Planner II 15241 Grade 24

Summary

Would you like to have an impact on the built environment and the quality of life of residents in an urbanizing county adjacent to our nation’s capital? Do you want to help shape our communities of tomorrow? If so, the Prince George’s County Planning Department of The Maryland National-Capital Park and Planning Commission is seeking three Planner IIs to join our Community Planning Division.

The Department provides land use planning for the physical development of Prince George’s County, Maryland, and the Division is responsible for developing and implementing community plans, neighborhood revitalization programs, and assisting with implementation programs. As the second most populous county in Maryland, Prince George’s has a population of approximately 950,000 residents with 15 Metro Rail Stations and is home to the University of Maryland at College Park, National Harbor, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and a world class parks and recreation system.

Qualified applicants for these positions will have enthusiasm for community planning and outreach; outstanding analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills; proven research skills; and familiarity with comprehensive planning, demographic analysis, transit-oriented development, housing, growth management, transportation planning, community engagement, and economic development

The primary role for these positions includes participation in an interdisciplinary project team working on various projects like area master plans, sector plans, plan amendments, sectional map amendments, specialized studies, short-term focused plans, and/or developing scopes of work. The individuals hired for these positions will primarily focus on long‑term land use and zoning issues for small areas throughout the County. They will also have the opportunity to explore additional planning topics within the scope of each plan or study, including housing, the natural environment, transportation and mobility, public health, healthy food access, public facilities, parks and recreation, urban design, community and cultural heritage, equity, community resilience, and economic development.

The Planner II performs the following major duties and responsibilities:

• Frequently serves as deputy project manager on community planning projects, including production of small area/community plans, sectional map amendments, and/or planning studies, programs, and initiatives.
• Assists project managers in oversight of and coordination with consultants.
• Conducts planning studies in support of the planning process.
• Conducts research, data collection, analysis, and writing support on complex planning issues for master plans, sector plans, and other land use planning and zoning initiatives; draws conclusions from research and analysis performed and is able to identify emerging trends, assess significance and impact, determine relevancy, and make reasonable recommendations based on the same.
• Performs technical review and analysis of planning documents and is able to convey technical expertise and comments clearly both orally and in writing.
• Regularly prepares and makes presentations to a variety of individuals and groups (e.g., Planning Board, County Council, community, business developers) for the purpose of communicating planning issues, procedures, and recommendations, and comfortably and confidently responds to questions.

• Assists in developing land use policy and regulations, and in implementing and interpreting the zoning code.

• Leads, advocates, and negotiates for better development projects in line with area plan recommendations.
• Writes and develops clear, concise, and quality planning reports, correspondence, plans, and other materials.

• Ensures the development and design of clear and concise presentations, charts, graphs, maps, data, and other materials, as appropriate.

The ideal candidates will be highly organized, have strong analytical and critical thinking skills, possess outstanding communication skills, and be proactive. In addition, they must be independently engaged in the work program and highly dependable.