What are the responsibilities and job description for the Planning Specialist I- Planning and Zoning, Resource Conservation 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.
This is professional planning work in support of the Department of Planning and Zoning’s Resource Conservation Division. This Division is responsible for Environmental, Agricultural and Historic Preservation and this position will primarily support its historic preservation programs. Work can cover a broad range of topics and tasks, such as historic preservation, development plan review, land use and zoning, relevant to the Resource Conservation Division, staff support to the Historic Preservation Commission, the Cemetery Preservation Advisory Board and building demolition review. Work also includes compiling and analyzing data, preparing oral and written reports and presentations, and assisting with the review of applications, along with the evaluation of the impact development projects may have on historic resources. This position works under the general supervision from an administrative or technical superior.
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
- Assists technical superior in reviewing applications to the Historic Preservation Commission, as well as preparing staff reports and Minor Alteration determinations. Utilizes design guidelines, the County Code, and general preservation and architectural knowledge to draft reports and other determinations.
- Conducts preliminary review of subdivision and site development plans, alternative compliance requests, conditional uses and other zoning or land development actions involving historic properties and resources, which may include historic cemeteries.
- Conducts site visits and performs field work as needed for application review, documentation of historic properties or to review conformance with historic planning policies and regulations.
- Attends meetings of the Historic Preservation Commission and the Cemetery Preservation Advisory Board and performs routine administrative tasks, including drafting meeting minutes, scheduling and setting-up in-person, virtual and hybrid meetings, maintaining project files, and drafting correspondence.
- Assists technical superior in conducting studies and surveys. Collects and compiles population, land use, historic resource, and other data; analyzes data; and manages and updates databases and other data tracking documents.
- Assists technical superior in applying for, and administering, various grant programs.
- Answers public inquiries regarding division functions and procedures, including historic preservation policies and regulations; and special projects and programs.
- Assists Architectural Historian with the documentation of historic properties through photography, measured drawings and historical research. This may include expanding documentation of the County’s historic resources to reflect their diverse cultural and ethnic context.
- Participates in interagency programs; attends staff, State and regional meetings as necessary.
- Assists in updating County web pages and may perform some administrative tasks, such as prepare mailings that promote historic preservation programs.
- Works and cooperates with co-workers and supervisors at all levels. Learns and performs all essential job functions accurately.
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Bachelor’s Degree in historic preservation, architectural history, city and regional planning, urban planning, architecture, or a related field.
- Knowledge of the principles, practices, goals and objectives of historic preservation and restoration.
- Working knowledge of historic preservation, architecture, architectural terminology, with the ability to review site plans and building elevations.
- Working knowledge and ability to conduct historic research, title and deed searches and documentation of historic properties.
- Knowledge of the Maryland Historical Trust’s Maryland Inventory of Historic Property (MIHP) program.
- Knowledge of working in a local government planning office and supporting public boards and commissions.
- Working knowledge in community planning and zoning, and urban design.
- Knowledge of applying for and managing grants.
- Knowledge and ability to use Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat and Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop.
- Ability to read, comprehend and interpret documents relating to land use, zoning, environmental planning, public facilities, and information technology, among others.
- Ability to write, proofread, edit, and rewrite documents effectively and to produce accurate final documents.
- Ability to collect, synthesize and analyze research data and present it in written/graphic form; Ability to analyze and evaluate land use and development plans and condition sound practical recommendations.
- Ability to analyze and prepare statistical or technical reports.
- Ability to use a computer to access information, conduct research, communicate via videoconferencing platforms, and perform basic word processing and spreadsheet operations.
- Ability to speak effectively before individuals, citizen groups, and public bodies; Ability to maintain records.
- Ability to meet and deal effectively and maintain effective working relationships with County representatives, applicants, and the public.
- Ability to work independently, handle multiple deadlines, set individual priorities, manage time effectively, and apply consistently sound judgment.
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 and walk on paved or unpaved and irregular surfaces. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
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 office work environment is usually moderate but could vary at onsite field visits.
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 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 define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
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
