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Senior Planner/ Planner Coordinator (12769, Grade 22/26)

DESCRIPTION:

The Montgomery County Planning Department seeks an experienced and motivated urban planner, architect, landscape architect, or urban designer, preferably with private-sector experience, to serve as a working leader/coordinator for site plan review in the Area 3 planning division. This is an opportunity to help shape Montgomery County for the 21st century by having a broad impact on the built environment while advocating for design excellence.
Tasks include reviewing, analyzing, and making recommendations on applications for development; ensuring site designs that integrate buildings, public spaces and circulation systems; recreation facilities; and landscape and lighting.

Successful candidates must apply knowledge of urban, architectural, and landscape design, planning standards, codes, and plans to develop alternatives to resolve planning and design problems. Work entails the interpretation of development plans, codes and regulations; preparation of standard or 3D graphics; and public presentations. Requires effective communication, presentation, and negotiation skills. Experience with GIS, AutoCAD, and SketchUp software is preferred. Position may be filled at either the Senior Planner or Planner Coordinator level depending upon qualifications.  
 

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT DUTIES:


Senior Planner Job Functions:
  • Consider master planning and development review functions in growing development areas.
  • Provide timely and accurate reviews of preliminary plans, site plans, project plans and sketch plans.
  • Follows established goals, schedules, and deadlines for work effort and insures that objectives are met for completion and occasionally meet with staff to ensure progress.
  • Review subdivision and site plans.
  • Prepare staff reports that clearly state staff recommendations, issues, and findings, and illustrate issues graphically.
  • Under general supervision, coordinate with applicant, citizens, agencies and staff to resolve issues in a manner that produces appropriate, successful solutions.
  • Interpret and apply codes and regulations.
  • Conduct site visits and document important site conditions.
  • Ensure compliance with development regulations and improve development quality.
  • Coordinate development activities with representatives from other agencies.
  • Prepare technical reports.
  • Under general supervision, deliver presentations to the Planning Board, County Council, Hearing Examiner, and community groups.
  • Review and analyze proposed public facilities.


Planner Coordinator Job Functions:
  • Coordinate complex and controversial master planning and development review functions in high profile development areas.
  • Provide timely and accurate reviews of complex preliminary plans, site plans, project plans and sketch plans.
  • Develops goals, schedules, and deadlines for work effort and insures that objectives are met for completion and occasionally meet with staff to ensure progress.
  • Prepare staff reports that clearly state staff recommendations, issues, and findings, and illustrate issues graphically.
  • Incorporates knowledge of planning standards, codes, and plans to develop alternatives to resolve planning problems identified.
  • Present and defend staff recommendations to the Planning Board in a Public Hearing setting.
  • Schedule and coordinate pre-submission meetings with potential developers to provide general guidance and feedback on development proposals.
  • Effectively coordinate applicant, citizens, agency and staff meetings to resolve issues in a manner that produces appropriate, successful solutions.
  • Negotiate with developers to achieve the highest quality of development.
  • Offer suggestions, including design alternatives, to address issues raised and help move projects forward.
  • Conducts site inspections and incorporates field observations into recommendations.
  • Respond to public inquiries for information or assistance on future development plans and the development process.
  • Coordinate with county and state agencies.
  • Conduct site visits and document important site conditions.
  • Reviews and check work of staff members to ensure accuracy.
  • Represent the Planning Department and M-NCPPC at community meetings, public forums, and special events as needed.
  • Review and analyze proposed public facilities.



Minimum Qualifications: On or before the date of filing the candidate must possess:

Senior Planner level include a Master's degree in Landscape Architecture, Planning, Architecture, Urban Design, or related field of study with one (1) year directly relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

In order to fill this position as a Planner Coordinator your must possess:
 
 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Master's degree in planning, architecture, parks, engineering, environmental science, or equivalent disciplines related to job function and three years of progressively responsible professional level planning experience at the journey level; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

 
 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

Essential Skills:
The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:
  • Ability to handle complex and often controversial situations.
  • Ability to handle multiple deadlines and projects.
  • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to applicant teams, citizens, other agencies.
  • Ability to effectively identify problems and to be resourceful and creative in developing solutions, requesting the assistance or input of others as appropriate.
 
The Montgomery County Planning Department is located in downtown Silver Spring. It is conveniently located near the Silver Spring subway (Metro) and train (MARC) stations. The Department is an element of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC), an award winning, bi-county organization, and offers excellent benefits and competitive salaries. Transit subsidies are available. Work is performed in a typical office environment. See http://www.mncppc.org/commission_home.html
 
Physical Requirements:
As required by the duties and responsibilities of the job.