Principal Planner II

Frederick County Government • Planning and Permitting Division - Frederick, MD

6d • Onsite

About The Position

This position performs advanced and specialized professional planning work in support of Frederick County’s long-range planning, development review, historic preservation, environmental planning, and community development functions. This classification manages complex planning projects, policy initiatives, regulatory reviews, and technical studies involving comprehensive planning, land use analysis, development applications, public engagement, and implementation of County planning objectives and regulatory requirements. Work includes coordinating with elected officials, boards and commissions, developers, consultants, regulatory agencies, community organizations, and the public to develop planning recommendations, interpret regulations and policies, facilitate public processes, and present technical information related to County planning initiatives and development activities. This classification serves as a lead professional resource for complex planning matters, may coordinate specialized planning programs or major County initiatives, and works under limited supervision from a higher-level planning or management position.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in urban or regional planning, geography, public administration, or a related field
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in urban or regional planning, geography, public administration, or a related field
• Advanced knowledge of applied planning and implementation tools, including those tools appropriate in the regulatory, fiscal, political, and technical environments in the State of Maryland
• Advanced knowledge of larger planning context (federal, state, regional)
• Advanced knowledge of County laws and policies, State laws, State policies & guidance documents relating to land use planning
• Knowledge of land use and planning related laws to help ensure legitimate public decision-making and relevant crafting of regulatory revisions
• Advanced knowledge of County Plans, policies, and regulations and processes
• Advanced skill in technical writing
• Skilled in public speaking
• Skilled in data collection, analysis, and report writing
• Ability to evaluate the implications of various scenarios and decisions related to land use
• Ability to speak to large and small groups in a professional, clear, and calm manner
• Ability to manage staff resources effectively in preparation of reports, studies, data analysis, and background research
• Ability to communicate effectively with advocates and citizens seeking to participate in the local planning process
• Ability to develop a project scope, budget, and timetable, manage staff work tasks, and execute a public outreach effort
• Ability to translate complex concepts related to design, process, and data into visual form to communicate to audiences composed of a wide range of skills and background
• Ability to lead and facilitate the discussion of county planning priorities amongst elected and appointed officials
• Ability to provide own transportation as needed for field visits and other duties
• Available for evening and/or weekend working hours as needed for meetings and programs

Nice To Haves

• Master's Degree in urban or regional planning, geography, public administration, or a related field with 3 years of work experience
• Work experience in transportation planning
• Administrative work experience in grant management or grant writing
• Planning related certifications, licenses or professional associations

Responsibilities

• Manage complex planning projects, development reviews, policy initiatives, technical studies, and implementation activities related to County planning objectives and regulations
• Review and evaluate development applications, subdivision plats, zoning requests, environmental studies, and related planning documents for compliance with County plans, ordinances, and regulatory requirements
• Prepare and present technical reports, policy recommendations, planning studies, graphics, correspondence, and public presentations for elected officials, boards, commissions, and stakeholder groups
• Develop and implement comprehensive plans, area plans, corridor studies, preservation initiatives, functional plans, and related long-range planning documents
• Conduct advanced research and technical analysis related to land use, zoning, transportation, environmental resources, historic preservation, urban design, growth management, and community development trends
• Coordinate public engagement activities, stakeholder outreach efforts, advisory committee meetings, Technical Advisory Committee meetings, and interagency collaboration processes related to planning initiatives
• Interpret and apply County, State, and federal planning laws, regulations, policies, and guidance documents to development review, policy development, and planning recommendations
• Lead or coordinate multidisciplinary planning efforts involving County departments, municipalities, regulatory agencies, consultants, community organizations, and private development interests
• Prepare proposed revisions to zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, planning policies, design standards, and related regulatory documents
• Utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS), mapping applications, databases, graphic design tools, and data visualization software to analyze information and communicate planning concepts
• Conduct field reviews, site inspections, and data collection activities to support development review, environmental analysis, historic preservation, and planning studies
• Provide professional planning assistance and technical guidance to residents, developers, consultants, elected officials, boards, commissions, and other stakeholders regarding planning processes and regulatory requirements
• Develop transportation elements for all components of the County Comprehensive Plan, with emphasis on active transportation and multi-modal accessibility
• Collaborate with stakeholders to monitor, evaluate, and report on progress toward transportation goals, initiatives, and supporting strategies outlined in the Comprehensive Plan
• Coordinate the Annual Transportation Priorities Review, including data collection, project evaluation, and preparation of recommendations for County leadership
• Lead the Toward Zero Deaths Steering Committee, guiding countywide strategies to reduce serious injuries and fatalities on the transportation network
• Maintain the regional travel forecasting model, with consultant support, ensuring demographic, land use, and transportation network inputs remain current and accurate
• Coordinate with transportation agencies at the local, state, and regional levels on transportation projects, programs, and planning initiatives
• Represent the County on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Transportation Planning Board (TPB) Technical Committee and other advisory bodies, including the County Transportation Services Advisory Council
• Analyze and interpret data to support reports and studies related to land use, transportation, housing, and demographic trends
• Deliver presentations to the Planning Commission, County Council, elected officials, community groups, and the general public on transportation planning topics and project updates
• Perform other related duties as required

Benefits

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan)
• Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• Vesting after 5 years of service
• Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Legal Resources
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior