Position Description
NOTE: As of July 5, 2024 the salary range for the Senior Planner will be:
$77,836-$146,918 Annually.
This posting will be used to fill a full time, permanent Senior Planner position on the Critical Area Team in the Development Division of the Anne Arundel Office of Planning and Zoning. This is advanced professional and technical work in the field of development coordination, review and management, and/or urban planning, program management.
The Development Division is responsible for the review of all commercial and residential minor and major subdivisions, residential and commercial building and grading permits, and site development plans for compliance with adequacy of facilities, parking, subdivision, zoning, and landscape ordinances, along with Federal, State, and local environmental regulations. Additionally, the Development Division is responsible for the review, tracking and decision on all modifications to the subdivision regulations, modifications for permits being reviewed by the Division and provides comments to the Zoning Section on most variance and special exception applications. The Critical Area Team conducts the review of all Development Division projects that fall within the Critical Area for compliance with all applicable state and county regulations.
NATURE AND VARIETY OF WORK
The position is responsible for project management, technical studies, planning and drafting legislation involving land use, transportation, environmental resources, and urban design. The Senior Planner may also be responsible for project management of site-plan review, zoning and subdivision regulation, and coordination of interests inherent to the land development process. Work may involve managing and reviewing the work of other professional and technical staff members engaged in special projects that necessitate the expertise of several disciplines and/or specialty program aspects.
Examples of Duties and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
(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.
Oversees and coordinates the processing, review and development of recommended departmental positions on complex projects involving land use, environmental resources, transportation or urban design.
Project management of site-plan reviews, zoning and subdivision regulations, and large-scale land use proposals.
Conducts research, planning, and technical analyses for complex planning projects related to land use, environmental resources, transportation or urban design.
Recommends and initiates professional and technical studies in support of ongoing planning programs and development review activities.
Coordinates review and formulation of multi-jurisdictional regulations affecting broad development plans.
May supervise the work of professional and technical subordinates engaged in planning, review, and other phases of projects/programs.
Performs related work as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Thorough knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies as they apply to planning, zoning and land use controls.
Thorough knowledge of research methods employed in the collection, evaluation, and presentation of planning data.
Ability to express basic ideas effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to communicate routine information clearly and concisely in the manner requested.
Ability to manage professional and technical employees engaged in planning studies, programs and projects.
Ability to establish effective working relationships with subordinates, appointed and elected officials, state and local government representatives, and citizen interest groups.
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with course work in planning or Environmental Science, Natural Resource Planning, Geography, Geology, Social Science, Public Administration, Public Policy Analysis, Landscape Architecture, a closely related field; six (6) or more years of experience in major professional planning and zoning projects; and a valid non-commercial Class C motor vehicle operator's license.
Supplemental Qualifications
Preference will be given to applicants with the following:
1) Four (4) or more years of experience/knowledge in reading, interpreting, and applying Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, Maryland Forest Conservation, subdivision, zoning, long range planning, FEMA, as well as other development and environmental regulations to the review of site development plans, subdivisions, grading plans, lot coverage plans, forest stand delineations, forest conservation plans, plats, associated development and construction plans, associated legal documents, and permit plans.
2) Six (6) or more years of experience in project management of difficult to complex residential, industrial, multi-phased mixed use and commercial subdivision development projects.
3) Six (6) or more years of customer service experience in a fast-paced environment to include telephone and face to face contact with the public, government departments, outside (private) agencies, appointed and elected officials, consultants/engineers, and co-workers.
4) Wetland Delineation, Forest Conservation and/or other similar environmental certifications.
5) Knowledge and experience with climate change adaptation planning.
