The Long Range Planning Section is responsible for preparing, updating or amending, and implementing planning documents and reports. These include the General Development Plan, Town Center Plans, Region Plans, Water and Sewer Master Plan, and other functional plans as needed or mandated. The LRP Section is also responsible for administering the comprehensive rezoning process; conducting data and GIS analysis on a variety of planning topics; preparing staff comments on development applications; reviewing amendments and preparing legislation for Water and Sewer Plan amendments; developing urban design concepts and plans; preparing and managing grant applications; coordinating briefings and public hearings with the Planning Advisory Board; working with advisory committees; and providing public outreach and customer service.
This position will assist in the preparation and implementation of Region Plans, update the adequate public facilities regulations and accompanying implementation manuals, work on planning projects initiated by State and other local government jurisdictions and perform a variety of planning functions related to long-range, comprehensive and community planning.
Responsibilities may include collection of data, research and technical analysis; application and interpretation of Codes; preparation of written reports and other planning documents; oral and graphic presentations to appointed and elected officials, other professional staff and citizen groups; facilitating public meetings; and attending committee meetings. This is responsible and moderately complex professional work in the field of planning which includes current building and zoning, long range planning and development, new subdivisions, proposed land use, land preservation, economic conditions, transportation, critical areas (wetlands, flood plain, coastal zone management, etc.), and zoning (reclassifications, exceptions, variances, waivers, etc.) laws, regulations and ordinances as they affect growth and development within the County (building, development and infrastructure).
NATURE AND VARIETY OF WORK
An employee in this class is fully proficient in performing a wide variety of planning functions which require application and interpretation of complex building and zoning Codes both residential and commercial. Employees must exercise considerable judgment in carrying out assignments which are broad and varied in scope and in 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.
Planner II represents the journey level which progresses to assignments which are moderately complex and being performed with greater independence, less supervision and direction, and requiring guidance from Lead or Senior Planners as necessary.
Examples of Duties and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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.)
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 provides assistance to governmental agencies and individual citizens on matters relating to property use regulations and other functions of planning. Conducts or participates in special studies of land use, land economics, and other factors. 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 experience of other jurisdictions; drafts revisions of laws and regulations. Reviews and processes residential, commercial and industrial subdivision plans for compliance with regulations and policies; reviews, processes, and approves requests for waivers of subdivision regulations; modifies developers' plans or suggests revised plan elements to assist developers in project design; holds pre-application conferences and provides guidelines. Oversees and coordinates the processing, review, and development of recommended departmental position on zoning reclassifications, exceptions, variances, and zoning enforcement; drafts administrative decisions; reviews and analyzes applications for special permits and licenses. Assists in the formulation of planning or zoning policy; represents superiors at various meetings; provides information on planning matters and regulations to the public. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of planning, zoning, subdivision, and land use. Considerable knowledge of principles and techniques of socio-economic research. Considerable knowledge of research methods used in the collection, evaluation, and presentation of planning data. Considerable knowledge of the literature of the field and of technical resources relevant to planning and related fields. Considerable skill in planning, organizing, and conducting planning and related studies. Considerable skill in preparing and presenting findings and recommendations effectively, both oral and written. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, representatives of other agencies and the public.
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with course work in Planning, Geography, Geospatial Analysis, Cartography, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Public Policy, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Science, or Natural Resources or a closely related field; two (2) or more years' experience in professional planning and zoning work or a related field; and a valid non-commercial Class C motor vehicle operator's license.
NOTE: A Master's degree from an accredited college or university with a degree in Planning, Geography, Geospatial Analysis, Cartography, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Public Policy, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Science, or Natural Resources, or a closely related field may be substituted for two years of professional experience.
Supplemental Qualifications Preference will be given to applicants with the following:
1.) A minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible planning experience including one (1) or more years of experience in comprehensive planning or community planning.
2.) A minimum of one (1) years of experience facilitating work groups and public meetings.
3.) Graduate degree in planning. 4.) AICP Certification. 5.) Proficiency in ArcView GIS and Adobe InDesign NOTE: If you applied under the previous announcement #03600 - Planner II - Long Range Planning, you will not need to re-apply.
Candidates are required to apply through the Anne Arundel County website.