State of Maryland

A Planner III is the full performance level of work in the field of land use, environmental, community development or transportation planning.  Employees in this classification conduct research and prepare analyses, studies or background reports on issues regarding growth and demographic trends and projections and best practices on state, regional and local plans.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a higher-level Planner.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology. The use of this method involves comparing assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria defined in the Nature of Work and Example of Work sections of the class specification.

The Planner I, Planner II and Planner III are differentiated on the basis of degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Planner I learns to perform duties under close supervision.  The Planner II performs duties under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed.  The Planner III performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.  The Planner III is differentiated from the Planner Lead/Advanced in that the Planner Advanced performs the advanced level of work and serves as the sole Planner on a multi-discipline team while the Planner Lead assigns, reviews and approves the work of and trains lower-level Planners. 

Prepares and researches various phases of planning projects related to the development and use of land, water, transportation, community or natural resources by obtaining and analyzing information concerning demographic, socio-economic, political, cultural, geographic and land-use trends;

Advises local, regional and State agencies concerned with community development on various aspects of planning and the requirements for qualifying for federal planning assistance programs;

Assists communities in the preparation and submission of technical documents for planning assistance programs under federal, urban, regional, or State development and planning programs;

Conducts studies on land use, demographics, water, urban renewal, or transportation and assists in preparing comprehensive plans based on such studies;

Conducts meetings with public officials, local, regional and State planning commissions, civic groups, community agencies, associations and the general public to assist in providing advice and technical assistance in the development, review and administration of growth plans and urban renewal;

Consults and corresponds with various community agencies in order to stimulate the initiation or promotion of planning and development programs;

Plans and prepares books, manuals, charts, maps or pamphlets for publication and distribution to interested individuals and persons concerned with planning and the utilization of community resources;

Collects, creates, edits, maintains, analyses, distributes and plot GIS data and performs mapping and data analysis tasks including producing graphic and tabular data;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the principles, practices, procedures and objectives of local, regional, federal, State and transportation planning programs and for compiling various planning data;

Knowledge of the social and economic objectives of planning and land-use, in relation to natural resources, community resources and transportation resources;

Knowledge of subdivision plans, zoning maps and related documents;

Knowledge in conducting mapping research and maintaining and updating databases using GIS computer aided drafting and other software;

Skill in producing, collecting and analyzing research data;

Ability to perform research and to exercise independent judgment and initiative in research projects relating to growth planning;

Ability to perform complex statistical and economic research;

Ability to prepare and present clear and concise reports;

Ability to work independently on moderately complex projects;

Ability to plan and make sound recommendations;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, community representatives and the general public.

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university that includes 30 credit hours in Planning, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Architecture, Public Administration, Engineering, Geography, Landscape Architecture, Economics, Public Finance, Political Science, Sociology, Regional Science, Information Technology or Urban Affairs.

Experience: Two years of experience in research and planning projects related to the development and use of land, water, transportation, community or natural resources by assisting in obtaining, analyzing and conducting research on demographic, socio-economic, political, cultural, geographic or land-use trends.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the specified educational fields for one year of the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of an additional Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the specified educational fields for an additional year of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in one of the specified educational fields for the required experience.

4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Logistics, Urban Planning, Architect, Geospatial Intelligence Analyst or Cryptologic classifications; or Logistics, Urban Planning or Architect specialty codes in the Architect field of work, on a year-for-year basis, for the required experience and education.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit G- Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance level in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class, as defined by the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.