Zoning Planner

Job Description:

Participates in advanced, highly complex professional land use activities for the county. Performs complex research and analysis of plans and ordinances governing land use and zoning in Calvert County. Manages complex and sensitive professional planning and zoning projects. Monitors and ensures compliance with local, state, and federal laws. Supervises staff of the Zoning and Permitting Section. Work involves field inspections and investigations to establish facts and to prepare recommendations regarding compliance with land use laws, rules and regulations. Work at this level requires advanced professional training and experience in land use planning and zoning.  Worker reports to administrative supervisors.

Essential Job Functions

Performs complex research and analysis of plans and ordinances governing land use and zoning in Calvert County.  Manages complex and sensitive professional planning and zoning projects. Monitors and ensures compliance with local, state, and federal laws.

Supervises the review and approval of permit applications and grant applications. Performs on-site field inspections. Manages the workload for Permit Planners, Historic and Rural Preservation staff.

Manages and processes text amendments to complex zoning ordinances and maps governing land use in the county. Manages major updates to County Ordinances and zoning maps.

Meets with property and business owners, representatives of business associations, citizens groups, surveyors, engineers and the public to discuss questions and concerns on permits/projects/zoning text and map amendments. Takes appropriate action to maintain effective coordination in the event of delays and other problems.

Makes presentations on changes to zoning regulations to the Board of County Commissioners, Planning Commission, citizen groups and business associations. Conducts and/or attends meetings with various boards, commissions and committees to present/discuss amendments to zoning ordinances governing land use in the county

Researches and drafts Zoning Verification Letters.

Supervises positions and personnel to make best use of employees; interviews applicants and recommends candidates; develops employees' capabilities; counsels employees and recommends disciplinary actions; enforces agency and County human resources policies and procedures.

Performs complex research and analysis for Zoning Interpretations.

Prepares/reviews scopes of work, selection procedures, and draft contracts for consultants, and coordinates consultants' work if applicable.

Writes position papers/background summaries on potential or proposed regulations for public review.

Drafts goals, objectives, and innovative solutions to planning and zoning problems using planning theory/practice/law, community goals and interests, and political realities.

Meets with various officials to discuss proposed plans and regulations and/or makes formal presentations.

Works with Zoning Officer to answers questions from planning staff concerning interpretation of plans and ordinances on proposed sites plans, subdivisions and interpretation of regulations.

Prepares reports on operations and activities, recommending improvements and modifications.

Other Duties

Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (These are pre-employment KSA that apply only to Essential Job Functions.)

Knowledge of--

• Advanced principles and practices of land use planning as applied to local government planning and zoning administration.

• Thorough knowledge of urban and rural planning and development and local government policies and procedures. 

• Citizen involvement techniques and processes.

• Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations including recent changes.

• Effective techniques of supervision and project management.

• Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.

Ability to--

• Supervise work projects and teams.

• Interpret and apply land use laws, rules, and regulations.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others encountered in the work.

• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

• Manage staff, daily operations, and policy development and implementation.

• Provide technical guidance and leadership to planning and zoning support staff.

• Deal effectively with the public.

Required Qualifications (Note: Any acceptable combination of education, training and relevant experience that provides the