Planning Specialist II-¬ Planning and Zoning, Land Development

Howard County:

Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.

Howard County Government:

Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2025, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 85 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the highest number of annual NACo awards achieved in the history of the State of Maryland, and the highest number of awards out of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 136 awards. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.

What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:

• We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
• We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged
• We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
• As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for more complex professional planning work to include collecting, organizing, analyzing and evaluating data required in the development of comprehensive land use plans, and subdivision regulations. The position coordinates with multiple agencies to provide comprehensive transportation, historic or environmental planning. Work includes providing technical assistance to peers and other planning personnel; may also direct and coordinate the activities of project related work groups.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:

$ $39.42

$68,542 - $82,000

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

Performs intermediate professional level planning and zoning work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes coordinating the plan review process; planning and implementing recycling activities; collecting, organizing, analyzing, and evaluating data required in the development and review of comprehensive plans and regulations.

Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Reviews advanced level subdivision and site development plans for compliance with the Subdivision and Land Development Regulations, Zoning Regulations, the Landscape Manual, the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance and the Forest Conservation Act. This work also includes reviewing alternative compliance requests and parking demand studies.

Serves as project manager for assigned subdivision plans, Site Development Plans and alternative compliance petitions. Compiles the review comments generated by the various agencies of the Subdivision Review Committee and determines the appropriate plan status. Prepares and forwards recommendations for plan action by the Department. Responsible for management and County response for multiple plan submissions.

Communicates and interacts extensively (in writing, on the telephone and in meetings) with developers, property owners, engineering consultants, environmental consultants, design professionals, government officials and other Subdivision Review Committee agencies.

Communicates with community groups and interested citizens (in writing, on the telephone and in meetings).

Monitors the progress of all assigned subdivisions and site development plans with respect to compliance with all established milestones and submission deadlines.

Prepares and reviews written comments, alternative compliance petition recommendations, and letters.

Responsible for written technical staff reports and verbal presentation of same to the Planning Board.

Performs site inspection verification of environmental features for development plan applications as needed.

Coordinates compliance with the State Forest Conservation program through reviews for inspection, tracking and logging of Forest Conservation default status; coordinates with agencies on default process; tracks and prepares annual reporting of Forest Conservation projects to the State of Maryland DNR; acts as department contact for State of Maryland DNR; lead role in data gathering and collection through summary charts for bi-annual reporting to Council as required to track effectiveness of legislative changes; participates in regulatory updates to the forest conservation manual and law.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Bachelor's Degree and two (2) years related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Bachelor's degree in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, planning or environmental science or a related field of study.
• Strong communication, problem solving, time management, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Increasingly responsible experience in land planning or a related discipline including the principles, practices, goals and objectives of urban, regional community planning work.
• Advanced knowledge of the research methodology used in conducting studies of social and economic matters, land use and development, housing patterns, environmental conditions and transportation factors.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently; prepare visual presentations; compile, collect and analyze complex social and economic statistical data; express ideas effectively orally and in written and graphic form; establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public; maintain records and prepare technical reports.
• Experience with plan review, landscape architecture and Howard County Zoning and Subdivision and Land Use Regulations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

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:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.

Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.

Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.

Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

TO APPLY: You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. 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 at Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.