Real Estate Market Researcher (Planner III/IV) (13009, Grade 28/30)

Overview

Description

Are you passionate about the built environment? Do you enjoy using real estate market analytics to develop innovative master plans and land use policy? If so, the Montgomery County Planning Department is where you want to be! We are currently seeking an experienced Real Estate Market Researcher for our Research and Strategic Projects (R&SP) Division. This person will serve as an important subject matter expert, advising the Planning Department and the Planning Board on real estate market conditions, financial analysis, and the economic feasibility of land use proposals in Montgomery County. This position is an opportunity to work on an exciting range of projects, including original research, in a dynamic public planning agency and serve as a vital subject matter expert.

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.

Montgomery Planning 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.)

The Research and Strategic Projects (R&SP) Division serves as a “think tank” by providing insightful, understandable and data-driven analysis and policy-relevant research on land use, demographics, economic indicators, real estate, and other markets such as employment and housing.

The selected candidate is expected to have experience conducting market and real estate feasibility studies, including building pro formas and conducting discounted cash flow analyses. It is also desirable for the candidate to have a strong understanding of land use planning principles and how the analysis of real estate feasibility and public finance works with the overall land development plan process.

In addition to being a creative and an analytical thinker, it is preferable that the candidate possess strong presentation and writing skills, strong skills in building ongoing partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, and the ability to distill and communicate findings from complex analysis that are understandable to and influential for a range of audiences, including interdisciplinary planning department staff, planning board members, and the general public.

This position can be filled as a Planner III or Planner IV. 

Examples of Important Duties 

Serve as the primary subject matter expert on real estate market and development feasibility analysis for master plans, development review, research studies, and other short- and long-term land use policy issues.
Conduct analytical studies of County real estate market and economic conditions for a range of product types. 
Develop financial models to analyze build out scenario feasibility for master plans.
Conduct residual land value analysis to assess redevelopment potential of sites at different densities.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary professionals on master plan teams to develop recommendations and implementation strategies that are feasible given market conditions.
Develop clear and compelling presentations to the Planning Board, County Council, County Executive, County Departments, and other key regional stakeholders.
Develop scopes of services and manage work of outside consultants conducting additional real estate market and feasibility studies. 

As the Planner III, you will serve as the lead researcher and coordinator of real estate market assessments for the department.  You will conduct market research, monitor economic conditions, develop basic pro formas to assess development feasibility, and present your findings to master plans teams, the community, the Planning Board, and other stakeholders.  You will also manage the work of consultants to provide independent assessments of market conditions.

As the Planner IV, you will perform duties similar to the Planner III, but more independently under general direction.  The Planner IV has extensive experience conducting market analyses and assessing development feasibility, explaining recommendations in public forums, and serving as a subject matter expert in land use and real estate development.  

Minimum Qualifications

Planner IV:

Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Geography, Architecture, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field. 
Six (6) years of progressively responsible professional level planning experience that includes project consultation and coordination.  
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total ten (10) years.
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.

Planner III:

Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Geography, Architecture, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field.
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.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total eight (8) years.
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

Class/Specification: Planner IV/Planner III

ADDITIONAL DESIRED SKILLS:

Advanced user of Excel
Experience with Costar and other real estate data sources
Experience with public-private partnerships and infrastructure funding
Previous experience working with government agencies is desirable

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!