Introduction
The Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) is seeking talented, energetic, and motivated professionals to join its Planning Best Practices Division in support its efforts to advance affordable, equitable, and housing policy throughout the state. This position will also be part of the MDP’s regional planner team, who are assigned to various areas of the state to serve as a local liaison and to support plan development and reviews. Please note that while this position is classified as Administrator IV, it is an urban and regional planning position necessitating significant experience and knowledge of land use, zoning, community development, and housing planning.
Two upcoming statewide planning efforts, updating Maryland’s planning visions and the state development plan, offer exciting opportunities to advance revitalization, regionally tailored development, and the next generation of sustainable growth. This position may initially have regional planning duties for Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties and the municipalities therein; however, the regional planner team works collaboratively and as such jurisdictions may evolve depending on level of activity, local needs and typologies.
The Regional Planning work program presents an unparalleled variety of projects for the proper candidate, including municipal and county community and economic development, best practices and curriculum development, regional coordination, statewide policy review, and comprehensive sustainable growth implementation. This position will also be tasked with leading many of the Department’s housing policy and planning initiatives, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, including those advancing zoning reform and the provision of a fair and affordable housing supply.
Upon the department’s office move, this position will be located at the Department of Planning’s new office in the City of Baltimore at 120 E. Baltimore St. Until that time, the position will be located at 301 W. Preston St. in Baltimore City.
GRADE
19
LOCATION OF POSITION
301 W. Preston Street, Baltimore MD 21201
Main Purpose of Job
The Housing Planning Lead coordinates with the Department’s housing planning initiatives and
programs to advance best practices, educational resources, and legislation addressing Maryland’s housing crisis. Housing is a top priority of the Maryland Department of Planning. This position will be responsible for providing key support in Maryland’s all-of-government approach to increasing housing supply, reducing regulatory barriers, and ensuring the provision of fair and affordable housing to all Marylanders. The education and training duties require coordinating with other Department staff, state agency staff, and other providers of planning education and training in the state.
The Regional Planner aspect of this position will advance best planning practices in assigned
jurisdictions of Maryland. This position will develop and promote sound local planning and
sustainable growth best practices, which are customized to meet the needs of the region and serve as the project manager to conduct the needed research, tool development, and deployment of educational initiatives. The position will review and comment on local plans and provide technical assistance to Maryland jurisdictions to advance best planning practices. Technical assistance includes helping local governments to meet requirements, explaining general provisions of state planning laws, and answering specific technical assistance requests. The regional planner provides review and comment on a variety of planning documents such as comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances and water/sewerage plans, and other local planning documents. This positioncoordinates the state agency required comprehensive plan review and comment activities to influence and guide comprehensive and regional planning, land use, development, economic growth, zoning, land subdivision, agricultural preservation, natural resources protection, revitalization/ redevelopment, sustainable growth, and neighborhood conservation.
POSITION DUTIES
This position’s duties are to engage closely with the Department’s education, training, and housing planning initiatives and programs. These duties require coordinating with Department staff, other state agencies, and providers of planning education and training in the state. This position will serve as the department lead on developing best practices and educational resources to address Maryland’s housing crisis, including complex project management of interdivisional, interdepartmental, and interorganizational teams. This includes expanding upon the Department’s existing housing planning resources; coordinating with partners such as housing related non-profits, institutions of higher learning, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, other state agencies, regional planning organizations, and local governments; researching successful examples of housing planning and implementation within Maryland and throughout the country; and organizing resources, partnerships, research, and Department policy into varied and dynamic educational offerings which local governments and other stakeholders can access to advance their own housing planning initiatives.
Liaison support includes helping local governments meet state and local planning requirements and explaining the general provisions of state planning laws, developing on demand and live educational resources, and responding to specific technical assistance requests.
The regional planner reviews and comments on a variety of planning documents such as comprehensive plans, annexations, water/sewerage plans, Sustainable Communities Action plans, and other local planning documents. This position coordinates the state agency required comprehensive plan review and comment activities to influence and guide comprehensive and regional planning, land use, development, economic growth, zoning, land subdivision, agricultural preservation, natural resources protection, revitalization/redevelopment, sustainable growth, and neighborhood conservation toward addressing Governor Moore’s priorities for the state of Maryland. The position also contributes to MDP’s vision for sustainable growth to ensure Maryland achieves economic prosperity for all through the development of plans, policies, and places that have embraced diversity, treasured all shared heritages, and upheld human well-being and ecological regeneration as paramount.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
Experience: Six years of administrative staff or professional work.
Notes:
1. Candidates may substitute 30 credit hours from an accredited college or university for each year up to four years of the required experience.
2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and two years of experience in administrative staff or professional work for the required experience.
3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university for five years of the required experience.
4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer involving staff work related to the administration of rules, regulations, policy, procedures and processes, or overseeing or coordinating unit operations or functioning as a staff assistant to a higher ranking commissioned officer on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Our preferred candidate will have:
- Three years of experience working in local government and/or providing planning and related technical assistance to government and non-government organizations. Ideally, this experience should include a variety of issues, including long range and current planning, zoning and subdivision review, and community engagement.
- Three years of experience planning for affordable and/or workforce housing, fair housing requirements, or zoning reform in support of increasing housing supply.
- Three years of experience working with the State of Maryland Planning initiatives and programs and how they can be applied to develop a stronger regional economy and local capacity, as well as experience with Maryland land use statutory requirements.
- Three years of experience making public presentations and representing a department or organization on committees and other representative bodies.
- Three years of experience managing and executing complex planning and community development projects that involve multiple stakeholders, sometimes competing interests, and the development of new communication channels.
-Three years of experience working with office productivity software, GIS, site design and visualization tools such as Sketch Up, Photoshop or similar.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.
SELECTION PROCESS
Applicants who meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education, training and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all related education, experience, dates and hours of work. Clearly indicate your college degree and major on your application, if applicable.
For education obtained outside the U.S., any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an evaluation for equivalency by a foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview).
Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added.
Incorrect application forms will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
Candidates may remain on the certified eligible list for a period of at least one year. The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training and experience related to the requirements of
the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report
all experience and education that is related to this position.
BENEFITS
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
The on-line application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you are not able to apply online,
you may submit a paper application and supplemental questionnaire (by the closing date) to:
Department of Budget and Management
Recruitment and Examination Division
301 W. Preston St., Suite 608
Baltimore, MD 21201
Attn: For inquiries regarding this recruitment, please call 410 767-7950.
Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the on-line or paper application. As an equal
opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who
are reflective of the State’s diversity.
Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by
calling 410-767-3623.
We thank our Veterans for their service to our country and encourage them to apply.
Bilingual applicants are also encouraged to apply.
TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay
