What are the responsibilities and job description for the Planning Specialist I - Department of Planning and Zoning position at Howard County?
Howard County:
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.
Howard County Government:
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, best practices and sustainability. It is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2024, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 63 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the most awards in the state of Maryland, and the fifth highest in the nation, as compared to more than 3000 counties. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policy making.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.
What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:
- We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
- We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!
- We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
- As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.
Reviews subdivision and site development plans for conformity to local zoning and land development regulations and the appropriate State/County legislation.
STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$29.71 - $32.54
$61,799 - $67,685
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs professional level planning and zoning work under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes compiling data of factors affecting land use, transportation, water and sewer, or environmental planning for the County; analyzing data collected and projecting future conditions and needs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
Serves as project manager for assigned subdivision plans, Site Development Plans and alternative compliance petitions. Compiles the review comments generated by the various agencies of the Subdivision Review Committee and determines the appropriate plan status. Prepares and forwards recommendations for plan action by the Department.
Communicates (in writing, on the telephone and in meetings) with developers, property owners, engineering consultants, environmental consultants, design professionals and other Subdivision Review Committee agencies.
Communicates with community groups and interested citizens (in writing, on the telephone and in meetings).
Monitors the progress of all assigned subdivisions and site development plans with respect to compliance with all established milestones and submission deadlines.
Prepares and reviews written comments, alternative compliance petition recommendations, and letters. Responsible for written technical staff reports and verbal presentation of same to the Planning Board.
Completes field inspections to verify site features, the posting of the property, the installation of landscaping materials and the fulfillment of Forest Conservation obligations.
Implementation, operational maintenance and daily monitoring of the Project Dox electronic plan processing system.
Assists with intake for acceptance of plan submissions from developers, engineers and contractors; reviews same for completeness and consistency; distributes plans to designated reviewing agencies; answers routine public inquiries concerning the plan processing procedures; and may act as lead staff coordinator for addressing of new subdivisions and street renaming with Agencies.
Assists in field survey work to identify and confirm existing site features including waterways, streams, wetlands, associated buffers, floodplain, specimen and protected trees, and forest canopy associated with Environmental Concept Plans and Forest Conservation Plans.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's Degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Planning or Environment Science.
Knowledge of the principles, practices, goals and objectives of urban, regional community planning work.
Knowledge of the research methodology used in conducting studies of social and economic matters, land use and development, housing patterns, environmental conditions and transportation factors.
Some knowledge of the methods and techniques of developing and implementing an ecologically sound long range land use plan.
May require knowledge of water quality management, environmental planning, water chemistry and biology, soils chemistry, natural resource surveying and identification.
Skill in preparing charts, graphs and other visual presentations.
Ability to compile, collect and analyze complex social and economic statistical data.
Ability to express ideas effectively orally and in written and graphic form.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public.
Ability to maintain records and prepare technical reports.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Position may require field visits with extensive walking, some climbing and occasional exposure to inclement weather.
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS
Possession of a valid driver's license.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
TO APPLY: You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted.
Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks.
At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org) or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (https://www.wes.org/).
Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at HiringPreference@howardcountymd.gov. Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.
Salary : $61,799 - $67,685
