PLANNER LEAD/ADVANCED

The Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) works with state and local government agencies to ensure comprehensive and integrated planning for the best use of Maryland's land and other resources. To local governments, the Department provides technical expertise, such as surveys, land use studies, and revitalization plans and technical assistance. Also, the Department compiles state data for use in planning, including population, employment and school enrollment projections. Implementing state planning and smart growth policies is also the responsibility of the Department of Planning.

The main purposes of this job, Regional Planner, are to implement MDP’s priorities and to provide technical assistance to Western Maryland (Allegany, Garrett, and Washington Counties), and to all municipalities lying therein. Technical assistance includes helping local governments to meet requirements and explaining general provisions of State planning laws and answering specific technical assistance requests. The regional planner coordinates, as well as participates in providing, local governments with technical assistance to promote economic and community development, resource protection, economic development, and state and local planning objectives. This position leads/coordinates the Western Maryland Office’s review of and commenting on planning and growth-related plans and ordinances including local comprehensive plans, master water and sewer plans and amendments, annexations, Priority Funding Area application, and other local planning efforts. This coordination requires technical analysis of planning documents and ordinances, project management, and the organization and writing of new planning, training, and educational content. This position also initiates communication and coordinated planning efforts with local and state staff and authorities and to ensure local plans and ordinances are consistent with state planning goals and laws.  

This position also helps coordinate and develop MDP’s initiatives and programs related to education and training of state and local staff and officials. The education and training duties require coordinating with other department staff, state agency staff, and other providers of planning education and training in the Western Maryland Region and state. 

In addition, this position requires the provision of marginal assistance to the ARC Program Manager and the ARC Specialist in the implementation of regional office priorities to support the ARC Program. 

This position will analyze, review, and constructively comment on long-range and comprehensive planning, zoning, annexations, Sustainable Communities designations, subdivision/development ordinances, water and sewer and other local planning efforts in promoting best planning practices, mixed use development, redevelopment, natural resource protection, and consistency across local comprehensive plans and other planning documents. Make recommendations to both jurisdictions and other state agencies to enhance consistency with State law and policy. Assist governments to meet requirements of annexation law, the comprehensive plan, and other local planning functions.

The position provides technical assistant to jurisdictions as requested to help meet state planning requirements, promote best planning and zoning practices, gain desired local designations, access grant funding, enhance economic and community development, and ensure effective local and regional collaboration, among other needs. This position is expected to provide leadership in leveraging department resources from various divisions (as well as resources from other state agencies), facilitating coordination between local and state stakeholders, analyzing both challenges and assets, developing creative solutions, and forming and implementing effective and measurable workplans. Collaborating with and supplementing the work of the Appalachian Regional Commission to support the planning and economic development needs of Western Maryland’s jurisdictions.

In addition, this position promotes sound local planning practices by coordinating and conducting training seminars, workshops and conferences both regionally and statewide. Assist direct supervisor and the Manager of Local Assistance and Training in carrying out an expanded mission for the Department.  This will include but is not limited to identifying partnering organizations, surveying and otherwise determining education and training needs in the state, updating existing Department offerings such as the Planning Commissioner Training Course and developing new materials and programs.

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university that includes 30 credit hours in Planning, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Architecture, Public Administration, Engineering, Geography, Landscape Architecture, Economics, Public Finance, Political Science, Sociology, Regional Science, Information Technology or Urban Affairs.

Experience: Three years of experience in research and planning projects related to the development and use of land, water, transportation, community or natural resources by assisting in obtaining, analyzing and conducting research on demographic, socio-economic, political, cultural, geographic or land-use trends.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the specified educational fields for one year of the required experience.*

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of an additional Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the specified educational fields for one additional year of the required experience.*

3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in one of the specified educational fields for two years of the required experience.*

*Two years is the maximum number of years that may be substituted by education for the required experience.

4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Logistics, Urban Planning, Architect, Geospatial Intelligence Analyst or Cryptologic classifications; or Logistics, Urban Planning or Architect specialty codes in the Architect field of work, on a year-for-year basis, for the required experience and education.

•Experience with State of Maryland Planning initiatives and programs and how they can be applied to develop a stronger regional economy and local capacity.

•Experience in local government and/or providing planning and related technical assistance to government and non-government organizations. Ideally, this experience should include a variety of issues, including long range and current planning, zoning and subdivision review, and community engagement.

•Experience managing and executing complex planning, economic, and community development projects that involve multiple stakeholders, sometimes competing interests, and the development of new communication channels.

•Experience with Maryland land use statutory requirements 

•Experience developing and making public presentations and representing a department or organization on committees and other representative bodies.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment.

All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date.  We will not consider information submitted after this date.

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training and experience related to the requirements of the position.  It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.  Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service needs to be provided before hire. 

All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date.  We will not consider information submitted after this date. 

The on-line application process is STRONGLY preferred.  If you are not able to apply online, you may submit a paper application and supplemental questionnaire (by the closing date) to:

Department of Budget and Management

Recruitment and Examination Division

301 W. Preston St., Suite 608

Baltimore, MD  21201

Attn:  For inquiries regarding this recruitment, please call 410 767-7950.

Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the on-line or paper application.  As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.

Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by calling 410-767-3623.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply. 

Bilingual applicants are also encouraged to apply.

TTY  Users: call via Maryland Relay