboard, and mouse. 

Benefits

PEC offers an outstanding and robust benefits package including:

• Two health plans (83% employer paid premium for employee only plan, 73% employer paid for added dependents)
• Short & Long Term Disability*
• Group Term Life*
• Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity insurances*
• HSA account (with employer match up to $750 per year)
• FSA accounts (health & dependent)
• 403(b) pension plan with employer contribution after 1 year of service with 100% vesting from day one
• 10 paid holidays
• 2 floating holidays
• PTO leave – 24 days per year, accrued each pay period
• 1 day per year of paid leave to volunteer at another non-profit or charitable cause
• Salary continuation leave for employee or family illness – from 2 to 8 weeks fully paid leave eligibility every 24 months, depending on length of service
• Paid bereavement, jury duty and military service training leave
• Travel expense reimbursement
• Hybrid work environment and flexible work schedules
• Professional development support
• Payment for relevant licenses & professional membership fees.

*Indicates that this insurance premium is 100% paid by PEC for the employee’s coverage.

The Piedmont Environmental Council strives to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all aspects of achieving our mission. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. Read more about our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) commitments.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process may be requested.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.