Development Review Assistant Division Chief (15306, Grade 34)

The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission; Largo (MD); On-site; USD 98,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework opportunities

Flexible schedules

Onsite fitness center

Free parking

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission in Largo, MD seeks an experienced Planner to serve as Assistant Division Chief for the Development Review Division. You will oversee development proposals, processes, and teams, assist in staff development, and lead projects in urban design, zoning, and subdivision with cross‑agency coordination.

Ideal candidates bring passion for equity, strong leadership and communication, and a track record in planning, budgeting, and professional

Qualifications

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with diverse stakeholders
• Excellent project management skills to prioritize tasks and manage timelines
• Experience leading a team of professionals including teambuilding and coaching
• Experience in reviewing and writing legislation and development plans
• Strong budgeting, contract management, procurement, and resource allocation skills

Responsibilities

• Plans and manages assigned Development Review Division operations and programs.
• Provides technical and policy direction to staff on planning methodologies and projects.
• Ensures Planning Board agenda items are completed on time.
• Guides land use and zoning matters related to development review and master plan conformance.
• Oversees inter-section projects and develops standard operating procedures.
• Assists in annual division budgeting and manages expenditures.
• Supervises ~27 staff, conducts performance reviews, and mentors staff.
• Represents department in meetings with officials and community groups.

Skills

Communication skills

Project management

Leadership

Budgeting

Contract management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Planning

6 years planning experience with 2 in leadership

Job description

Do you have passion to ensure equitable, inclusive, and innovative oversight of development processes and projects that support diverse communities?

Do you have experience leading and developing a team of planners?

Do you have a passion for building partnerships with stakeholders and the community?

Are you an effective and astute leader?

If you answered yes, we are looking for you!

Our innovative and dedicated team of planners are in search of an experienced planner to serve as the Assistant Division Chief to oversee development proposals, processes, special projects, and teams in the Development Review Division. The position will also assist the Development Review Division Chief in the oversight of staff development. This upper management position will oversee various projects covering work programs in the subjects of urban design, zoning, and subdivision with coordination in the areas of environmental, transportation, historic, public facilities, parks and community planning. The Development Review Division provides expertise in the review and implementation of the County Subdivision and Zoning regulations, makes recommendations to implement master plan goals and policies, and collaborates with various federal, state, and county agencies, and municipalities. The Division also provides recommendations in the evaluation and development of planning policies and initiatives that shape the future growth and development of Prince George’s County.

The Prince George’s County Planning Department provides land use planning for the physical development of Prince George’s County, Maryland, and the Division is responsible for the review of development plans, and providing planning expertise on matters of land use, zoning, urban design and subdivision.

As the second most populous county in Maryland, Prince George’s has a population of approximately 900,000 residents with 15 Metro Rail Stations and is home to the University of Maryland at College Park, National Harbor, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and a world class parks and recreation system. Prince George’s County has 27 municipalities, from rural to urban communities, with a land area of approximately 500 square miles. If you are interested in working for the Prince George’s County Planning Department, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Development Review Assistant Division Chief position.

Qualified applicants for this position will be self-starting and highly motivated and have a passion for successful and meaningful engagement, project management, plan implementation, and equity. Additionally, outstanding organizational, analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills are a must. Proven results in planning, placemaking, partnerships, budgeting, and project management are essential. The Assistant Division Chief is part of the Senior Leadership Team of the Planning Department, under the supervision of the Deputy Planning Director of Operations. Finally, leadership skills and team motivation are a must.

Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Under general supervision:

• Plans and manages assigned Development Review Division operations and programs. Interprets and implements County planning policy established by Planning Director, Planning Board and elected officials. Defines goals and objectives.
• Facilitates the coordination and management of the division’s work programs. Develops internal policies and procedures and sets expectations for all assigned tasks of each section. Provides technical and policy direction to staff on methodologies, issues, approaches, designs and recommendations. Provides guidance to staff on major planning projects.
• Ensures Planning Board agenda items are completed and submitted within the designated time period.
• Provides guidance on land use and zoning matters as it relates to development review, master plan conformance, legislative review, and project management status.
• Oversees projects between sections, including developing and implementing standard operating procedures for internal processes, updates to guidance documents, forms and written products, and training.
• Supports the Division Chief in preparation of the annual budget for the division. Controls expenditures in accord with approved budget.
• Assists in the leadership of a division of approximately 27 staff members. Supervises and coordinates activities of division personnel as assigned. Oversees division recruitment activities. Trains and mentors staff and reinforces professional development for staff. Conducts performance reviews, provides on-going guidance to staff, promotes career development training and professional/technical skills enhancement for individual/team. Manages human resource needs of the division. Resolves staff conflict and investigates employee disputes and grievances.
• Researches and applies extensive knowledge of broad principles, practices, policies, procedures and techniques of planning; including architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, geography, transportation, environment, historic preservation, economic development, and agricultural preservation.
• Reviews and prepares comments on proposed legislation
• Attends a variety of meetings and, as assigned, represents department with citizens, community groups, business groups, appointed and elected officials (e.g. County Council, County Executive), various government agencies (e.g. DPIE, DPWT, SHA, DOE, SCD, MWCOG, WSSC, Metro), and various tasks forces and workgroups.
• Resolves conflict on a variety of complex planning matters; utilizing Commission and Department guidelines, adopted plans, and adopted regulations.
• Advises Senior Management on relevant policy and administrative matters.
• Provides Chief level review of staff reports, referral memorandums and resolutions.
• Receives information, seeks cooperation, presents plans, answers questions, responds to requests and resolves complaints pertaining to division/area operations regarding planning laws, policies and procedures.
• Prepares correspondence, memoranda, presentations, and technical reports as assigned.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING:

The ideal candidate will have:

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and build consensus across various interest groups
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage timelines, and allocate resources effectively
• Experience in managing projects on a variety of planning topics
• Experience in reviewing and writing legislation
• Experience in reviewing development plans
• Proven experience in leading a team of professionals to include teambuilding, mentoring, coaching, and professional development
• Excellent skills in negotiation and conflict resolution
• Demonstrated experience in building partnerships and developing consensus
• Strong understanding of broad planning principles
• Comfort in addressing a wide range of groups from elected leaders to community residents
• Experience in budgeting, contract management, procurement and resource allocation
• A desire to serve the public, collaborate with other agencies and departments
• The ability to cope effectively with change, be flexible, and shift gears comfortably

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Planning (e.g., City, Regional, Urban), Geography, Urban Studies, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Architecture History, Historic Preservation, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field.
2. Six (6) years of a broad range of planning or regulatory related experience that includes two (2) years of leadership, program management or supervisory experience.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total ten (10) years.
4. May require a valid driver’s license (depending on area of assignment) in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver’s license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee’s ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.

Classification Specification Planning Program Manager

Working Conditions

Works in an office. Field work may be required for site evaluation, site selection, event planning, and events. Required to attend and/or facilitate public meetings with members of the community and/or events in the evening or on weekends.

WHY PRINCE GEORGE’S PLANNING?

Amenities:

• Telework opportunities (up to two telework days per week)
• Flexible schedules
• Onsite fitness center
• Complimentary access to M-NCPPC gymnasiums throughout Prince George’s County
• Free parking is available for employees
• Tuition Reimbursement/Assistance Program, subject to annual budget allocations and program funding availability
• Positions may qualify for federal student loan forgiveness assistance

The M-NCPPC offers a competitive salary range of $98,420 - $174,305 annually (salary is commensurate with education and experience) at the Planning Program Manager (Assistant Division Chief) level with excellent benefits including generous leave, extensive health coverage, deferred compensation plan, and employee pension plan.

The Prince George’s County Planning Department is conveniently located in Largo, Maryland near Metro and I-495.

May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.

Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the

Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of application at 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1)

M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.