Land Use Planner

Land Use Planner

Position summary: Land Use Planners work alongside real estate attorneys and senior land planners, planning and development specialists to assist owners, developers and investors with all facets of land use and zoning, development and operation of residential, commercial, and large-scale mixed-use projects. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Position responsibilities:

• Assist in preparing, managing, and overseeing rezoning, special exception and other land development applications, predominately focused on Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Arlington Counties and the Cities of Alexandria, Falls Church and Fairfax, as well as the Towns of Herndon, Leesburg, Vienna, and other Northern Virginia jurisdictions
• Provide assistance with the processing of permits and bonds
• Undertake land use, zoning, title, and survey due diligence
• Prepare deeds and other legal documents
• Research, monitor, and report on revisions to local land use policies and zoning ordinances
• Network and develop relationships with clients, engineers, architects, citizen groups, planning commissioners and elected officials at the local, state and federal levels
• Attend public hearings and assist in preparing public presentations to represent clients’ interests
• Work directly with clients and planning staff of various jurisdictions
• Assist with correspondence with elected officials to discuss proposed land use projects
• Participate in local land use, transportation and real estate associations, and forums
• Carefully coordinate with, and defer any and all “legal” or legally related issues of any type or substance to, our partner and associate attorneys/counsel
• Other tasks as assigned by Paralegal Management, supervising attorneys, other planners and specialists
• Prepare project closing binders and records of project approvals
• Present land use applications to planning commissions, board of supervisors and council members in various jurisdictions
• Prepare affidavits and mailings
• Train and mentor members of the land use team, including those in the Land Use Planner I role
• All other duties as assigned or required

Skills and experience:

Required:

• Available to work overtime, as required
• After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage and other firm applications
• 4+ years’ experience in land use planning or a related real estate position
• Bachelor's Degree in urban planning, urban design, or related field, or qualifying expertise in their specific area of practice
• Bill a minimum of 1600 hours annually
• Turn in time sheets by required deadlines

Preferred:

• Master’s Degree in urban planning, urban design, or related field, or qualifying expertise in their specific area of practice
• Member of American Planning Association (“APA”)
• AICP or LEED Certification

Competencies:

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment for multiple supervisors, manage time and meet deadlines and maintain flexibility with work assignments (including changes in attorney/paralegal assignments) and work schedule
• Ability to effectively and efficiently organize and prioritize work assignments, as well as delegate tasks to service departments when necessary
• Proven initiative, diplomacy and tact
• Excellent written and verbal, communication and proofreading skills and strong attention to detail
• Reliable, committed and punctual

Cooley LLP offers a competitive compensation and excellent benefits program. EOE. 

The expected hourly pay range for this position is $40.00 to $52.00. Please note that final offer amount will be dependent on geographic location, applicable experience and skillset of the candidate.

We offer a full range of elective benefits including medical, health savings account (with applicable medical plan), dental, vision, health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits, life insurance, AD&D, long-term care coverage, backup care for children and/or adults and other parental support benefits. In addition to elective benefit options, benefited employees receive firm-paid life insurance, AD&D, LTD, short term medical benefits as well as 20 days of Paid Time Off (“PTO”) and 10 paid holidays each year. We provide generous parental leave and fertility benefits. New employees will attend a detailed benefit orientation to learn more about our many benefits and resources.