Planner II

Salary: $57,462.00 - $65,733.00 Annually
Location : Towson, MD
Job Type: MERIT
Job Number: 02.-25
Department: PLANNING
Opening Date: 04/08/2025
Closing Date: Continuous

This job announcement may close at any time with little or no notice. Applicants are advised to apply promptly.

A vacancy exists in the Department of Planning on the Implementation Team in the Administrative Division.

Pay Schedule I, Grade 29, Regular Schedule: 35 hours per week.
About the Department of Planning
The Department of Planning is dedicated to implementing programs and projects that strengthen existing communities, revitalize older commercial centers, and preserve rural resources. Join our committed team and positively impact the future of Baltimore County.

As part of the Implementation Team in the Administrative Division, you will actively engage with various stakeholders and constituents on planning-related projects and initiatives including creating plans and coordinating the implementation of plans and projects under the mentorship of the senior planner. Working alongside the Community Planning Division, Development Review Division, and the Research, Analysis and Design Division, the Implementation Team in the Administrative Division focuses on marshalling and managing resources that support project implementation. These resources include organizational development training and technical assistance that strengthen community-based partner organizations, synthesizing data and community input into revitalization strategies, and identifying, soliciting, and managing grant and other funding sources that make project implementation possible.

Definition of Responsibility
Join us in strengthening Baltimore County's communities. As a Planner II with the Department of Planning's Implementation Team in the Administrative Division, you will play a vital role in building and maintaining a thriving Baltimore County. We are seeking candidates who can leverage their experience, education, and technical knowledge to excel in this position.
Be a part of a great team dedicated to positively impacting the future of Baltimore County. Your role as a Planner II will be integral to fostering sustainable, vibrant communities by working with community stakeholders to distill broader community visions into targeted revitalization strategies with specific interventions through projects and programs that come to fruition with your oversight and guidance. If you have the desire to create meaningful change, we invite you to join our mission.

A list of eligible applicants will be established based on the examination as outlined below.

Current and future vacancies occurring within this class may be filled from the list of eligible applicants.

All interested transfer and promotional candidates must apply at this time.

List all promotions and changes in job duties due to reclassification as separate work experience on your application. Applicants must include the dates of the promotions and reclassifications.

Note: Failure to complete all fields of the "Work Experience" section of the application will result in your application not being considered. A resume will not be considered in determining your qualifications for a position. Applicants selected for an interview may provide a resume at that time.

You must attach your transcript(s), and/or degree(s), professional licenses and/or certification(s) to your application. Unofficial copies are acceptable.

Failure to submit proof of professional Licenses, Certifications and Education will result in your application not being considered. Proof of professional licenses, certifications, and/or education must be submitted with each application.

Examples of Duties

Job Purpose
Performs professional planning work shaping Baltimore County's future. As a key member of the Implementation Team in the Administrative Division in the Department of Planning, under the supervision of the senior planner, you will support initiatives that enhance community development, foster sustainable growth, and improve the quality of life for our residents.

Essential Job Duties

Community Engagement & Outreach
Collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, community organizations, advocacy groups, and the public to seek input, gather feedback, and engage in meaningful dialogue to ensure that revitalization strategies and initiatives reflect diverse perspectives and consider various stakeholders' interests.

• Address questions and potential concerns from diverse constituents to assist with problem-solving, make resource referrals, and make connections to how plans are implemented.
• Build relationships with community members, organizations, and government officials.
• Conduct and participate in meetings with community groups, representatives of other County and governmental agencies, and others regarding organizational capacity, revitalization strategies, project implementation, grant funding, and other planning, zoning, and development issues as these impact implementations.

Project Management and Grants Administration

Manage projects that support plan implementation including administration of grants to community-based partner organizations, coordinating with other County and State agencies, monitoring performance by contractors and grantees, and documenting completed projects.

• Develop project scopes, timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
• Promote grant opportunities and evaluate grant applications to Planning from community-based organizations for funds that support plan implementation.
• Develop reporting frameworks for utilization including metrics tracking.
• Monitor grantee compliance, reporting, and financial tracking to ensure proper use of funds.
• Prepare reports and presentations on project progress, financials, and key performance indicators.

Plan Creation and Utilization
Assist in creating targeted revitalization plans that connect with Comprehensive Plans, Small Area Plans, and State Sustainable Community Plans.

• Work with stakeholders to establish incremental goals and timelines for revitalization strategies to support capacity building and successful project implementation.
• Identify metrics for defining and evaluating the success of revitalization plans and projects.
• Assist in the development, modification, and administration of revitalization plans and how they support implementation of the master plan, community plans, and other planning policies, legislation, and guidelines affecting zoning and land use.
• Collaborate with the Research, Analysis and Design division to gather and analyze data from various software platforms, including GIS, Adobe, and other specialized tools, to assess and evaluate conditions and inform plan implementation decisions.

Examples of Other Duties

• Identify and apply for funding opportunities that support implementation of community plans.
• Provide comments or supporting documentation to the Planning Board and/or County Council on plan implementation-related matters.
• Prepare presentations and present information to various stakeholders regarding available implementation resources and progress on plan implementation efforts.
• Research and develop policy recommendations to advocate for policy changes that support sustainable and equitable development.
• Review existing legislation and propose changes or new laws to address emerging issues or to align with evolving needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

NOTE: The duties and responsibilities listed above are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications for all positions in this class. They may not include all of the essential job functions of each position in the class. Each position may not be required to perform all of the essential job functions listed.
Qualifications

Training and Experience
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree in planning or a related field , plus one-year professional planning, zoning, development or land use experience.

Related Fields such as: architecture, business administration, civil engineering, landscape architecture, law, public administration, and social sciences (e.g., economics, geography, political science, sociology, urban and/or regional affairs or studies, etc.)

OR

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, plus three years' professional planning, zoning, development or land use experience.

(Additional planning education beyond a bachelor's degree may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required experience. Additional professional and/or paraprofessional planning, zoning, development or land use experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of four years for the required education.)

Preferred Experience: Experience working with local government, community development, project and grants management, and/or land use planning is a plus.

Required Knowledge, Experience and Abilities

Community Development and Planning Knowledge

Experience in urban planning, community development, project management, or a related field. Understanding of the community planning process . click apply for full job details