Category: 
Job


Location: Wheaton, MD

Environmental Planner II/III

Salary: $69,305.00 - $125,004.00 Annually

Closing: 12/14/2023

Description
The Montgomery County Planning Department is currently seeking an experienced Environmental Planner within the Upcounty Planning Division to develop environmental recommendations and content for master plans and conduct environmental review of development applications. Regarding master plans, the selected candidate will be responsible for conducting an inventory of natural resources, community engagement, and environmental recommendations. Regarding development review, the selected candidate will review Natural Resource Inventories/Forest Stand Delineations (NRI/FSDs), Special Protection Area Water Quality Plans, and Forest Conservation Plans, and will provide environmental content for staff reports and presentations.

This position requires the capability to work well with a team with a diverse set of backgrounds and areas of expertise such as county residents, developers, planners, architects, engineers, attorneys, and public officials. Fieldwork and occasional evening meetings are required.

Upcounty Planning is responsible for nearly two-thirds of the land area in Montgomery County, including Germantown, Clarksburg, Potomac, Darnestown, Damascus, Olney, Ashton-Sandy Spring, Burtonsville, Fairland Briggs Chaney, and the Agricultural Reserve. This is an opportunity to help shape the built environment, while protecting valuable natural resources through application of the Environmental Guidelines and Forest Conservation Law and promoting environmental sustainability and resilience in Montgomery County.

Montgomery Planning is part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). For over 95 years, M-NCPPC has had a national reputation for excellence in planning, and today serves a culturally diverse population of over one million people on the border of Washington, D.C. in Montgomery County. We provide county-wide planning functions including long range planning, as well as reviews of development applications in diverse built environments of downtown urban districts, suburban communities, and agricultural areas. We have pioneered nationally modeled programs in agricultural preservation, inclusionary housing, and transit-oriented design.

Examples of Important Duties

  • Knowledge of the various master plans in Montgomery County and how they provide guidance on environmental decisions.
  • Developing environmental sections and recommendations for master plans.
  • Understanding of policies, procedures, regulations, and standards that affect plan reviews, Environmental Guidelines for Development in Montgomery County, Chapter 22A Forest Conservation Regulations, the Trees Technical Manual, Special Protection Area Water Quality Plan requirements, and the Patuxent River Primary Management Area forest planting requirements and impervious surface limits.
  • Review and provide comments and recommendations on Natural Resource Inventories/Forest Stand Delineations (NRI/FSD), Special Protection Area Water Quality Plans, and Forest Conservation Plans within the regulatory timeframes established by law.
  • Perform field work throughout the year with expertise to identify trees and other vegetation, streams, and wetlands.
  • Perform comprehensive environmental review of preliminary plans, site plans, parks projects, zoning, and mandatory referral applications as assigned for conformance with Forest Conservation Law and Environmental Guidelines.
  • Coordinate with appropriate local, state, and/or federal agencies on environmental issues. Provide direction and facilitate resolution wherever possible.
  • Submit draft staff reports for development for applications as required.

As the Environmental Planner II, you will perform the duties above and have some experience performing and leading the independent environmental review of plans; possess general knowledge of the master plan and regulatory processes; be familiar with reviewing environmental plans and studies; be able to identify trees, vegetation, streams, and wetlands in the field and on plans; request the assistance and input of others as appropriate; and effectively identify problems while creatively developing solutions generally requiring supervision and feedback to complete tasks.

As the Environmental Planner III, you will perform the duties above, but more independently and under a more general direction due to clear demonstrated experience; have considerable experience performing and leading the independent environmental review of plans and identifying trees, vegetation, streams, and wetlands in the field and on plans; and possess proficient knowledge of the master plan and regulatory processes.

Minimum Qualifications
Planner II:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Geography, Architecture, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field.
  • Two (2) years of progressively responsible professional level planning experience or specific area of assignment such as transportation planning, environmental planning or urban planning.
  • An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total six (6) years.
  • 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 III:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Geography, Architecture, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field.
  • 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.
  • An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total eight (8) years.
  • 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.

How to Apply
Apply online at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mncppc/jobs/4274589/environmental-planner-ii-iii-10948-grade-28