Small Business Navigator

Frederick County Government•30 North Market Street - Frederick, MD

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Small Business Navigator serves as the lead coordinator and project manager for the Division of Planning and Permitting. The position oversees planning, development review, zoning, permitting, and inspection processes for small businesses, homeowners, and other applicants, helping expedite Division processes and resolve issues for complex capital improvement projects, Frederick County Public Schools projects, and other county-priority initiatives. The role provides technical and procedural oversight from initial planning through occupancy, ensures regulatory compliance, and leads workflow improvements that reduce barriers and enhance service delivery. The position supports strategic initiatives of the County Executive and County Administration by resolving high-level issues, advising leadership on regulatory or policy changes, and coordinating with municipalities and agency partners. It provides direction to staff and receives supervision from the Deputy Division Director of Planning and Permitting. The position is exempt, full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with full benefits. A partial teleworking schedule may be available in accordance with Division policies. The role may require varied working hours, including evenings, for scheduled meetings, workshops, and other departmental priorities, as well as travel to various sites using a car or other reliable transportation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in planning, civil engineering, construction management, public administration, or a related field, with at least 6 years of experience in planning, zoning, land use, construction codes, or a closely related field.
Education and experience substitutions: Associate’s degree with 8 years of experience, or Master’s degree with 4 years of experience.
Advanced knowledge of government agencies involved in development review and planning, including site planning, subdivision, and land-use planning.
Advanced knowledge of the construction industry, applicant submission requirements, building and zoning codes, and basic engineering principles.
Advanced knowledge of permitting types and the lifecycle of planning, development review, permitting, inspection, and occupancy processes.
Advanced knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and codes governing planning, zoning, development, and construction, including Frederick County permitting processes and workflows.
Advanced knowledge of project management principles, process improvement methodologies, and workflow analysis; intermediate knowledge of construction practices and terminology.
Ability to exercise technical judgment in planning and permitting processes.
Strong written and spoken communication skills, including preparing and presenting clear, concise information to leadership, elected officials, and the public.
Customer-service skills, including handling sensitive, confidential, and complex inquiries and communicating with people with varying levels of understanding of planning and permitting requirements.
Skills in evaluating processes for inefficiencies, conflicts, and improvement opportunities, and in data analysis, tracking, reporting, and presenting findings.
Ability to independently resolve complaints and respond to inquiries by email, phone, or in person.
Ability to use Microsoft 365, project review and project management tools, permitting software, and related application processing systems.
Ability to facilitate communication and collaboration among public-sector agencies, municipal partners, and internal workgroups.
Ability to work with department and division leadership to improve service delivery through revised procedures and protocols.
Ability to manage complex, multi-phase projects through pre-application, review, construction, and completion while managing multiple assignments simultaneously.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, developers, business owners, government agencies, municipalities, and members of the public.
Ability to arrange and complete travel to various sites using a car or other reliable transportation.
Ability to work varied hours, which may include evening hours, for scheduled meetings, workshops, and other departmental priorities.
Physical requirements: consistently sit and rarely lift up to 20 pounds; consistently work indoors.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with a municipal or county government.
Work experience applying planning and permitting policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage complex projects, including capital improvement, FCPS, and county-priority initiatives, from planning and design through construction and occupancy.
Support projects in moving through planning, permitting, and construction processes in an expedited manner.
Oversee division processes across planning, development review, permitting, and inspections, coordinating workgroups and partner agencies.
Serve as the principal coordinator for small businesses, homeowners, and applicants, guiding communication and navigation through planning and permitting processes.
Represent the Division in high-level interactions with senior managers, directors, department heads, municipalities, and elected officials.
Carry out County Executive and County Administration initiatives by eliminating barriers, improving programs, and providing high-visibility support.
Advise County leadership, the County Council, directors, and lead agencies on actions needed to help small businesses comply with planning and permitting requirements.
Lead conflict resolution and cross-agency problem-solving for complex permitting, development, and inspection challenges.
Analyze division operations, identify bottlenecks, and lead workflow improvements and policy changes that enhance efficiency and reduce barriers.
Provide direction and guidance to staff across development review, zoning, permitting, engineering, inspections, and communications.
Manage business inquiries and project assignments through pre-application, review, permitting, inspection, and completion phases.
Oversee applicant assistance by reviewing complex issues, conducting research, making recommendations, and resolving permitting or application conflicts.
Lead stakeholder engagement with the Office of Economic Development and represent the Division in briefings, presentations, workshops, and outreach to business and community groups.
Develop, implement, and improve standard operating procedures for small business interactions, client communications, and project workflow.
Develop handouts and informational bulletins explaining review and approval processes.
Investigate and resolve challenges applicants face in planning, zoning, permitting, and approval processes, coordinating with other agencies on their behalf.
Maintain and update applicant support systems, including databases, metrics, reports, and annual summaries for leadership and elected officials.
Participate in pre-application meetings with business owners, contractors, and review agencies.
Assist staff in responding to applicant and stakeholder emails and calls.
Coordinate with the Office of Economic Development and Division communications staff to develop and update public-facing regulatory resources.
Conduct site visits and field assessments with small business owners to evaluate project conditions, resolve issues, and check alignment with regulatory requirements.
Perform other related duties as required.

Benefits

11 days of vacation leave, increasing after 2 years of employment.
15 days of sick leave with unlimited annual carryover.
11 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays.
Day 1 coverage of comprehensive medical insurance options, including a County Health Savings Account contribution for employees enrolled in the high-deductible plan.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Flexible Spending Account.
Employee Health Center with no- or low-cost primary and urgent care.
County-paid group term life insurance equal to 2 times annual salary and Accidental Death & Dismemberment benefit.
County and employee-funded defined benefit pension plan, with vesting after 5 years of service.
Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, and other qualifying service.
Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program.
Tuition reimbursement program.
Optional employee-paid Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, and Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan.