Development Review Planning Division Chief (10655, Grade 38)

The Prince Georges County Planning Department of The Maryland National-Capital Park and Planning Commission is seeking a Development Review Planning Division Chief to join our planning team. The Department provides land use planning for the physical development of Prince Georges County, Maryland. As the second most populous county in Maryland, Prince Georges has a population of approximately 900,000 residents and is home to The University of Maryland at College Park, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and Joint Base Andrews. Prince Georges County is also home to many attractions such as Northwest Stadium (formerly FedEx Field), National Harbor, and Six Flags Amusement Park.

We are seeking a self-motivated and creative Development Review Planning Division Chief with outstanding analytical and critical thinking skills. The qualified candidate must possess a consistent track record of acquiring the highest quality design for development projects. The ideal candidate will have a significant background in various design processes, planning, zoning, and development potential. The position does require extensive experience in project management, oral and written communication, and leadership. If you are interested in working for a dynamic and energetic team, the Prince Georges County Planning Department would like to invite qualified candidates to apply for our Development Review Planning Division Chief position.

Under general supervision:

• Effectively leads a core Planning Division of approximately 50 employees and several interdisciplinary teams that perform difficult professional planning work, involving considerable responsibility, complexity, and variety.
• The work may include oversight for all development review functions and will provide direction, organization, and coordination of planning recommendations and decisions for the Planning Board and County Councils consideration.
• Interpretation of County planning policy to develop and administer plans, and supervising development review functions including: Subdivision, Urban Design, and Zoning.
• The ideal candidate will effectively serve as the Planning Departments expert in development review, oversee work standards and work assignments, review major projects, and will regularly appear before the Planning Board and the County Council sitting as the District Council.
• Plans and manages Development Review Division operations and programs. Interprets and implements County planning policy established by the Planning Director, Planning Board and elected officials. Defines goals and objectives. Develops programs. Sets standards. Develops internal policies and procedures. Provides technical direction to staff on methodologies, issues, approaches, designs and recommendations. Reviews and provides guidance/ direction on the processing of staff reports. Plans weekly agenda items for Planning Board. Coordinates and negotiates plans with other Commission units and government agencies.
• Supervises and coordinates activities of Division personnel. Selects, trains, and mentors staff. Plans, schedules, delegates, assigns and evaluates work of a diverse team of professional staff. Conducts performance reviews, provides on-going guidance to staff, promotes career development training and professional/technical skills enhancement for individuals/team. Manages human resource needs of the division. Resolves staff conflict and investigates employee disputes and grievances.
• Resolves and synthesizes separate and divergent professional opinions and issues among or between staff, divisions, teams, citizens, elected officials and members of the development community.
• Manages and coordinates special projects (e.g., proposals designed to produce new legislation for innovative development techniques and a variety of other subjects).
• Prepares annual budget request for the Development Review Division. Controls expenditures in accord with approved budget.
• Facilitates and ensures high-quality analysis for development review applications such as, but not limited to, Preliminary Plans of Subdivision, Detailed Site Plans, Zoning Map Amendments, Conservation Plans, and Special Exceptions.
• Represents the Planning Board and department as liaison with citizens, community groups, business groups, County Council, County Executive and other government agencies (e.g., MWCOG, WSSC, Metro). Receives information, seeks cooperation, presents plans, answers questions, responds to requests and resolves complaints pertaining to Division/Area operations regarding planning laws, policies and procedures.
• Meets with community groups and the public to explain the Development Review Process.
• Meets with or assigns staff to meet with Director, Policy Makers and/or Planning Division staff to identify needs, establish policies and procedures and make decisions regarding planning projects and associated with administrative matters (e.g., budget, personnel, facilities) within Department.
• Maintains records on production of staff reports, including the coordination of inter-divisional referrals. Writes periodic administrative reports.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING:
The ideal candidate will be highly organized, have strong analytical and critical thinking skills, possess outstanding communication skills, and be proactive. In addition, they must be independently engaged in the work program and highly dependable.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Proven experience managing and streamlining development review and current planning functions of a planning department across multiple agencies.
• Proven experience in leading a team of professionals to include teambuilding, mentoring, coaching, and professional development.
• Demonstrated experience in building partnerships and developing consensus among diverse communities and populations.
• Experience with efficiently processing high quality staff reports, certification of plans, and processing final plats.
• Experience in monitoring tight deadlines and ensuring they are met.
• Extensive experience and a strong understanding of governmental operations that have effectively streamlined existing development processes.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage timelines, and allocate resources effectively.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and build consensus across various interest groups.
• Comfort in addressing a wide range of groups from elected leaders to community residents.
• Implementing innovative approaches to development review that includes multiple planning disciplines.
• Experience with implementing effective and legal human resource recruitment practices.
• Extensive experience in identifying and proposing innovative approaches to all development review functions, public engagement, human resource management, and procurement processes.
• Experience in drafting land use legislation that has been implemented by a local authority.
• Experience in budgeting, procurement, and resource allocation.
• A desire to serve the public, collaborate with other agencies and departments.
• The ability to cope effectively with change, be flexible, and shift gears comfortably.
• The ability to ensure and maintain the integrity and functionality of a land use process.

1. Bachelors Degree in Planning, Geography, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field.
2. Eight (8) years of a broad range of planning or regulatory related experience that includes four (4) years of lead or supervisory experience.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total twelve (12) years.
4. May require a valid drivers license (depending on area of assignment) in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Drivers license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employees ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.

Classification Specification Planning Program Division Chief

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting; however, attends public meetings and hearings. Work involves frequent: positioning of self to obtain maps, drawings, plans, remaining in a stationary position, moving about inside the office, communicating with the public, officials and employees. May be subject to various job demands such as high volume of work and tight deadlines. On call and works evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.

PLEASE NOTE: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume along with their application.

WHY PRINCE GEORGES PLANNING?

Amenities:

• Telework opportunities (up to two telework days per week)
• Flexible schedules
• Onsite fitness center
• Complimentary access to M-NCPPC gymnasiums throughout Prince Georges County
• Free parking is available for employees
• Professional development opportunities/Tuition assistance
• Positions may qualify for federal student loan forgiveness assistance

The M-NCPPC offers a competitive salary range of $116,505 - $206,340 annually (salary is commensurate with education and experience) at the Planning Program Division Chief level with excellent benefits including generous leave, extensive health coverage, deferred compensation plan, and employee pension plan.

The Prince Georges County Planning Department is conveniently located in Largo, Maryland near Metro and I-495.

May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.

Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the

Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of application at (Maryland Relay 7-1-1)

M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.