Forest Conservation Inspector (11377, Grade 24)

Overview

THIS IS A RE-ADVERTISEMENT; PREVIOUS CANDIDATES NEED NOT RE-APPLY!

Do you have a passion for enforcing Forest Conservation for the benefit and sustainability of future generations? If so, the Montgomery County Planning Department is where you want to be! We are seeking a motivated Forest Conservation Inspector with environmental compliance and regulatory enforcement experience to join our Intake & Regulatory Coordination (IRC) Division. Our IRC team consists of experienced development inspectors, plan reviewers, and regulatory professionals related to Forest Conservation Law, Subdivision and Zoning ordinances in Montgomery County.

Montgomery County Planning Department is part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). For over 90 years, M-NCPPC has had a national reputation for excellence in planning, and today serves a culturally diverse population of over one million people on the border of Washington, D.C. in Montgomery County. We provide county-wide planning functions including long range planning, as well as reviews of development applications in diverse built environments of downtown urban districts, suburban communities, and agricultural areas. We have pioneered nationally modeled programs in agricultural preservation, inclusionary housing, and transit-oriented design. To learn more about who we are and what we do, we encourage you to watch this brief video here and visit our website at www.montgomeryplanning.org.

M-NCPPC believes that diversity in all dimensions of the organization support and bolster the innovative thinking essential to its success. We do not make hiring decisions on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, political affiliation, ideology, or status as a Veteran. We will do what we can to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at 301-495-4525 to request accommodation.

We value the safety of our staff and our community. To that end, we have required all our employees to be vaccinated while following all COVID-19 protocols. Person(s) hired for this position must provide proof of being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (with limited religious or medical exceptions.)

As our Inspector, you will primarily be responsible for coordinating and performing various development inspections and enforcement proceedings related to certain regulatory requirements as specified in Planning Board approved site plans, preliminary plans, and forest conservation plans. Additionally, you will recognize constructability issues as they relate to existing field conditions and contradicting plan requirements and provide reasonable solutions while directing field changes and time sensitive development triggers.

Examples of Important Duties 

• Perform various preconstruction, construction, and post construction development inspections as required by plan approvals.
• Ensure Forest Conservation Law is upheld on development projects and M-NCPPC Forest Conservation Easements for a specific assigned territory of the County.
• Ensure conditions of plan approval are being met throughout the development process.
• Investigate forest conservation violations from discovery, documentation, and record keeping.
• Draft correspondences such as responses to property owners, corrective action orders, plan comments, and staff reports.
• Issue notices of violation and civil citations to property owners and developers.
• Conduct property research, document development activities, and investigate public complaints.
• Follow-up to ensure all milestones are satisfied in settlement agreements, violation cases, and financial penalties.
• Experience reviewing land records and searching property data and forest conservation plan management and maintenance agreements, easement documents, and associated performance bonds or LOC’s.
• Review site plan, forest conservation plan, and preliminary plan amenities/landscaping requirements to determine performance bond cost estimates.
• Assist in writing and/or updating the inspectors manual, public outreach marketing, and other applicable program documents.
• Attend meetings and inspections with homeowners, developers, and builders.
• Document forest conservation easement areas and monitors changes.
• Review submitted forest conservations exemption requests, restoration plans, and forest conservation plan amendments in response to violations for compliance with submittal requirements, accuracy, and completeness. Identify problems and changes needed for compliance. Prepare and disseminate detailed written review comments on application issues.
• Prepare and make presentations before Montgomery County Planning Board or a Hearing Examiner.

Minimum Qualifications 

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Forestry, Arboriculture, Environmental Science, or any related field.
2. Two (2) years of forestry or arboriculture experience.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total six (6) years.
4. Valid driver’s license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver’s license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee’s ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.
5. Must be able to obtain and maintain Certified Arborist certification from the International Society of Arboriculture within one year of employment; and all applicable certifications.

Supplemental Information

Classification Specification: Forest Conservation Inspector (2262)

Working Conditions: Approximately 2/3 of the work will be outdoors. Work involves field investigations which could entail walking through forests, fields, and active construction sites during all four seasons and encountering insects. There could be considerable walking through uneven surfaces, standing, bending, crouching, and carrying of equipment and supplies while in the field.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Horticulture/arboriculture expertise with working knowledge of tree preservation/care methods and noxious weed/invasive species management practices.
• Education or training as ISA Certified Arborist or Maryland Tree Expert, Landscape Architect, Environmental Scientist, or another similar discipline.
• Professional background in real estate development and/or the construction industry.
• Previous enforcement experience including testifying in judicial or quasi-judicial hearings.
• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with community members, property owners, and developers.
• Ability to read and interpret engineered plans.
• Detail oriented with strong negotiation and organization skills.
• Ability to multi-task and meet set timeframes and deadlines.
• Experience with a variety of computer programs such as GIS and applications for word processing, spreadsheets, map production graphics, slide presentations, data entry, or tracking systems.
• Self-motivated and works well in a team environment.
• Manage and follow up on enforcement cases.

This position will require the applicant to become an expert in the Forest Conservation Law Chapter 22A of the Montgomery County Code. The successful candidate must be an ISA Certified Arborist or have the ability to become certified within the first six-months of employment.

Person(s) hired for this position must provide proof of being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (with limited religious or medical exceptions).  

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.

About the Montgomery County Planning Department: 
M-NCPPC offers excellent benefits and competitive salaries. We are conveniently located in downtown Wheaton, MD and easily accessible to Wheaton Metro Station and several bus lines. Transit subsidies are available. Learn about our new LEED Platinum-rated headquarters building here!