Planner III (10079, Grade 28)

Are you an experienced planner with a passion for community engagement and master plans that strive for interconnected, livable communities with a diverse range of housing types and transportation choices? If so, the Montgomery County Planning Department is where you want to be! We are currently seeking a motivated Planner III for our Midcounty Planning Division to lead and contribute to the Division's plans and projects, with a specialty in corridor planning and reaching diverse audiences through community engagement. This is an opportunity to have a broad impact on the built environment, advocate for excellence, and shape future communities that cover the urbanizing communities of Montgomery County.

The Midcounty Planning Division is centrally located in Montgomery County, between developed urban centers south of the beltway, and more rural areas to the north. This central location, along with continued population and economic growth, presents the opportunity to create communities that improve the quality of life, have a sense of place, and balance growth with the infrastructure to support it.

This position requires strong project management skills, effective oral and written communication, ability to work with internal staff team and interagency partners, and experience reaching diverse audiences through community engagement. You will also collaborate with a diverse team including county residents, developers, planners, architects, engineers, attorneys, and public officials. Occasional evening meetings, site visits, and fieldwork within various communities will be required.

As the Planner III, you will lead various master plan initiatives under general direction. You will serve as a project manager of plans and studies, lead a staff team of technical experts, and coordinate the development of planning initiatives among internal staff and agencies. You will draft plans, studies, reports, and presentations to the Planning Board and the County Council. Knowledge and experience in master planning, community engagement, and racial equity are required.

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.

Classification Specification: Planner III

About Us

Montgomery Planning is part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). For over 95 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 countywide 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.

The M-NCPPC offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, generous leave plans, an employee pension plan, and a deferred compensation plan. Positions may qualify for public service student loan forgiveness. Montgomery Planning is conveniently located minutes from Washington, DC in downtown Wheaton, MD next to the Wheaton Metro Station, several bus lines, and bikeshare. A commuter stipend is available. Telework opportunities (up to two days a week) and tuition assistance are also available. We work in one of the first LEED Platinum-certified government-owned office buildings in Maryland.

The salary range listed above represents the earning potential for this position. Salary is commensurate with experience. This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus (external candidates only).

Diversity Statement

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.

May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.

Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act

If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of application at 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1). M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.