Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

Description

Are you experienced in urban planning, architecture and regulatory development review? 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 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.

Examples of Important Duties

Planner II

The Planner II position requires strong project management skills and technical writing 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. The Planner II performs the following major duties and responsibilities:

• Coordinates development review functions of varying degrees of complexity.
• Provides timely and accurate reviews of concept plans, preliminary plans, site plans, sketch plans, and conditional uses of varying complexity.
• Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, such as the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations, adopted policies, best practices, guidelines and regulations.
• Develops goals, schedules, and deadlines for work effort and assures that objectives are met for completion.
• 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.
• Presents and defends staff recommendations to the Planning Board in a Public Hearing setting.
• Makes presentations to a variety of individuals and groups (e.g., Planning Board, community, business developers) for purpose of communicating planning issues, procedures, and recommendations.
• Coordinates pre-submission meetings to provide general guidance and feedback on development proposals.
• Effectively coordinates applicant, citizens, agency and staff meetings to resolve issues in a manner that produces appropriate, successful solutions.

Planner III

The Planner III will perform similar duties as the Planner II, but more independently and under more general direction. As the Planner III, you will lead the review and analysis of regulatory review applications in West County. You will also serve as the project manager for complex development projects, coordinate with discipline-specific review staff, and county and state reviewing agencies. An understanding of development proposals in three dimensions and the ability to provide recommendations related to the design of buildings, public spaces, streets and parking facilities through comments, sketches, and precedents is preferred. In addition to the duties listed above, the Planner III performs the following major duties and responsibilities:

• Performs 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 Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, Master or Sector Plans, and other applicable guidelines.
• Coordinates complex and critical development review functions in high-profile development areas.
• Provides timely, considered, and accurate reviews of complex concept plans, sketch plans, preliminary plans, site plans, and other regulatory applications.
• Develops goals, schedules for work effort and ensures that objectives are met for completion and occasionally meet with staff to ensure progress.
• Prepares staff reports that clearly state staff recommendations, issues, and findings, and illustrate issues graphically.
• Incorporates knowledge of planning standards, codes, and master and sector plans to develop alternatives to resolve identified issues.
• Presents and defends staff recommendations to the Planning Board in a Public Hearing setting.
• Coordinates meetings and workshops with potential applicants to provide general guidance and design feedback on development proposals.
• Coordinates inter-divisional project teams.
• Trains and mentors staff.
• Planner II (Grade 24) Salary Range ($64,689 - $114,566)
• Planner III (Grade 28) Salary Range ($74,442 - $134,271)

The Planner II/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 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.

Minimum Qualifications

Planner II

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Geography, Architecture, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field.
2. Two (2) years of progressively responsible professional level planning experience or specific area of assignment such as transportation planning, environmental planning or urban planning.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total six (6) years.
4. 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

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Geography, Architecture, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field.
2. 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.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total eight (8) years.
4. 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.

Supplemental Information

Classification Specification Planner II/III

Applicants called for an interview should provide a portfolio of their most complex or high-profile regulatory and/or architecture, landscape architecture, or urban design work, a writing sample, and be ready to discuss experience with various regulatory processes.

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.

May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.

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.

THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION

2025 BENEFIT SUMMARY FOR MERIT SYSTEM EMPLOYEES

The following benefit summary is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor should be construed as an employment agreement with the M-NCPPC, implied or actual. It is not all-inclusive and is subject to change. Benefits listed are extended to all Merit System employees of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). All plans are optional except the Defined Benefit and Long-Term Disability plans.

Eligibility

You have 45 days from your hire date to elect your benefits. Your coverage begins on the first of the month following receipt of your enrollment forms and required documentation.

Retirement Programs

• Defined Benefit Plan (Mandatory Participation) – Plan E excludes FOP members.

Plan

Employee Contribution

Plan C

9.5%* of base salary (FOP members only)

Plan E

4% of base salary up to maximum Social Security Wage Base (SSWB) and 8% in excess of SSWB.

• Deferred Compensation ICMA-RC 457 plan (Optional)
• Traditional and Roth IRAs (Optional)

Health Insurance Plans (FOP Members Pay 23% for Medical, Prescription and Dental and same as all other employees for Vision.) All other employees pay percentage below.

• Medical
  • Kaiser Permanente Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) with Prescription Plan – (15%)
  • UnitedHealthcare Select Exclusive Provider Organization Health Plan (EPO) – (20%)
  • UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus Point of Service (POS) – (20%)
• Prescription – CVS Caremark – (15%)
• Dental – Delta Dental PPO and DeltaCare USA HMO – (20%)
• Vision – EyeMed – (80% of Low Option plan paid by Commission. Any balance paid by employee.)
  • Low, moderate, and high options are available. Frequency of covered services differs.

Flexible Spending Accounts (Employee Pays 100%)

• Medical Account – Maximum annual contribution: $3,200
• Dependent Care Account – Maximum annual contribution: $5,000

Long-Term Disability Insurance (Mandatory Participation)

• Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80% (FOP Members Pay 100%)
• Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary, maximum of $6,000/month

Supplemental Long-Term Disability Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)

• Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary that exceeds $108,000; capped at $216,000

Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80%)

• Two (2) times base salary; maximum benefit is $200,000 for each
• Automatic coverage with opt-out provision

Supplemental and Spouse/Dependent Life Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)

• Supplemental – 1,2,3,4, or 5 times base salary; maximum benefit is $750,000
• Spouse/Dependent Combination - $10,000/$5,000, $20,000/$10,000, or $30,000/$15,000

Sick Leave Bank (Contribution and Benefit hours prorated for part-time employees)

• Employees have 60 days from date of hire to enroll.
• Employee contributes 8 leave hours each year
• Annually covers up to 688 hours for own serious medical condition, and 480 hours for parental responsibilities (birthadoption or foster care), and 80-160 hours for serious medical condition of an immediate family member

Leave Programs

• Annual: 15 days per year
• Personal: 3 days per year (12-month waiting period)
• Sick: 15 days per year
• Holidays: 11 days per year

Other Benefits

• Credit Union
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Legal Services Plan
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Work-Life Program

For a more detailed description of benefits, please contact the Commission’s Health and Benefits Office at benefits@mncppc.org or 301-454-1694.

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