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 programs: Administration, Development, Planning, and Zoning.
This posting will be used to fill a full time Senior Planner position on the Regional Team in the Development Division of the Anne Arundel County Office of Planning and Zoning. The Development Division is responsible for the review of development and subdivision proposals for compliance with County and State regulations.
The Regional Team is responsible for the project management and plan review of commercial, industrial, residential, and mixed use subdivision and/or development applications when located in commercial and industrial zones, special overlay districts, and town centers. Plan review responsibilities ensure compliance with the Adequacy of Public Facilities, Subdivision, Site Development, Zoning, Town Center, and Landscape ordinances, along with Federal, State and local environmental regulations, which include but are not limited to, Forest Conservation, Non-tidal Wetland, Stream, Floodplain, and Steep Slopes.
A Senior Planner on the Regional Team is responsible for complex professional work in the field of Planning which includes application management and review for compliance with current laws, regulations and ordinances. An acceptable candidate for this position will be expected to independently complete routine planning assignments, including application review and comment via written memos, letters and/or reports. This candidate will also be expected to assist the Planning Administrator with the training and mentoring team staff, drafting legislation and creating and implementing office policies and procedures. This work involves frequent contact with the general public, property owners, contractors, developers, engineers, attorneys, environmental consultants and other State and County agency representatives. The ideal candidate must have strong written and oral communication skills, and as necessary, the ability to present before boards, community groups and elected officials
NATURE AND VARIETY OF WORK
This position involves advanced professional and technical work in the fields of development review and urban planning that require a candidate to be skilled in the processes associated with land development and project management. An employee in this class is fully proficient in performing a wide variety of planning functions which require application and interpretation of complex development and zoning ordinance both residential and commercial. Employees must exercise considerable judgment in carrying out assignments which may be broad and varied in scope and in nature. Work may involve managing and reviewing the work of other professional and technical staff members engaged in special projects that necessitate the expertise of several disciplines and/or specialty program aspects.
- Examples of Duties and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
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(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 research, planning and technical analyses for complex planning projects related to land use, transportation, environmental resources or urban design. Responsible for project management and planning review of large-scale land use, site-plan site development and subdivision applications. These applications will include multi-agency and jurisdictional review.
Oversees and coordinates the processing, review and development of recommended departmental positions on complex projects involving land use, transportation, environmental resources or urban design.
Recommends and initiates professional and technical studies in support of ongoing planning programs and development review activities.
Coordinates review and formulation of multi-jurisdictional regulations affecting broad development plans.
May supervise the work of professional and technical subordinates engaged in planning, review, and other phases of projects/programs.
Assists in the formulation of planning or zoning policy; represents superiors at various meetings; provides information on planning matters and regulations to the public.
Performs related work as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Thorough knowledge of current principles and practices of urban and community planning.
Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and objectives of planning and land use control.
Thorough knowledge of research methods employed in the collection, evaluation, and presentation of planning data.
Thorough knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies as they apply to planning, zoning and land use controls.
Ability to present research and study briefings, written and oral, in a clear, concise, and understandable manner to citizens, elected officials and other professionals.
Ability to manage professional and technical employees engaged in planning studies, programs and projects.
Ability to establish effective working relationships with subordinates, appointed and elected officials, state and local government representatives, and citizen interest groups.
- Minimum Qualifications
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A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with course work in Planning, Geography, Geology, Public Policy Analysis, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, Land Use Planning, Urban Planning, Master Development Planning, or Environmental Science; six (6) or more years of experience in major professional planning and zoning projects; and a valid non-commercial Class C motor vehicle operator's license.
General Information
Phone: (410) 222-7595
Address:
Heritage Complex
2660 Riva Road, First Floor
Annapolis, Maryland, 21401