Planning Supervisor - 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, best practices and sustainability. It is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2025, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 83 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) the most awards in the state of Maryland, and the fifth highest in the nation, as compared to more than 3000 counties. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policy making.

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 is advanced professional level planning work carrying out a variety of special administrative or functional responsibilities in the Department of Planning and Zonings Division of Land Development.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$36.49 - $49.22
$75,903 - $102,386

CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs intermediate supervisory and advanced level planning and zoning work under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes directing the collection, analysis, and compilation of technical data into plans to meet the County s needs; providing expertise in specialized areas of planning, zoning, development and preservation. Acts as project leader or workgroup leader and assists the division chief in carrying out the administrative responsibilities of the unit.

Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Completes plan reviews of the most complex subdivision and site development plan projects for compliance with the Subdivision Regulations, the Landscape Manual, the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance and the Forest Conservation Act. Plan review involves the ability to review plans in an electronic format using the County's electronic plan processing system.

Serves as project manager for assigned subdivision plans, site development plans and waiver petitions to monitor plan progress with respect to compliance with mandated deadlines. Compiles plan review comments generated by various agencies of the Subdivision Review Committee and determines the appropriate plan status. Prepares and forwards recommendations for plan action by the Department.

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

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.

Writes technical staff reports and verbally present reports to the Planning Board. Performs site inspection verification of environmental features for development plan applications and posting of the property as needed.

Assists the Division Chief with the management and training of subordinate review staff and with interviewing candidates for Division vacancies and performing employee performance evaluations.

Makes contributions for Regulatory changes and policy formulations. Serves as project manager for assigned regulatory guidelines and document updates.

Independently completes special projects, makes and tracks PDox plan assignments, creates project reports, coordinates updates to all division applications, checklists, brochures and form letters.

Oversees the plan acceptance, plat recordation, and alternative compliance tracking and publishing processes.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position directly supervises four (4) employees, reviewing associated plan comments, written reports, recommendations, Technical Staff Reports, and assisting the Division Chief with the preparation of their performance evaluations.

Bachelor's degree and four (4) years of 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.

• 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.

• Proven 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.

• Demonstrated ability to manage assigned projects and to implement effective time management skills to ensure timely completion of assignments.

• Experience with complex plan review, landscape architecture, site design and Howard County Regulations.

• Knowledge of supervisory methods and techniques.

• Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of public administration.

• Ability to interpret maps, plats, legal documents and development plans and apply the various statutes, codes and regulations applicable to planning activities.

• Ability to coordinate objectives from several sources with overall goals and ability to present the results of research and analyses in oral, written and/or graphic form.

• Ability to compile, collect and analyze complex information and data relative to the review of proposed subdivisions and development plans.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, developers, County, State and regional officials, and the general public.

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 and interpret regulations and manuals, professional journals, technical procedures, environmental reports, and legal documents. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information to and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers and the general public.

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

Possess of a valid driver's license.