Zoning and Permitting Division Chief

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 Zoning and Permitting staff. 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.

Plans, directs, organizes, and coordinates programs related to the issuing of permits.

Reviews and issues building, use and occupancy permits.

Develops policies and programs to provide effective and efficient permitting.

Provides fiscal and budgetary direction for the Division.

Keeps official records of applications received, permits and certificates issues and fees collected.

Supervises the review and approval of permit applications and grant applications. Performs on-site field inspections. Manages the workload for Permit Technicians, Permit Coordinators and Permit Review Planners.

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 Planning and Zoning Deputy Director to answer 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.
• Database administration for purposes of maintaining records of applications received, permits and certificates issued, fee collected and generating reports as needed.

Ability to--

• Supervise work projects and teams.
• 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 above knowledge, abilities and skills may be substituted on a full-time year for year basis.)

Training and/or Education:

Master's degree in planning or related field.

Experience:

Four years of professional planning which must include considerable experience managing staff, daily operations, customer service, and policy development and implementation.

Licenses or Certificates:

None

Special Requirements:

Work is subject to deadlines and frequent interruptions.

Physical Demands:

Requires long periods of standing, frequent walking indoors, repeated bending, crouching, stooping, stretching or reaching; recurring lifting of objects up to 49 pounds; operation of keyboard devices.

Unusual Demands:

May be required to work beyond normal scheduled hours including night meetings.

Site work exposes workers to dirt and soil, and work is subject to inflexible deadlines.

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Compensation Steps:

Department of Planning and Zoning

Pay rate: $89,180 - $102,339 annually

Grade 727, contract position, 35 hours per week

Position closing date: July 1, 2025

Please Note: This position will close at 11:59 p.m. on July 1, 2025. To be considered for the role, ensure that your application is submitted before the deadline. The position will be removed from the website as of 12:00 a.m. on July 2nd.

This position allows for telework, meaning the employee may be able to work from home or another offsite location for part of the workweek, but they are still required to come into the office regularly. This arrangement is at the supervisor's discretion and may change based on business needs.

Calvert County Government offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees' health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Benefits include:

• 15 days of sick leave
• 10 days of annual leave
• 5 days of personal leave
• 13 paid holidays *14 in an election year
• Defined Contribution Plan
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
• 35-Hour workweek
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Flexible spending accounts
• Up to 80% tuition reimbursement
• Gym membership discounts

Please Note: A complete application is required to be considered for a position within Calvert County Government. All prior work experience, education, and other certifications should be entered into the application and supplemental questions should be answered completely. Attachments are not provided to hiring managers unless you are selected for an interview.

Calvert County Government is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at ... with as much notice as possible.