About the Department
Are you experienced in urban planning, project management, and regulatory development review? If so, the Montgomery County Planning Department is where you want to be! We are currently seeking a motivated Planner III for our West County Planning Division. 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. The West County Planning Division covers the communities west of Rock Creek Park and I-270, from Washington, DC, up through Potomac. West County Planning oversees the development and master planning for neighborhoods like Bethesda, Friendship Heights, Potomac, Chevy Chase, North Bethesda, and the Great Seneca Science Corridor.
As the Planner III, you will lead the review and analysis of regulatory review applications in West County. You will serve as the project manager for complex development projects, coordinate with discipline-specific review staff, and county and state reviewing agencies. Must be able to communicate directly with the public on planning and land use issues, knowledge and understanding of site design and the ability to read and interpret land use plans. Must have strong presentation and writing skills, and an understanding of zoning and subdivision regulations. You will also draft reports and make presentations to the Planning Board, and the Hearing Examiner. In addition to the duties listed above, the Planner III performs the following major duties and responsibilities:
Position Duties
Coordinate complex and critical development review functions in high-profile development areas.
Provide timely, considered, and accurate reviews of complex concept plans, sketch plans, preliminary plans, site plans, and other regulatory applications.
Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, such as the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations, adopted policies, best practices, guidelines and regulations.
Develop goals, schedules for work effort and ensure that objectives are met for completion and occasionally meet with staff to ensure progress.
Writes and develops planning reports, correspondence, plans and other materials.
Explains technical planning issues and concepts to support research conclusions and recommendations.
Ensures the development and design of presentations, charts, graphs, maps, data, and other exhibits as appropriate.
Prepare staff reports that clearly state staff recommendations, issues, and findings, and illustrate issues graphically.
Incorporate knowledge of planning standards, codes, and master and sector plans to develop alternatives to resolve identified issues.
Present and defend staff recommendations to the Planning Board in a Public Hearing setting.
Coordinate meetings and workshops with potential applicants to provide general guidance and design feedback on development proposals.
Coordinate inter-divisional project teams.
Train and mentor staff.
The Planner III 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 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.
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.
- 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.
Other Qualifications
Classification Specification: Planner III
About Us
Montgomery Planning is part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). For nearly 100 years, M-NCPPC has had a national reputation for excellence in planning and today serves a culturally diverse population of over one million people in Montgomery County. We provide county-wide planning functions including long range planning, as well as reviews of development applications covering a range of natural and built environments from 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.
The M-NCPPC offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, generous leave plans, an employee pension plan, and a deferred compensation plan. Positions may qualify for public service student loan forgiveness. Montgomery Planning is conveniently located minutes from Washington, DC in downtown Wheaton, MD next to the Wheaton Metro Station, several bus lines, and bikeshare. A commuter stipend is available. Telework opportunities (up to two days a week) and tuition assistance are also available. We work in one of the first LEED Platinum-certified government-owned office buildings in Maryland.
The salary range listed above represents the earning potential for this position. Salary is commensurate with experience. This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus (external candidates only).
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.
Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act
If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of application at 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1). M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.