Planner III - Residential

Anne Arundel County – Planning and Zoning Department; Maryland; On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Anne Arundel County – Planning and Zoning Department is seeking a Planner III for the Residential Team within the Development Division. The role focuses on planning, zoning, and site development, including complex subdivision reviews and coordination with multiple teams.

Supervisory responsibilities and project management are integral. The position emphasizes land use, environmental resources preservation, and adherence to County and State regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 4+ years of professional planning and zoning experience.
• Experience reading and interpreting site plans, architectural plans, deeds, and easements.
• Project management of complex residential, institutional, or development projects.
• Strong customer service experience in a fast-paced public environment.
• Knowledge of Forest Conservation, wetlands, and related environmental regulations.

Responsibilities

• Review and manage complex subdivision and site development plans and County permit reviews.
• Coordinate planning investigations, conduct major planning projects, and prepare findings.
• Supervise subordinates such as Planning Technician and Planner I/II as assigned.
• Assist in formulating planning or zoning policy and represent superiors at meetings.
• Prepare reports, design project methods, and ensure compliance with regulations.

Skills

Environmental planning

Land use policy

Project management

Regulatory review

Public presentations

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in planning or related field

Tools

Accela Civic Platform

Google Workspace

Job description

This posting will be used to fill a full time, permanent Planner III position on the Residential Team in the Development Division within the Office of Planning and Zoning for Anne Arundel County Government.

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. The Development Division is responsible for the review of all commercial and residential subdivision applications, site development applications and their associated permits as well as permit review for all County projects and infrastructure. This division comprises four teams for Development review: Critical Area; Regional; Residential; and Transportation. The Planner III in the Residential section is a professional position focused on planning, zoning and site development. This will include land use, environmental resources preservation and the subdivision of property. The position’s primary function is for the review of complex development projects for compliance with all applicable regulations and will have supervisory and project management responsibilities. These reviews include compliance with adequacy of public facilities, subdivision, zoning and landscape requirements in the Anne Arundel County Code as well as all environmental regulations of the Code associated with forest conservation, wetlands, steep slopes, and streams. The Development Division is also responsible for providing comments to the Zoning Division on most variance and special exception applications.

The Planning Administrator, with support from the Senior Planner, will oversee the Planner III’s work program, although the employee will exercise considerable initiative and judgment in carrying out assigned projects. These responsibilities include planning, scheduling, and conducting major planning project reviews for compliance with applicable regulations. The Planner III is expected to define project questions or problems; design project methods and procedures; and complete major planning assignments. This position may also supervise assignments in collaboration with Residential Team and Development Division team members, including but not limited to Planning Technicians, a Planner I and a Planner II as well as other staff as required.

NATURE AND VARIETY OF WORK

This Planner III position will review and be the project manager for complex subdivision and site development plan applications. This position will also review County permits for County and Board of Education projects. The position’s work program and objectives are set forth by a lead person or supervisor, but the employee will exercise considerable initiative and judgment in carrying out assigned projects. Work involves responsibility for planning, scheduling, and conducting major planning projects and is responsible for defining project questions or problems, designing project methods and procedures, and carrying through to completion major planning assignments. Supervision may be exercised over a Planning Technician, Planner I and Planner II and paraprofessional subordinates. Work programs and objectives are set forth by the Planning Administrator or Senior Planner, but the employee exercises considerable initiative and judgment in carrying out assigned projects. Work is reviewed periodically by the Planning Administrator or Senior Planner.(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 independent investigations, performs research, planning, and technical analysis for the more complex planning projects; conducts long range planning studies on such subjects as housing, capital improvements, community facilities, land use, economic conditions, and transportation; prepares reports of studies; in demographic or transportation studies, collects, tabulates, analyzes, and presents data in the form of written, graphic, and oral formats.

Oversees and coordinates the processing, review, and development of recommended departmental position on zoning reclassifications, exceptions, variances, and zoning enforcement; drafts administrative decisions; reviews and analyzes applications for special permits and licenses.

Assists in the formulation of planning or zoning policy; represents superiors at various meetings; provides information on planning matters and regulations to the public.

May supervise the work of subordinates assigned to specific planning studies or to projects involving tabulating, compiling, and drafting survey data for reports and the preparation of component portions of major reports and/or supervises planning analysts in review of zoning issues and development plans.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and objectives of environmental planning and land use policies.

Thorough knowledge of the Anne Arundel County and State forest conservation regulations and policies as they apply to planning, zoning, and project review.

Considerable knowledge of environmental resources, and how these resources are identified and regulated. Considerable knowledge of development regulations and processes in Anne Arundel County.

Thorough knowledge of research methods employed in the collection, evaluation, and presentation of planning, zoning and environmental data. Skill in presenting and explaining findings and recommendations effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, representatives of other agencies, and the public.

A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with course work in planning or a closely related field; four (4) or more years of experience in professional planning and zoning work or a related field; and a valid non-commercial Class C motor vehicle operator's license. Preference will be given to applicants with the following:

• 1.) Four (4) or more years of experience/knowledge in applying Forest Conservation, wetland, subdivision, site development as well as other development and environmental regulations to project and permit plan creation and/or review.
• 2.) Four (4) or more years of experience reading and interpreting site plans, architectural plans, construction plans, and legal documents such as deeds, agreements, court orders and/or easements.
• 3.) Four (4) or more years of experience in the project management of difficult to complex residential, institutional or other types of development projects.
• 4.) Strong customer service experience in a fast paced environment to include telephone, virtual, and face to face contact with the public, government departments, appointed and elected officials, consultants/engineers, and co-workers.
• 5.) Wetland, Forest Conservation and or other similar environmental certifications.
• 6.) Experience with Google Workspace.
• 7.) Experience using Accela Civic Platform or similar software for digital review.