Description

We are currently seeking a Park Planner III/IV to join the Long-Range Planning Section in our Park Planning and Stewardship Division as the Montgomery Parks Development Review Coordinator. Reporting directly to the Long-Range Planning Supervisor, the Development Review Coordinator will coordinate and lead Montgomery Parks’ involvement in the development application process from pre-submission meetings through final delivery and conveyance of new parkland and amenities. The Long-Range Planning Section tracks what we have and where we have it so that we can understand what we need and where we need it in the Montgomery Parks system. The work of the section includes managing Montgomery Parks’ development review process, planning for new parks and amenities, collecting and analyzing data, preparing maps and other data visualizations, and working closely with planners at the Montgomery County Planning Department to create the park and open space recommendations in community sector and master plans. We are looking for candidates with general planning skills, strong written and oral communication skills, and experience with the Montgomery County development process.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is a six-time National Recreational and Parks Association Gold Medal Award Winner. Behind the vast and diverse Montgomery Parks system is a career staff complement of nearly 800 employees, 419 parks, and over 37,000 acres of parkland that serves a diverse population of more than one million residents in the Washington, DC area. Montgomery Parks strives to plan, develop, and maintain parks that support physical activity, social connections, and environmental stewardship in our diverse urban, suburban, and rural areas. You can learn more about Montgomery Parks at MontgomeryParks.org and the development review process at montgomeryplanning.org/development.

What the job will involve: The Development Review Coordinator will coordinate and lead Montgomery Parks’ involvement in the development application process and will serve as an internal expert on the development process. This includes representing Montgomery Parks on the Development Review Committee and coordinating with other agencies and development applicants. The Development Review Coordinator will work closely with regulatory staff across the Planning Department and with staff throughout the Parks Department.  

The role involves negotiating with developers and other departments, presenting and defending park recommendations and conditions to the Montgomery County Planning Board, soliciting input from the public in formal and informal settings, and understanding emerging and future challenges and opportunities for park systems.

This position requires experience in project leadership and the ability to work well with team members with a diverse set of backgrounds and expertise. Candidates should be capable of effectively communicating with county residents, developers, planners, architects, engineers, attorneys, maintenance workers, scientists, and public officials and demonstrate strong writing skills. Fieldwork and occasional evening and weekend meetings are required.

Examples of Important Duties

• Represents Montgomery Parks on the Development Review Committee. 
• Reviews and analyzes development (Mandatory Referrals, Preliminary Plans, Site Plans, etc.) applications to ensure that park needs are met while minimizing park impacts.
• Works with Parks and Planning Department staff and negotiates with developers to achieve the best possible outcomes for parks and the community from proposed development projects. 
• Presents and defends park planning recommendations to the Planning Board.
• Participates in or leads community meetings. 
• Creates visually compelling presentations for the public, the Planning Board, and other audiences.
• Provides written content for plans, staff reports, community master plans, and Planning Board resolutions including conditions of approval. 

The successful Development Review Coordinator should have the ability to: 

• Handle complex and often controversial situations. 
• Balance multiple deadlines and projects. 
• Effectively identify problems and be resourceful and creative in developing solutions, requesting the assistance or input of others as appropriate. 
• Adapt and learn new approaches, processes, and technologies.  

Important Skills: 

• Strong project management skills and the ability to coordinate teams and deliver work product on deadline. 
• Research – especially within the Montgomery County Land Records and community master plans. 
• Creating maps and other explanatory graphics. 
• Making recommendations 
• Proficiency reading technical design plans
• Proficiency using the ESRI suite of GIS platforms and software and Microsoft Productivity software including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Planning, Public Administration, Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Engineering, Geography, Parks and Recreation, Environmental Science or Management, Business Administration, or a related field. 
• Professional planning or landscape architecture certification such as: Certified Planner (AICP/APA), Professional Landscape Architect (PLA/ASLA), Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU-A) 

One or more of the following: 

• Experience with ePlans. 
• Experience appearing before the Planning Board or similar bodies. 
• Experience with the Montgomery County development review process. 
• Familiarity with the Montgomery County Code, Zoning Ordinance, and various Master Plans, as well as Thrive Montgomery 2050 and the 2022 Montgomery County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan.

Minimum Qualifications

Planner III

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Geography, Architecture, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field. 
2. Four (4) years of progressively responsible professional level planning experience related to specific area of assignment such as transportation planning, environmental planning or urban planning.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total eight (8) years.
4. Valid driver’s license (depending on area of assignment) in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations.  Driver’s license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee’s ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.

Planner IV

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Geography, Architecture, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field. 
2. Six (6) years of progressively responsible professional level planning experience that includes project consultation and coordination.  
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total ten (10) years.
4. Valid driver’s license (depending on area of assignment) in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations.  Driver’s license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee’s ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.