Associate Planner

Position Summary:

This is professional-level work directly serving the general public and government agencies including federal, State, and local jurisdictions. The primary duty of the Associate Planner is to work in a multi-disciplinary setting and conduct all aspects of land use, zoning, and planning efforts for Kent County.  

Essential Functions:

•  Reviews and is responsible for development applications and building permits regarding their consistency with the adopted Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Ordinance including impacts on the environment, quality of site design, architecture, compatibility with neighboring uses, planning principles, availability, and capacity of public facilities to include water, sewer, and transportation
• Facilitates the interagency review process, including advertising, mailings, postings, etc.
• Ensures project review conditions and comments are addressed prior to approval.
• Initiates actions necessary to correct deficiencies in applications and building permits as well as correct violations of regulations in coordination with the County Code Enforcement work group.
• Conducts significant and extensive research, including policy and County and State legislation.
• Analyzes proposals and prepares staff reports for the Planning Commission, the Board of Appeals, and other Boards as assigned.
• Staff citizen committees; schedules and conducts meetings with developers and the general public.
• Serves on various task forces and committees as the County's liaison and representative.
• As assigned, serves as local administrator of programs such as the Critical Area Program, Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation Program, Watershed Implementation Plan, etc.
• Negotiates effectively with developers, property owners, and other participants in the development review process on project-specific issues.
• Consult with County attorneys regarding land use legal issues and applies the information obtained.
• Serves as a Planning Director's designee as Hearing Examiner for Special Exceptions or Variances.
• Assists in the drafting of Land Use Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan updates.
• Performs other duties as required.

Supervision:

The position reports to the Deputy Director of Planning. The position does not supervise staff.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

•  Problem Solving: Anticipates problems; sees how a problem and its solution will affect other areas; gathers information before making decisions; weighs alternatives against objectives and arrives at reasonable decisions.
• Attention to Detail: Is alert; follows detailed procedures and ensures accuracy; carefully monitors plans or processes; concentrates on routine work details. Recognizes and accurately evaluates the signs of a problem and handles the problem accordingly.
• Analytical skill: Ability to diagnose complex problems and break them down into the lowest common denominators to solve.
• Customer Service: Ability to assist and support constituents in a timely and pleasing manner. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, representatives of other agencies, and the public.
• Flexibility: Adapts well to changing priorities, deadlines, and directions; works to eliminate all processes which do not add value; is responsive and works effectively within limited time frames; takes informed risks.
• Technical Skill: Ability to understand legal aspects of land use planning and zoning. Familiar with general agricultural-related land use issues, soil conservation practices, stormwater management, public water and sewer, and on-site well and septic systems. Ability to conduct research, and read and interpret ordinances and plans. Working knowledge of wetland regulations, Critical Areas, the State Forest Conservation Act, historic preservation and architecture, various tax credit programs, landscape architecture, as well as land preservation and conservation programs. Ability to draft legislation such as land use regulations for adoption as part of the County Code.
• Responsiveness: Responds to requests for service in a timely and thorough manner; does what is necessary to ensure customer satisfaction; prioritizes customer needs.
• Project Management: Ability to handle a variety of projects with conflicting deadlines and needs.
• Communication and Persuasion: Ability to communicate with non-technical and technical end users, to gain cooperation and understanding of technical ideas and systems and project scopes. Ability to produce well-written and well-thought-out documents for constituents’ use.
• Computer Related Skills: Ability to work with MS Office, GIS, and database packages.

Education and Experience: 

• Master's Degree in planning, urban planning, landscape architecture, public administration, or a related field is required.
• Two years of experience in local planning and zoning, or three years of related experience. 
• Or equivalent technical training, education, or experience.
• Valid Maryland Driver’s License and an acceptable motor vehicle record.
• AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) preferred.

Physical and Environmental Conditions: 

Work is conducted primarily in an office setting with comfortable lighting, temperature, and air conditions. Some fieldwork may be required. The position occasionally requires stooping or bending. Occasional very light lifting, such as three or four reams of paper, books, or other materials (up to 20 pounds) may be required.

Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices or meeting rooms, e.g. use of safe workplace practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire regulations. Occasional outdoor weather conditions may include exposure to varied weather conditions. There may be some exposure to hazards on building sites that occasionally expose the employee to high, precarious places and risk of electrical shock. Precautions similar to those taken on a construction site should be observed in these instances. 

Benefits:

• Annual, Personal & Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• MD State Retirement & Pension
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance 

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. 

This and all County positions are subject to transfer, based on need.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Kent County Government provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Salary : $29 - $46