Virginia Tech School of Public and International Affairs

ANNOUNCEMENT: 06537

SALARY: $24.62 - $41.84 Hourly | $51,210.00 - $87,023.00 Annually

OPENING DATE: 04/20/22

CLOSING DATE: 05/20/22 11:59 PM

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

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

The Regional Team is responsible for the project management and review of commercial, industrial, residential, mixed use, and town center subdivision, site development and permit applications. The Planner I is an entry level professional position with responsibilities that include performing or assisting in the review, evaluation, and processing of subdivision, development, building permit, and grading permit applications for compliance with the Adequacy of Public Facilities, Subdivision, Site Development, Zoning, Town Center and Landscape ordinances ,along with Federal, State and local environmental regulations, which include but are not limited to, Forest Conservation, Non-tidal Wetland, Stream, Floodplain, and Steep Slopes. A Planner I 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. The work involves frequent contact with the general public, property owners, contractors, engineers, attorneys, environmental consultants and other State and County agencies. This work requires strong written and oral communication skills, and as necessary, the ability to present before boards, community groups and elected officials.

NATURE AND VARIETY OF WORK

An employee in this class performs a wide variety of planning functions which require application and interpretation of standardized tasks relating to a portion of a study or project such as complex building and zoning Codes both residential and commercial, long range planning and development, new subdivisions, proposed lane 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).Employees carry out routine planning assignments independently and completed work is reviewed by the supervisor or a higher level planner for technical soundness and conformity to assigned project requirements. 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.

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 with gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data relating to local social, economic, population, housing, industrial development, zoning, and land uses; prepares written reports on various planning matters; reviews and analyzes legislative provisions; prepares revised drafts of laws or regulations.
• Assists in conducting special studies of land use, land economics; developing and coordinating development plans, e.g., open space, parks and recreation facilities, shopping centers, office complexes, etc. 
• 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. 
• Assists with research, planning, and technical analysis for complex planning projects; conducting long 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. 
• Assists with residential reviews and processes, commercial and industrial subdivision plans for compliance with regulations and policies; reviews, processes, and approves requests for waivers of subdivision regulations; reviews applications for special permits and licenses. 
• Assists with modification of developers' plans or suggests revised plan elements to assist developers in project design; holds pre-application conferences and provides guidelines. 
• Assists with review and development of recommended departmental position on zoning reclassifications, exceptions, variances, zoning enforcement, and draft of administrative decisions. 
• Assists in the formulation of planning or zoning policy and provides information on planning matters and regulations to the public.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of planning, zoning, subdivision, and land use. 
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of socio-economic research. Knowledge of research methods used in the collection, evaluation, and presentation of planning data. 
• Knowledge of the literature of the field and of technical resources relevant to planning and related fields. 
• Skill in planning, organizing, and conducting planning and related studies. 
• 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 or a closely related field; one (1) 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

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.