Virginia Tech School of Public and International Affairs

ANNOUNCEMENT: 06448

SALARY: $28.55 - $50.98 Hourly | $59,384.00 - $106,028.00 Annually

OPENING DATE: 04/06/22

CLOSING DATE: 05/06/22 11:59 PM

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

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

The Development Division is responsible for the review and approval of all commercial and residential subdivisions, site development applications, and permits associated with subdivision and site development applications, for compliance with adequacy of public facilities, parking, subdivision, zoning, town center and landscape ordinances, along with Federal, State and local environmental regulations. The Development Division is also responsible for enforcement of all environmental regulations, which includes but is not limited to, forest conservation, critical area, bogs, wetlands, streams, and steep slopes during the plan review processes. Additionally, the Development Division is responsible for providing comments to the Zoning Division on most variance and special exception applications.

This is responsible and moderately complex professional work in the field of planning which includes current building and zoning, long range planning and development, new subdivisions, proposed land use, land preservation, economic conditions, transportation, critical areas(wetlands, flood plain, coastal zone management, etc.), and zoning (reclassifications, exceptions, variances, waivers, etc.) laws, regulations and ordinances as they affect growth and development within the County (building, development and infrastructure).

A Planner II will be expected to independently complete routine planning assignments, including written memos and letters, which are reviewed by the Planning Administrator for technical soundness and conformity to current regulations. This work involves frequent contact with the general public, property owners, contractors, engineers, attorneys, environmental consultants and other State and County agencies. This chosen candidate must have a strong environmental background, strong written and oral communication skills, and as necessary, the ability to present before boards, community groups and elected officials.

The Development Division consists of four (4) review teams: (1) The Critical Area Team is responsible for the review of residential and commercial development applications (building and grading permits, standard grading plans, subdivision, and site development plans) within the Critical Area and the Bog Protection Areas; review of all waterfront applications for compliance with County waterfront regulations (location, air, light and view); review and approval of bulkhead and shoreline protection applications; review and approval of pier permit applications; and

Critical Area review of zoning applications. (2) The Residential Team is responsible for the review of residential site development plans and subdivisions; institutional, capital facilities and planned unit developments; grading and building permits; and zoning variance and special exception applications. (3) The Regional Team is responsible for the review of commercial, industrial, residential, mixed use, and town center site development, subdivision and permit applications. (4) The Transportation Team is responsible for the review of transportation impacts associated with development and addressing transportation issues, including code amendments, design manual updates, and the implementation of bicycle/pedestrian transit improvements.

NATURE AND VARIETY OF WORK

An employee in this class is fully proficient in performing a wide variety of planning functions which require application and interpretation of complex building and zoning Codes both residential and commercial. Employees must exercise considerable judgment in carrying out assignments which are broad and varied in scope and in nature.

Many planning activities involve projects of a long-term nature such as new subdivisions, commercial sites, shopping centers, small area development plans and transportation issues which are 5 to 10 years or more from conception to implementation.

Assignments include studies, collection of data, and analysis to be used for written, graphic and oral presentations in both small and large forums of a diversity of individuals who may have divergent views. These studies result in current and future growth and development of County property, land use, and highways. Development within the County includes both residential and commercial aspects.

Planner II represents the journey level which progresses to assignments which are moderately complex and being performed with greater independence, less supervision and direction, and requiring guidance from Lead or Senior Planners as necessary.

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.)

• Assists in the preparation of graphic materials concerned with planning problems and elements of the comprehensive County plan.
• Assembles information and provides assistance to governmental agencies and individual citizens on matters relating to property use regulations and other functions of planning.
• Conducts or participates in special studies of land use, land economics, and other factors.
• Performs research, planning, and technical analysis for complex planning projects; conductslong range planning studies in such areas as water quality, sign control, community facilities, coastal zone management, environmental protection, and land preservation; collects, tabulates, analyzes, and represents County agencies in attempts to assure consistency in regulations and policies among contiguous jurisdictions; analyzes existing laws and legal provisions offered as models or reflective of experience of other jurisdictions; drafts revisions of laws and regulations.
• Reviews and processes residential, commercial and industrial subdivision and site development plans for compliance with regulations and policies; reviews, processes, and approves requests for waivers of subdivision regulations; modifies developers' plans or suggests revised plan elements to assist developers in project design; holds pre-application conferences and provides guidance pertaining to revised plan elements to assist developer in project design; holds preapplication meetings.
• 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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of planning, zoning, subdivision, and land use.
• Considerable knowledge of principles and techniques of socio-economic research.
• Considerable knowledge of research methods used in the collection, evaluation, and presentation of planning data.
• Considerable knowledge of the literature of the field and of technical resources relevant to planning and related fields.
• Considerable skill in planning, organizing, and conducting planning and related studies.
• Considerable skill in preparing and presenting findings and recommendations effectively, both oral and written.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, 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, Geography, Geology, Public Administration, Public Policy Analysis, Geospatial Analysis, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, Land Use Planning, Urban Design, Master Development Planning, Environmental Science, Climate Change, Sustainability or a closely related field; two (2) 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:

Preferences will be given to applicants with the following:

1. Two (2) or more years of experience in subdivision, site development plan, and permit review/preparation, including: applying zoning, subdivision, landscape, Maryland Forest Conservation Act, Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, wetland, and other environmental regulations.

2.) The ability to read and interpret subdivision, architectural , construction, permit, and environmental plans; and familiarity with legal documents such as deeds, easements, and agreements.

Anne Arundel County is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other status protected by federal, state, or county law.