Planning Supervisor - Planning & Zoning - Public Service & Zoning Administration

Job Posting

The Howard County Government is currently seeking candidates for a position within the Planning & Zoning department. The salary range for this position is $75,903 - $102,386 annually. The location for this position is in MD 21043, MD.

The position summary for this role is as follows:

Howard County is conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, offering the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community. Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, best practices, and sustainability. It is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2024, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 63 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) - the most awards in the state of Maryland, and the fifth highest in the nation, as compared to more than 3000 counties. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policy making.

The essential duties and responsibilities of this position include the following:

Assisting the Division Chief with supervision of the Zoning Administration section, which consists of reviewing zoning petitions including Conditional Uses, Variances, Non-conforming Uses, Temporary Uses, Administrative Adjustments, and Zoning Regulations/Map amendments for compliance with the Zoning Regulations/County Code, and consistency with the adopted General Plan. Assigning work to subordinates, monitoring for compliance with deadlines, reviewing for accuracy and completeness and editing as needed. Serving as project manager for the review of assigned zoning petitions.

Monitoring the progress of all assigned cases and plans with respect to compliance with all deadlines for posting and legal advertisement.

Completing field inspections to verify site features and the posting of the property.

Communicating extensively (in writing, on the telephone, via email and in meetings) with attorneys, property owners, engineering consultants, and Subdivision Review Committee agencies.

Preparing technical staff reports for zoning petitions, including compiling the review comments generated by the various agencies of the Subdivision Review Committee.

Conducting administrative hearings in accordance with the Zoning Regulations. Making oral presentations in front of the Planning Board and Zoning Board. Assisting the public at the Front Service Counter and responding to email/telephone inquiries. Developing, directing, or participating in amendments to existing regulations concerning zoning, subdivision and land development. Independently completing special projects assigned by the Division Chief or Director. Assisting the Division Chief with the management and training of subordinate review staff and with interviewing candidates for Division vacancies and performing employee performance evaluations. Updating division applications, checklists, brochures and form letters, etc. Making contributions for policy and procedure formulation.

The minimum required education/experience for this position is a Bachelor's Degree and four (4) years related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Preferred education, knowledge, skills and abilities include a Master's or Bachelor's degree in planning, environmental science, public administration, or similar field. Increasingly responsible experience in land planning or a related discipline. Demonstrated ability to work independently. Experience with the Howard County Zoning Regulations and/or administering, implementing, and drafting Zoning Regulations. Considerable knowledge of principles, practices and goals of urban, regional and community planning. Experience and strong skills in writing technical staff reports and presenting findings to the public. Supervisory experience and knowledge of supervisory methods and techniques. Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of public administration. Ability to interpret maps, plats, legal documents and development plans. Ability to interpret and apply the various statutes, codes and regulations applicable to land use requests. Ability to coordinate objectives from several sources with overall goals and ability to present the results of research and analyses in oral, written and/or graphic form. Ability to compile, collect and analyze complex information and data relative to the review of proposed subdivisions and development plans. Ability to analyze and evaluate the planning implications of social, economic and physical data.

The physical demands and work environment for this position include the following:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Language skills, mathematical skills, and reasoning ability for this position include the ability to read and interpret regulations and manuals, professional journals, technical procedures, environmental reports, and legal documents. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information to and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers and the general public. Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

To apply for this position, you must complete an employment application online. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted.

Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks. At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation.

Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly.