Planner II/III (10635, Grade 24/28)

Overview

Are you an experienced urban designer passionate about creating resilient, diverse, and healthy communities? Are you excited to have a broad impact on the built environment and public realm to shape Montgomery County’s future? If so, the Montgomery County Planning Department is where you want to be! We are currently seeking an experienced, motivated, and thoughtful Planner II/III with strong urban design and planning skills to join one of the nation’s premier planning agencies and help shape Montgomery County for the 21st Century. As part of the DownCounty Division, which covers the portion of Montgomery County inside the Capital Beltway and just outside the nation’s capital, this position is an opportunity to have a significant impact on the built environment, promote design excellence and shape future communities in the urban parts of Montgomery County.

Montgomery Planning 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.

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.)

The selected candidate is expected to have strong oral and written communication skills; the ability to contribute to difficult and complex planning projects; an interest and the ability to communicate directly with a diverse group of constituents, such as county residents, developers, planners, architects, engineers, attorneys, and public officials on a variety of design related topics. You will also have outstanding analytical capabilities, strong design skills and a commitment to negotiating successfully for the highest outcomes for Montgomery County. Additionally, you will have proven leadership skills and a desire to grow and accept new challenges head on. Fieldwork and occasional evening meetings are required. Applicants called for an interview should provide both a writing sample and a design portfolio. 

Examples of Important Duties 

• Works as part of a collaborative multi-disciplinary team during all phases of development of a master plan. This includes contributing to or leading public engagement efforts for the duration of a given sector or master plan.
• Prepares two- and three-dimensional design studies of potential redevelopment scenarios for key master plan properties for staff use in developing plan recommendations and for presentation to the Planning Board, community members and stakeholders, and others.
• Develops and presents urban design recommendations for master plans and design guidelines and presents them to the Planning Board, community members and stakeholders, and others.
• Serves as an internal expert on panels, committees, and task forces and proposes planning and urban design policies and updates to sector and master plans or the Comprehensive Plan.
• Prepares detailed reports, presentations, and staff reports on recommendations for sector and master plans, urban design projects/initiatives, among others.
• Represents the Department’s position at public hearings before the County Council and the Montgomery County Planning Board.
• Responds to inquiries from the public on local and regional urban design questions and concerns.
• Prepares well- written, accurate, concise, and clear reports and other documents for both internal and external use.

At the Planner II level, this position will provide specialized planning and design functions listed above appropriate to their experience and/or education. The Planner II will not lead projects but will be contributing at a high level under the coordination of the project manager.

At the Planner III level, this position will be preparing more advanced and complex design studies appropriate to their additional education and/or experience.   In addition to working generally more independently, the Planner III will lead unique and high-profile planning and design projects.  The Planner III will advise division leadership on policy development and mentor divisional and departmental staff on design analysis, rendering, and modeling techniques and approaches.

Helpful Skills and Software Proficiency: Strong graphic and basic 3D modeling skills and proficiency in:

• Adobe Creative Suite including Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign
• Sketchup
• GIS

Planner II salary range $56,769.00 – $100,538.00 annually
Planner III salary range $65,328.00 – $117,831.00 annually 

Minimum Qualifications

Planner II

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Geography, Architecture, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field.
2. Two (2) years of progressively responsible professional level planning experience related to specific area of assignment such as transportation planning
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total four (4) years.Valid driver’s license (depending on
4. area of assignment) 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.

Planner III

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Geography, Architecture, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field.
2. Four (4) years of progressively responsible professional level planning experience related to specific area of assignment such as transportation planning, environmental planning or urban planning.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total eight (8) years.
4. Valid driver’s license (depending on area of assignment) 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.

Supplemental Information

Classification Specification- Planner II, Planner III

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. A commuter stipend is available. Learn about our new LEED Platinum-rated headquarters building here!

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.