Category: 
Job


Location: Wheaton, MD

Environmental Planner I

Salary: $54,452.00 - $96,439.00 Annually

Closing: 8/20/2024

Description
The Montgomery County Planning Department is seeking an Environmental Planner I to conduct environmental reviews of development applications, with the potential to assist with long-range planning and policy duties within our Upcounty Planning Division. This is an opportunity to help shape the built environment while protecting valuable natural resources through the application of the Environmental Guidelines and Forest Conservation Law and promoting environmental sustainability and resilience in Montgomery County. Upcounty Planning is responsible for nearly two-thirds of the land area in Montgomery County, including Fairland and Briggs Chaney, Burtonsville, Ashton-Sandy Spring, Olney, Damascus, Clarksburg, Germantown, Potomac, Darnestown, and the Agricultural Reserve.

Montgomery Planning is part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). For over 95 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.

Examples of Important Duties

  • Develop an understanding of policies, procedures, regulations, and standards that affect plan reviews, Environmental Guidelines for Development in Montgomery County, Chapter 22A Forest Conservation Regulations, the Trees Technical Manual, Special Protection Area Water Quality Plan requirements, and the Patuxent River Primary Management Area forest planting requirements and impervious surface limits.
  • Review and provide comments and recommendations on Natural Resource Inventories/Forest Stand Delineations (NRI/FSD), Special Protection Area Water Quality Plans, Forest Conservation Plans, and Forest Conservation Exemptions within the regulatory timeframes established by law.
  • Perform fieldwork throughout the year with expertise to identify trees and other vegetation, streams, and wetlands.
  • Perform environmental review of preliminary plans, site plans, parks projects, zoning, and mandatory referral applications as assigned for conformance with Forest Conservation Law and Environmental Guidelines.
  • Coordinate with appropriate local, state, and/or federal agencies on environmental issues.
  • Provide direction and facilitate resolution wherever possible. -Provide environmental content (both in written and graphic formats) for staff reports and presentations for Planning Board Hearings.

The Environmental Planner I will perform the duties above and have entry-level experience, understanding, and/or knowledge of: the regulatory process; reviewing environmental plans and studies; identifying trees, vegetation, streams, and wetlands in the field and on plans; requesting the assistance and input of others as appropriate; and effectively identifying problems while developing solutions with supervision and feedback to complete tasks. This position requires the capability to work well with a team with a diverse set of backgrounds and areas of expertise such as county residents, developers, planners, architects, engineers, arborists, surveyors, attorneys, and public officials. Fieldwork and occasional evening meetings are required.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Geography, Architecture, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field.
  • An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total four (4) 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/4581572/environmental-planner-i-15220-grade-20