Job Description

Posting number: 10807

Department: MC Planning

Job classification: Planner IV

Posting type: Open

Categories: Administration, Environmental Services, Planning and Development, Land Use, Parks, Community Development, Project Management

Summary

Are you an experienced environmental planner who wants to help shape a more resilient future for Montgomery County? The Montgomery County Planning Department is seeking an innovative and dynamic Environmental Planner IV to join the Environment and Climate Division. This is an exciting opportunity to serve as a department-wide expert, lead multifaceted master planning and environmental initiatives, develop and advance climate resilience strategies, and bring environmental and climate data into planning decisions that will influence communities across the County. The ideal candidate brings expert-level climate resilience planning experience, experience working with climate and environmental data, experience planning for communities and working with a variety of stakeholders, and excellent communication and writing skills.

This position is ideal for someone who thrives in collaborative, interdisciplinary work and can engage effectively with county residents, developers, planners, architects, engineers, attorneys, and public officials. Fieldwork and occasional evening or weekend meetings and community engagement events are required.

As part of the Environment and Climate Division, you will help shape the built environment while protecting natural resources and advancing environmental sustainability and climate resilience in Montgomery County. You will contribute to master plans, environmental analyses, and development review work that support informed decision-making and long-term community outcomes.

Examples of duties

• Serve as a department-wide expert on climate resilience, environmental planning, and related natural resource issues, providing guidance to staff, leadership, partner agencies, and decision-makers.
• Manage the department’s climate initiatives including the Climate Resilience Functional Master Plan, Planning’s responsibilities under the Climate Action Plan, Climate Assessments of Zoning Text Amendments and Master Plans, Department-wide sustainability efforts, conducting an area climate vulnerability study, and tracking and collection of climate data.
• Apply expert knowledge of climate, environmental, and natural resource data to Montgomery County; lead multifaceted master plans, studies, environmental analyses, and other complex or high-profile initiatives; conduct intensive research and analysis; and develop sound policies and recommendations.
• Integrate environmental goals and climate considerations into planning decisions that shape growth, development, public facilities, parklands, long-term community outcomes, and overall resiliency.
• Oversee or lead project teams and coordinate department staff, county agencies, community groups, and private-sector consultants to advance departmental objectives.
• Represent the Department with external climate groups, inter-agency climate committees, and County and Statewide climate initiatives.
• Prepare, present, and defend planning reports, plans, recommendations, and policy positions before the Planning Board, County Council, Commission, District Council, Zoning Hearing Examiner, community groups, business interests, and other stakeholders.
• Review and analyze complex projects, legislative proposals, department initiatives, and related planning matters through an environmental and climate lens.

As the Environmental Planner IV, you will work autonomously as a recognized department-wide expert in climate planning. You will lead or oversee multifaceted projects and studies, guide project teams, and bring expert judgment to complex, contentious, and politically sensitive environmental and climate issues. You will represent and defend the Department’s analyses and recommendations before decision-makers and stakeholders while helping other staff deliver high-quality work.

Qualifications

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.

In addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will demonstrate knowledge of and experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Supplemental information

Class Specification: Planner IV

May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.

Applicants called for an interview should be prepared to provide a portfolio or work examples that demonstrate expert-level environmental planning, leadership of complex or multifaceted master planning initiatives, climate resilience work, use of climate or environmental data, resolution of challenging planning issues, and strong written and verbal communication before technical, community, and decision-making audiences.

About Us

Montgomery Planning is part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a nationally recognized planning agency serving a culturally diverse population of more than one million people in Montgomery County on the border of Washington, D.C. For nearly 100 years, M-NCPPC has built a reputation for excellence in long-range planning, development review, and innovation in areas such as agricultural preservation, natural resource protection, inclusionary housing, and transit-oriented design. To learn more about who we are and what we do, we encourage you to watch this brief video here and visit our website at www.montgomeryplanning.org

The M-NCPPC offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, generous leave plans, an employee pension plan, and a deferred compensation plan. Positions may qualify for public service student loan forgiveness. Montgomery Planning is conveniently located minutes from Washington, DC in downtown Wheaton, MD next to the Wheaton Metro Station, several bus lines, and bikeshare. A commuter stipend is available. Telework opportunities (up to two days a week) and tuition assistance are also available. We work in one of the first LEED Platinum-certified government-owned office buildings in Maryland.

The salary range listed above represents the earning potential for this position. Salary is commensurate with experience. This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus (external candidates only).

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.

Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of application at 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1).

M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.