This posting will be used to fill a full-time, permanent, Planner II position within the Anne Arundel County Office of Planning & Development.
The Office of Planning and Zoning (OPZ) is responsible for planning the physical growth and development of Anne Arundel County, Maryland (population 588,000). In order to fulfill that responsibility, OPZ’s portfolio has four divisions: Administration, Development, Planning, and Zoning.
The Planner II position is in the Zoning Administration section, Zoning Division, which oversees regulation and interpretation of the Anne Arundel County Zoning Ordinance and manages intake and processing of all zoning applications.
This position is supervised by the team’s Planning Administrator and involves complex professional work in the field of planning.
NATURE AND VARIETY OF WORK
An employee in this class is fully proficient in performing a wide variety of planning functions that require application and interpretation of complex building and zoning Codes both residential and commercial. Employees must exercise considerable judgment in carrying out assignments that are broad and varied in scope and nature.
Many planning activities involve projects of a long-term nature such as new subdivisions, commercial sites, shopping centers, small area development plans, and transportation issues which are 5 to 10 years or more from conception to implementation.
Assignments include studies, collection of data, and analysis to be used for written, graphic, and oral presentations in both small and large forums of a diversity of individuals who may have divergent views. These studies result in current and future growth and development of County property, land use, and highways. Development within the County includes both residential and commercial aspects.
Work involves responsibility for planning, scheduling, and conducting major planning projects or zoning processes. The position will be responsible for the daily activities of the Zoning Administration section including customer service, evaluation of complex zoning applications including variances, special exceptions, and rezoning, as well as drafting and presenting recommendations before the Administrative Hearing Office and Board of Appeals.
The position may also assist in developing recommendations for revisions to the Zoning Ordinance and other land use laws as needed.
The position also handles other special projects as requested by the Planning Administrator.
Work programs and objectives are set forth by a lead person or supervisor, but the employee exercises considerable initiative and judgment in carrying out assigned projects.
Work is reviewed periodically by the supervisor.
Planner II represents the journey level which progresses to moderately complex assignments and being performed with greater independence, less supervision and direction, and requiring guidance from Lead or Senior Planners as necessary.
(Note: The duties and responsibilities enumerated in this class specification are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications and salary level for all positions in this class. They are not intended to include all of the essential functions of all positions in the class.)
Conducts independent investigations, performs research, planning, and technical analysis on special projects relative to land use and zoning studies. This will include research and analysis in support of proposed code amendments related to a wide range of topics.
Oversees and coordinates the processing, review, and development of recommended departmental position on zoning reclassifications, special exceptions, variances, nonconforming uses, critical area reclassifications, and zoning enforcement; drafts administrative decisions; reviews and analyzes applications for special permits and licenses.
May attend a variety of public and community meetings to provide information on planning matters and regulations to the public.
The position will provide support to other Department divisions and other County agencies with interpretation and implementation of zoning regulations and other work items.
Assists Administrator with legislation and other special projects as assigned.
Review staff reports for accuracy and consistency with code.
Customer service duties include responding to general inquiries relative to content and interpretation of zoning regulations, drafting zoning verification letters, scheduling and attending pre-filing meetings.
May provide peer review of other staff work products such as staff reports on various types of zoning applications, components of master plans, or other planning studies, and may provide mentoring to other staff in review of zoning and development issues.
Performs research, planning, and technical analysis for complex planning projects; conducts long-range planning studies in such areas as water quality, sign control, community facilities, coastal zone management, environmental protection, and land preservation; collects, tabulates, analyzes, and represents County agencies in attempts to assure consistency in regulations and policies among contiguous jurisdictions; analyzes existing laws and legal provisions offered as models or reflective of the experience of other jurisdictions; drafts revisions of laws and regulations.
Assists in the formulation of planning or zoning policy; represents superiors at various meetings; provides information on planning matters and regulations to the public.
Gathers, analyzes, and interprets data relating to local social, economic, population, housing, industrial development, zoning, and land uses.
Prepares written reports on various planning matters.
Reviews and analyzes legislative provisions; prepares revised drafts of laws or regulations.
Conducts or assists in conducting special studies; develops and coordinates development plans, e.g., open space, parks and recreation facilities, shopping centers, office complexes, etc.
Assists in the preparation of graphic materials concerned with planning problems and elements of the comprehensive County plan.
Assembles information and assists governmental agencies and individual citizens on matters relating to property use regulations and other functions of planning.
Conducts or assists in the conduct of special land use studies.
Reviews residential, commercial, and industrial subdivision plans for consistency with master plans.
Reviews and develops recommended departmental positions on zoning reclassifications, exceptions, variances, and zoning enforcement and drafts administrative decisions.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, and objectives of planning and land use control.
Considerable knowledge of research methods employed in the collection, evaluation, and presentation of planning data.
Considerable knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies as they apply to planning, zoning, and land use controls.
Considerable knowledge of the literature of the field and of technical resources relevant to the work.
Considerable skill in project management, planning, organizing, and conducting planning and related studies.
Skill in presenting and explaining findings and recommendations with a high degree of effectiveness, orally and in writing before the Administrative Hearing Officer, Board of Appeals, County Council and Courts.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship
A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with course work in planning or a closely related field; two (2) or more years of experience in professional planning and zoning work or a related field; and a valid non-commercial Class C motor vehicle operator's license.
Preference will be given to applicants with the following:
Four (4) or more years of experience/knowledge in reading, interpreting, and applying zoning, development, and land use regulations, and in researching and analyzing code revisions.
Two (2) or more years of experience in project management including strong organizational skills.
Four (4) or more years of customer service experience in a fast-paced environment to include telephone, virtual meetings, and face to face contact with the public, government departments, outside (private) agencies, appointed and elected officials, consultants/engineers, and co- workers.
Experience in conducting public outreach with community groups, developers, and other stakeholders related to planning and zoning programs, including web-based public engagement methods.
A Master’s degree in urban and regional planning from an accredited university, and AICP certification.
Knowledge and experience in land use law.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Proficiency in MS Office, Google Suite, ArcGIS, Accela, and Adobe Creative Suite.