Planner III (14915, Grade 28)

The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission; Largo (MD); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework opportunities

Flexible schedules

Onsite fitness center

Gym access across Prince George’s

Free parking

Tuition reimbursement

Federal loan forgiveness eligibility

Job summary

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is seeking a Planner III to join the Prince George’s County Planning Department in Largo, Maryland. The role focuses on reviewing land use proposals, coordinating with county agencies, and leading project teams to ensure compliance with zoning and subdivision regulations.

Ideal candidates possess strong analytical and writing skills, experience in public hearings, and the ability to communicate complex planning issues clearly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Geography, Architecture, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or related field.
• Four years of progressively responsible professional planning experience in transportation, environmental, or urban planning.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience totaling eight years.
• Valid driver’s license (depending on assignment) per State and Commission rules.

Responsibilities

• Review land use, development, redevelopment, and transit‑oriented development proposals for conformance with codes and standards.
• Coordinate department recommendations and inquiries; manage on‑going processes related to assigned cases including variances.
• Lead and coordinate project teams; present to public groups and hearings with clear written and graphical explanations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Strong communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Planning

Job description

The Prince George’s County Planning Department of The Maryland National-Capital Park and Planning Commission is seeking a Planner III to join our planning team. The Department provides land use planning for the physical development of Prince George’s County, Maryland. As the second most populous county in Maryland, Prince George’s has a population of approximately 900,000 residents and is home to The University of Maryland at College Park, WMATA Headquarters, UMD Capital Region Medical Center, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and Joint Base Andrews. Prince George’s County is also home to attractions such as Northwest Stadium (formerly FedEx Field) and National Harbor. If you are interested in working for the Prince George’s County Planning Department, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Planner III position.

Under direction, the selected candidate will perform a wide variety of advanced and complex professional planning work requiring a high level of responsibility and technical expertise to review proposed land use, development, redevelopment, and transit-oriented development. Work assignments include the coordination and review of multi-faceted projects that typically involve coordination with other department staff, county agencies, and citizens. Incumbents in this class are regularly assigned project leadership and coordination responsibilities as well as independent work assignments and contribute their expertise as part of other project or work teams. Performs administrative work directly related to case assignments. Performs other related duties as assigned. Must be able to take direction in a high paced department, and meet and track critical deadlines. Must have excellent writing skills with the ability to explain complex issues in a concise and direct manner to individuals and to the County Planning Board, District Council and Zoning Hearing Examiner at a public hearing.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING:

The ideal candidate for the Planner III position will be highly organized, have strong analytical skills, possess outstanding communication and leadership skills, and provide a directly related innovative approach to planning. In addition, they must be independently engaged in the work program, and highly dependable.

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Geography, Architecture, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field.
2. Four (4) years of progressively responsible professional level planning experience related to specific area of assignment such as transportation planning, environmental planning or urban planning.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total eight (8) years.
4. 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 Planner III

The individual in this position should be a planner, landscape architect, or urban designer with zoning and/or land use experience capable of reviewing and analyzing development proposals, as well as managing on‑going processes related to the assigned cases including variances. Primary duty will be the review of applications for conformance to the County Code including Zoning and Subdivision Regulations. This includes coordinating a Departmental recommendation on each application and various inquiries. The workload will include all types of applications, such as rezoning cases, site plans, special exceptions, departures, certified nonconforming uses, subdivisions, as well as providing zoning expertise to planning teams. The candidate must have very good plan review skills including engineered site plans. In addition, the candidate should have an understanding of basic land use law. Other duties may include participation in master plans or sector plans, working as part of an interdisciplinary project team. Requires negotiating solutions and making effective presentations on complex and controversial topics before public groups and in public hearings. Must possess strong oral, written, and visual communication skills; critical thinking skills; innovative problem‑solving skills; and the ability to work well with people. Ability to express planning and design principles verbally, graphically and in writing is essential. Combined public/private experience is preferred.

Why Prince George’s Planning?

• Telework opportunities
• 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 $75,336 to $135,882 (salary is commensurate with education and experience) at the Planner III 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.