Category: 
Job


Location: Wheaton, MD

Planner II /III

Salary: $67,614.00 - $121,955.00 Annually

Closing: 4/6/2023

Description
Are you an experienced urban planner or landscape architect with an understanding of natural resource inventory plans, forest conservation plans, and landscape plans? If so, the Montgomery County Planning Department is where you want to be! We are currently seeking a motivated Planner II or Planner III for our Downcounty Planning Division with a focus on environmental planning. We are looking for someone who is passionate about shaping Montgomery County for the 21st century by having a broad impact on the built environment while advocating for Design Excellence. This is an opportunity to have a broad impact on the built environment, advocate for environmental sustainability, and shape future communities that cover the urbanizing communities of Montgomery County inside the beltway.

Montgomery Planning is part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). For over 90 years, M-NCPPC has had a national reputation for excellence in planning, and today serves a culturally diverse population of over one million people on the border of Washington, D.C. in Montgomery County. We provide county-wide planning functions including long range planning, as well as reviews of development applications in diverse built environments of downtown urban districts, suburban communities, and agricultural areas. We have pioneered nationally modeled programs in agricultural preservation, inclusionary housing, and transit-oriented design. To learn more about who we are and what we do, we encourage you to watch this brief video here and visit our website at www.montgomeryplanning.org.

Examples of Important Duties
Planner II: The Planner II position requires strong project management skills, effective oral and written communication expertise; ability to work with interagency partners on implementation focused planning initiatives; community engagement experience; capacity to read and interpret land use plans, and knowledge of natural resource inventory plans, forest conservation plans, and landscape plans. Candidates must have strong technical writing and plant identification skills. An understanding of development proposals in three dimensions and the ability to provide recommendations related to the design of streets, open spaces, urban design, environmental best practices, and forest conservation areas through comments, sketches, and precedents is required.

  • Manage projects and produce deliverables for meeting the goals, schedules, and deadlines for implementation-focused planning initiatives and studies
  • Analyze development applications (such as sketch plans, preliminary plans and site plans), and rezoning applications
  • Leads, advocates, and negotiates for Design Excellence in all projects.
  • Perform comprehensive review of regulatory applications, with a focus on architectural and urban design critiques for the building and site design, including applicable Design Guidelines, as well as compliance with the Zoning Code, Master or Sector Plans, and other applicable guidelines
  • Prepare environmental guidelines for comprehensive land use and corridor plans, particularly those that relate to increasing housing diversity, multimodal transportation and Vision Zero
  • Participate in or lead community meetings
  • Engage stakeholders in placemaking activities that demonstrate the potential of master planning recommendations and enhance walkability and social interaction
  • Conduct special studies of complex planning problems
  • Interpret applicable Environmental Guidelines, and ensure compliance with the Zoning Code, Forest Conservation Law and Sector Plans. Develop design alternatives to resolve identified issues.
  • Assist in the creation of visually compelling presentations for the public and the Planning Board.
  • Provide written content and graphically illustrate issues for staff reports.

Planner III: The Planner III will perform similar duties as the Planner II, but more independently and under more general direction. In addition to the duties listed above, the Planner III performs the following major duties and responsibilities:

  • Serves as project team leader and coordinator for designated projects and provides technical contributions to plans as subject matter expert.
  • Coordinate the review of complex development applications and negotiate with applicants for related improvements.
  • Speak on behalf of staff recommendations to community groups, the Planning Board and County Council in a public hearing setting.

This position requires the ability to work well with team members with a diverse set of backgrounds and expertise. Candidates should be capable of effectively communicating with county residents, developers, planners, architects, engineers, attorneys, and public officials. Fieldwork and occasional evening meetings are required.

The successful Planner II/III should have the ability to:

  • Handle complex and often controversial situations.
  • Balance multiple deadlines and projects.
  • Effectively identify problems and be resourceful and creative in developing solutions, requesting the assistance or input of others as appropriate.
  • Demonstrate design ideas through visual and written materials.

Minimum Qualifications
Planner II

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Geography, Architecture, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field.
  • Two (2) years of progressively responsible professional level planning experience or specific area of assignment such as transportation planning, environmental planning or urban planning.
  • An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total six (6) years.
  • Valid driver's license (depending on area of assignment) in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver’s license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee’s ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.

Planner III

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Geography, Architecture, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field.
  • Four (4) years of progressively responsible professional level planning experience related to specific area of assignment such as transportation planning, environmental planning or urban planning.
  • An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total eight (8) years.
  • Valid driver’s license (depending on area of assignment) in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver’s license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee’s ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.

How to Apply
Apply online at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mncppc/jobs/3929233/planner-ii-iii-14160-grade-24-28