Planner III - Residential

Position Description

This posting will be used to fill a full time, permanent Planner III position on the Residential Team in the Development Division within the Office of Planning and Zoning for Anne Arundel County Government.

The Office of Planning and Zoning (OPZ) is responsible for planning the physical growth and development of Anne Arundel County, Maryland (population 588,000). In order to fulfill that responsibility, OPZ’s portfolio has four programs: Administration, Development, Planning, and Zoning. The Development Division is responsible for the review of all commercial and residential subdivision applications, site development applications and their associated permits as well as permit review for all County projects and infrastructure. This division comprises four teams for Development review: Critical Area; Regional; Residential; and Transportation. The Planner III in the Residential section is a professional position focused on planning, zoning and site development. This will include land use, environmental resources preservation and the subdivision of property. The position’s primary function is for the review of complex development projects for compliance with all applicable regulations and will have supervisory and project management responsibilities. These reviews include compliance with adequacy of public facilities, subdivision, zoning and landscape requirements in the Anne Arundel County Code as well as all environmental regulations of the Code associated with forest conservation, wetlands, steep slopes, and streams. The Development Division is also responsible for providing comments to the Zoning Division on most variance and special exception applications.

The Planning Administrator, with support from the Senior Planner, will oversee the Planner III’s work program, although the employee will exercise considerable initiative and judgment in carrying out assigned projects. These responsibilities include planning, scheduling, and conducting major planning project reviews for compliance with applicable regulations. The Planner III is expected to define project questions or problems; design project methods and procedures; and complete major planning assignments. This position may also supervise assignments in collaboration with Residential Team and Development Division team members, including but not limited to Planning Technicians, a Planner I and a Planner II as well as other staff as required.

NATURE AND VARIETY OF WORK

This Planner III position will review and be the project manager for complex subdivision and site development plan applications. This position will also review County permits for County and Board of Education projects. The position’s work program and objectives are set forth by a lead person or supervisor, but the employee will exercise considerable initiative and judgment in carrying out assigned projects. Work involves responsibility for planning, scheduling, and conducting major planning projects and is responsible for defining project questions or problems, designing project methods and procedures, and carrying through to completion major planning assignments. Supervision may be exercised over a Planning Technician, Planner I and Planner II and paraprofessional subordinates. Work programs and objectives are set forth by the Planning Administrator or Senior Planner, but the employee exercises considerable initiative and judgment in carrying out assigned projects. Work is reviewed periodically by the Planning Administrator or Senior Planner.

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.)

Conducts independent investigations, performs research, planning, and technical analysis for the more complex planning projects; conducts long range planning studies on such subjects as housing, capital improvements, community facilities, land use, economic conditions, and transportation; prepares reports of studies; in demographic or transportation studies, collects, tabulates, analyzes, and presents data in the form of written, graphic, and oral formats.

Oversees and coordinates the processing, review, and development of recommended departmental position on zoning reclassifications, exceptions, variances, and zoning enforcement; drafts administrative decisions; reviews and analyzes applications for special permits and licenses.

Assists in the formulation of planning or zoning policy; represents superiors at various meetings; provides information on planning matters and regulations to the public.

May supervise the work of subordinates assigned to specific planning studies or to projects involving tabulating, compiling, and drafting survey data for reports and the preparation of component portions of major reports and/or supervises planning analysts in review of zoning issues and development plans.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and objectives of environmental planning and land use policies.

Thorough knowledge of the Anne Arundel County and State forest conservation regulations and policies as they apply to planning, zoning, and project review.

Considerable knowledge of environmental resources, and how these resources are identified and regulated. Considerable knowledge of development regulations and processes in Anne Arundel County.

Thorough knowledge of research methods employed in the collection, evaluation, and presentation of planning, zoning and environmental data. Skill in presenting and explaining findings and recommendations effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, representatives of other agencies, and the public.

Minimum Qualifications A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with course work in planning or a closely related field; four (4) or more years of experience in professional planning and zoning work or a related field; and a valid non-commercial Class C motor vehicle operator's license.

Supplemental Qualifications Preference will be given to applicants with the following:

• Four (4) or more years of experience/knowledge in applying Forest Conservation, wetland, subdivision, site development as well as other development and environmental regulations to project and permit plan creation and/or review.

• Four (4) or more years of experience reading and interpreting site plans, architectural plans, construction plans, and legal documents such as deeds, agreements, court orders and/or easements.

• Four (4) or more years of experience in the project management of difficult to complex residential, institutional or other types of development projects.

• Strong customer service experience in a fast paced environment to include telephone, virtual, and face to face contact with the public, government departments, appointed and elected officials, consultants/engineers, and co-workers.

• Wetland, Forest Conservation and or other similar environmental certifications.

• Experience with Google Workspace.

• Experience using Accela Civic Platform or similar software for digital review.

• Medical/Health Insurance Plans

• BlueChoice Advantage EPO

• BlueChoice Advantage PPO

• Dental Insurance

• CIGNA Dental PPO (Buy-Up)

• CIGNA Dental PPO (CORE)

• CIGNA Dental HMO (DHMO)

• Vision Insurance

• EyeMed

• Employee Life Insurance

• Term insurance of up to 2 times salary ($100,000 maximum) for employees at no cost.

• Ability to purchase Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance

• Disability Income Insurance

• Pension Plan

• Normal retirement after 30 years of service or Age 60 and 10 years of service or election to enroll in the Employees Retirement Savings Plan.

• Deferred Compensation Section 457 Plan

• Direct Deposit

• Credit Union

• Holidays

• Twelve days provided per year, thirteen in general election year

• Annual Leave

• Less than 3 years - 13 days

• 3 to less than 15 years - 20 days

• 15 years or more - 26 days

• Disability Leave

• Accrual at a rate of 15 days a year

• Personal Leave Day, 5 per calendar year

• Leave Sharing

• Employee Assistance Program

• Free, confidential counseling for employee and family members 4X per year per problem per family member; also counseling on legal and financial issues; assistance in locating childcare and elder care

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Dependent Care Reimbursement

• Health Care Reimbursement

• Voluntary Benefits

• Provides you an opportunity to enroll in any or all of the benefits listed below with the convenience of payroll deduction

• Universal Life Insurance with Long Term Care Rider

• United Legal Benefits

01

The supplemental questions are a very important first step in our screening process. Therefore, you are required to accurately and completely respond to each question by providing the information asked in each question. Your responses will be used to initially determine your qualifications and eligibility for this position. DO NOT INDICATE "SEE RESUME" IN RESPONSE TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS. Your response and lack of detail and explanation in the supplemental questions and in your application may result in failure or disqualification for this position. THIS MEANS YOU WILL BE INELIGIBLE FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION IN THIS RECRUITMENT PROCESS. Please check "yes" to show that you have read and understand this statement.

• Yes
• No

02

Do you hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year 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, or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

03

Please list your degree type and major coursework completed.

04

Do you have four (4) or more years' experience in professional planning and zoning work or a related field?

05

If you answered "yes" to the question above, please explain how you possess this experience to include position title, length of time in position and MAJOR duties.

06

Do you four (4) or more years of experience/knowledge in applying Forest Conservation, wetland, subdivision, site development as well as other development and environmental regulations to project and permit plan creation and/or review?

• Yes
• No

07

If you answered "yes" to the question above, please explain how you possess this experience to include position title, length of time in position and MAJOR duties.

08

Do you have four (4) or more years of experience reading and interpreting site plans, architectural plans, construction plans, and legal documents such as deeds, agreements, court orders and/or easements?

• Yes
• No

09

If you answered "yes" to the question above, please explain how you possess this experience to include position title, length of time in position and MAJOR duties.

10

Do four (4) or more years of experience in the project management of difficult to complex residential, institutional or other types of development projects?

• Yes
• No

11

If you answered "yes" to the question above, please explain how you possess this experience to include position title, length of time in position and MAJOR duties.

12

Do you have Wetland, Forest Conservation and or other similar environmental certifications?

• Yes
• No

13

Do you have strong customer service experience in a fast paced environment to include telephone, virtual, and face to face contact with the public, government departments, appointed and elected officials, consultants/engineers, and co-workers?

14

If you answered "yes" to the question above, please explain how you possess this experience to include position title, length of time in position and MAJOR duties.

15

What is your skill level in Google Workplace?

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Expert
• No Knowledge

16

Do you have experience using Accela Civic Platform or similar software for digital review?

• Yes
• No

17

Do you have valid non-commercial Class C motor vehicle operator's license or a valid driver's license from another state?

• Yes
• No

18

Did a county employee refer you? If yes, indicate their name, department and badge/id number. If you weren't referred by an Employee indicate N/A.

• Required Question