Principal Planner I - Bike and Pedestrian Coordinator

Exempt; full-time;40 hours per week; Monday-Friday; 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; full benefits

This professional position in the Department of Development Review and Planning is responsible for developing and implementing a County-wide bicycle and pedestrian program. This position will promote mobility and safety, initiate and review projects, and seek grant funding for the Bikeways and Trails Plan. This position is also responsible for the coordination of safety education with other County departments and external stakeholders including bike/ped advocacy groups, tourism, and health focused. Direction may be given to support staff; supervision is received from the Transportation Engineering Supervisor.

NOTE: The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions.  For transfers and promotions, wage rates are calculated per County policy.


 
TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.
 

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 5 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan.
• Coming soon-early 2025: Employee Health Center with no or low cost primary and urgent care

 

• Serve as community advocate and subject matter expert on County-wide bicycle and pedestrian program to build a safe interconnected bike and pedestrian network 
• Manage planning studies that prioritize future projects; direct and prioritize projects for future Capital Improvement Programs (CIP) 
• Conduct research and prepare reports on a variety of planning and bicycle/pedestrian related topic
• Assist Project Managers and Engineers develop projects from concept to final design to include managing community input/outreach, pursuing and securing funding resources, and grants etc.
• Coordinate across Division, County and external (state and other local) organizations multidisciplinary teams to initiate, design, develop and implement programs and projects
• Identify, analyze and coordinate data needs, collection and reports to note progress for improving and measuring the accessibility, use and safety of bicycle and pedestrian facilities, including trails, sidewalks, and bike paths/ lanes
• Coordinate with Planning and Development Review staff for reviews on subdivision/ land use policies, design manuals and regulations, zoning ordinances, adequate public facilities, site development plans, and improvement plans; Ensure the expansion of safe and interconnected bicycle and pedestrian networks through private and public funding of reconstruction, repaving and new capital projects
• Work with key constituent groups including employers, schools, government agencies, social service groups, advocacy groups, tourism destinations and others to encourage and assure safe bike and pedestrian travel
• Develop and recommend updates and changes to the Bikeways and Trails Plan, Trail Design Standards and Planning Guidelines, and improvements to other transportation planning efforts through recommendations of best practices to management
• Serve as a liaison to the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission, coordinate with similar groups at the City of Frederick and other municipalities
• Provide professional planning assistance to members of the community and various board and commissions on bicycle and pedestrian projects
• Drive county vehicle to perform field inspections to gather data relevant to studies and projects
• Utilize electronic plan review software
• Make and prepare presentations on educational and promotional information to the public and elected officials
• As directed, coordinate with local, regional and state agencies related to planning and bicycle/pedestrian programs
• Perform other related duties as required

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  

• Master’s degree in Planning, Transportation Engineering, or closely related field
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in planning and/or engineering 
• Possession of a valid automobile operator's license

OR

• Bachelor's degree in Planning, Transportation Engineering, or closely related field
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant work experience in planning and/or engineering
• Possession of a valid automobile operator's license

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

• Ability to maintain County Authorized Driver privileges.
• Knowledge in the principles and practices of planning, design and implementation of bicycle and pedestrian facilities and programs
• Knowledge of zoning and subdivision principles and practices
• Working knowledge of transportation related projects in the areas of systems and project (NEPA) planning
• Knowledge of Maryland State Highway standards, specifications relating to bicycle and pedestrian facilities
• Ability to effectively utilize computerized systems/equipment (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, data base, presentation, publishing etc.)
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with consultants, co-workers, government agencies and the general public
• Ability to effectively organize work and determine priorities, work independently on complex projects, and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision
• Ability to analyze and systematically compile technical and statistical information and to prepare technical reports
• Strong and effective written and spoken (English) communication skills, including public speaking skills and the ability to prepare and present clear, concise written and spoken reports for varied audiences

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Planning or engineering work experience at the local or state government level   
• Experience or training using electronic plan review software

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly sit; frequently walk and perform repetitive motions; occasionally reach; and rarely climb, stoop, lift up to 20 pounds, and drive
• While working in the position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors; occasionally work outdoors; and rarely walk on uneven ground and work in dirty environments

• Available for evening and weekend work hours when required for special meetings and programs

EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include):

1. An evaluation of training and experience
2. One or more interviews

Salary : $65,509 - $104,815