Environmental Planner IV

Montgomery County Planning Department; Wheaton (MD); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Montgomery County Planning Department is seeking an experienced Environmental Planner IV to shape resilient communities across Montgomery County. The role requires expertise in climate resilience planning, environmental data interpretation, and collaboration with residents, developers, planners, engineers, attorneys, and public officials.

Fieldwork and evening/community engagement events are expected. You will lead high-impact master plans, environmental analyses, and development review work to

Qualifications

• Expert-level climate resilience planning experience.
• Experience working with climate and environmental data.
• Experience planning for communities and working with a variety of stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a department-wide expert on climate resilience, environmental planning, and related natural resource issues.
• Manage the department’s climate initiatives including the Climate Resilience Functional Master Plan and related plans.
• Apply expert knowledge of climate, environmental, and natural resource data to lead plans, studies, analyses, and policy recommendations.
• Integrate environmental goals and climate considerations into planning decisions shaping growth and resiliency.
• Oversee or lead project teams and coordinate staff, agencies, and consultants to advance objectives.
• Represent the Department with external climate groups and inter-agency initiatives.
• Prepare, present, and defend planning reports and policy positions before boards and stakeholders.
• Review and analyze complex projects and proposals through an environmental and climate lens.

Skills

Climate resilience planning

Environmental data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Communications writing

Master planning

Job description

Are you an experienced environmental planner who wants to help shape a more resilient future for Montgomery County? The Montgomery County Planning Department seeks an innovative, dynamic Environmental Planner IV to join the Environment and Climate Division. This is an exciting opportunity to serve as a department-wide expert, lead multifaceted master planning and environmental initiatives, develop and advance climate resilience strategies, and bring environmental and climate data into planning decisions that will influence communities across the County. The ideal candidate brings expert-level climate resilience planning experience, experience working with climate and environmental data, experience planning for communities and working with a variety of stakeholders, and excellent communication and writing skills.

This position is ideal for someone who thrives in collaborative, interdisciplinary work and can engage effectively with county residents, developers, planners, architects, engineers, attorneys, and public officials. Fieldwork and occasional evening or weekend meetings and community engagement events are required.

As part of the Environment and Climate Division, you will help shape the built environment while protecting natural resources and advancing environmental sustainability and climate resilience in Montgomery County. You will contribute to master plans, environmental analyses, and development review work that support informed decision-making and long-term community outcomes.

Examples of Important Duties

• Serve as a department-wide expert on climate resilience, environmental planning, and related natural resource issues, providing guidance to staff, leadership, partner agencies, and decision-makers.
• Manage the department’s climate initiatives including the Climate Resilience Functional Master Plan, Planning’s responsibilities under the Climate Action Plan, Climate Assessments of Zoning Text Amendments and Master Plans, Department-wide sustainability efforts, conducting an area climate vulnerability study, and tracking and collection of climate data.
• Apply expert knowledge of climate, environmental, and natural resource data to Montgomery County; lead multifaceted master plans, studies, environmental analyses, and other complex or high-profile initiatives; conduct intensive research and analysis; and develop sound policies and recommendations.
• Integrate environmental goals and climate considerations into planning decisions that shape growth, development, public facilities, parklands, long-term community outcomes, and overall resiliency.
• Oversee or lead project teams and coordinate department staff, county agencies, community groups, and private-sector consultants to advance departmental objectives.
• Represent the Department with external climate groups, inter-agency climate committees, and County and Statewide climate initiatives.
• Prepare, present, and defend planning reports, plans, recommendations, and policy positions before the Planning Board, County Council, Commission, District Council, Zoning Hearing Examiner, community groups, business interests, and other stakeholders.
• Review and analyze complex projects, legislative proposals, department initiatives, and related planning matters through an environmental and climate lens.

As the Environmental Planner IV, you will work autonomously as a recognized department-wide expert in climate planning. You will lead or oversee multifaceted projects and studies, guide project teams, and bring expert judgment to complex, contentious, and politically sensitive environmental and climate issues. You will represent and defend the Department’s analyses and recommendations before decision-makers and stakeholders while helping other staff deliver high-quality work.