Salary : $69,913.00 - $134,588.00 Annually
Location : George Howard Building, 3430 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, MD
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-00687
Department: Planning & Zoning
Division: Planning & Zoning - Land Development
Opening Date: 09/01/2026
Closing Date: 9/15/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION

POSITION SUMMARY:
This is more complex professional planning work collecting, organizing, analyzing and evaluating data required in the development of comprehensive land use plans, subdivision regulations, 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:$33.61 - $40.21$69,913 - $83,639

*This is the anticipated starting salary range for this position. Please note that the final salary will be determined by the Office of Human Resources, commensurate with experience and aligned to ensure internal equity with similarly situated roles.*
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.

*This is a Classified position, meaning that it is a part of the Howard County Classified Service upon completion of a probationary period of at least six (6) months.*

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Regulatory and Technical Review:

• Review advanced-level subdivision and site development plans for compliance with Subdivision Regulations, Zoning Regulations, the Landscape Manual, the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance, and the Forest Conservation Act.
• Review certain plans for compliance with the Route 1 Manual, Route 40 Manual and Clarksville Pike Streetscape Plan and Design Guidelines.
• Prepare and review written comments, alternative compliance petition recommendations, necessary disturbance request recommendations, and letters.
• Prepare written technical staff reports and PowerPoint presentations for the Planning Board and verbally present the information at a public meeting/hearing.
• Perform site inspection verification of environmental features for development plan applications as needed.
• Assist with development review and phasing tracking of Downtown Columbia to include tracking information and review of the required Downtown Plan Monitoring Report, Phasing Progression, and CEPPA program.

Project and Process Management:

• Serve as project manager for assigned subdivision plans, site development plans, and alternative compliance petitions.
• Compile review comments from Subdivision Review Committee agencies and determine appropriate plan status.
• Prepare and forward recommendations for plan action by the Department.
• Monitor progress of assigned subdivision and site development plans for compliance with milestones and submission deadlines.
• Assist Division Chief in tracking and assigning redline revisions to road construction drawings and site development plans, and Design Manual waivers to review staff.

Stakeholder Communication and Engagement:

• Communicate extensively (in writing, by phone, and in meetings) with developers, property owners, engineering consultants, environmental consultants, design professionals, government officials, and Subdivision Review Committee agencies.
• Communicate with community groups and interested citizens (in writing, by phone, and in meetings).
• Regularly engages with property owners, developers, design professionals, and members of the public by fielding general questions by phone and at the DPZ front counter as Planner of the Day.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
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. 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.
• An ability to read and interpret 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 Regulations.
• Previous experience reviewing forest conservation plans in accordance with the Forest Conservation Act.
• Familiarity with Howard County Subdivision and Land Development 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 (http://www.naces.org) or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (https://www.wes.org/).

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.

The following is a summary of the benefits available to Howard County employees who hold full-time benefit-eligible positions. Employees in positions covered by a bargaining agreement should consult their union contract for other specific benefits. Additional details are also available in the Employee Manual and in summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources or at

FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PLAN: Under the County's flexible benefits plan called CountyFlex, employees may elect to enroll in medical insurance plans, dental insurance plans, optional life insurance, dependent life insurance, and healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts. Employee contributions to these benefits are made on a pre-tax basis. Information concerning enrollment options, plan rates and a benefits comparison chart are available in the Office of Human Resources.

GROUP TERM LIFE INSURANCE: Employees receive a group term life insurance benefit equal to 2 times their annual salary at no cost. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The County pays the entire cost for this benefit. Employees may purchase additional coverage under the CountyFlex benefits plan.
PAID LEAVE BENEFITS: Annual and Disability Leaves are accrued over 24 pay periods each year. Personal leave is credited on January 1st each year. Use of Annual, Disability and/or Personal Leave requires supervisory approval.

ANNUAL LEAVE: During the first 5 years of employment, employees accrue the equivalent of 13 days per year. From years 6 through 10, the accrual is the equivalent of 16 days per year. From years 11 through 20, the accrual is the equivalent of 19 days per year. From year 21 on, the accrual is the equivalent of 21 days per year. Annual leave may not be used during the first 6 months of employment. A maximum of 40 days may be carried over from one fiscal year to the next.
DISABILITY LEAVE: Employees accrue the equivalent of 1 day per month (12 days per year). There is no maximum accrual. This leave may be used for the disabling illness/injury of the employee, spouse or minor child or for a serious medical condition approved under F.M.L.A. Absences of over 3 days must be substantiated by a physician's certificate.

PERSONAL LEAVE: Employees receive 6 personal leave days each calendar year to be taken during the calendar year. Employees hired after April 30th receive 4 days of personal leave that year; those hired after August 31st receive 2 days; and those hired after November 30th receive no personal leave for that year. Personal leave may not be carried over.

HOLIDAYS: Employees are paid for the following holidays: New Year's Day; Martin Luther King Day; President's Day; Good Friday; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veteran's Day; Thanksgiving Day; Friday after Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Day.

OTHER PAID LEAVE: Other paid leave wil