Land Use Field Representative - Loudoun 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 Loudoun County. Joining a team of staff that cover Loudoun, this position assists with land use issues in Loudoun which include comprehensive plan development, zoning ordinances, regulatory standards, development proposals, and transportation planning. This position would likely be tackling challenging land use policies related to growth and economic development, rural land preservation and conservation, natural and historic resource protection, and others as needed.

The Loudoun field representative is responsible for gathering, analyzing, and distributing information on local land use issues and advocating for solutions consistent with PEC’s mission. The representative works directly with local residents, partner organizations, and government staff to advocate for land use policies and regulations that further smart growth practices, protect natural and cultural resources, and promote sustainability.

Areas of Responsibility

The land use field representative will be responsible for a mix of the functions outlined below:

• Monitoring and reviewing current and pending land use issues and generating PEC response, when appropriate
• Attending local government meetings regularly and participating in relevant committees and technical workgroups
• Serving as a technical resource on land use issues for partner organizations and the broader community
• Reviewing County staff reports and technical planning reports as needed and responding with comments from PEC as appropriate
• Advocating for and against specific land use policies and proposals
• Establishing and stewarding a grassroots network 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.
• Regularly updating PEC Board members, other PEC staff, and members of local advisory committees on relevant land use issues in Loudoun
• Coordinating with communications to draft email alerts, articles, and other advocacy publications as needed
• Collaborating with PEC communications and development staff to secure appropriate funding and highlight the benefits of PEC’s work in the region
• Tracking and logging 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 out of PEC’s headquarters office in Warrenton, VA, with some ability to telework. You can also expect to travel to locations within PEC’s nine-county service area a couple of times a quarter for meetings and site visits.

Required Qualifications

Outstanding candidates will share a commitment to PEC’s mission and will bring the following experience and attributes:

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, landscape architecture, public policy, sustainability or a related field or two 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
• 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.
• 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.
• Knowledge and experience with Google Suite and Microsoft Office productivity software.
• Requires minimal supervision.
• Willing to work some weekends and evenings.
• Reliable transportation (this position requires frequent travel within the geographic area).

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of local land use planning and zoning in Virginia
• Experience working with local residents and/or community organizations, particularly in leading public outreach and/or education campaigns.
• Familiarity with geographic information systems (GIS) software

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.