Salary : $56,645.00 - $109,262.00 Annually
Location : George Howard Building 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043, MD
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-00672
Department: Planning & Zoning
Division: Planning & Zoning - Land Development
Opening Date: 09/10/2026
Closing Date: 9/24/2026 12:00 AM Eastern

POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION

POSITION SUMMARY:
This is routine technical work performing a variety of assigned tasks used in planning work. Work includes the preliminary review, processing and tracking of plans, maintaining databases for the Division of Land Development for subdivision, site development plans, and alternative compliance applications. It also includes assembly, review, and processing of data and work on land development related projects and carrying out official recording procedures. Other administrative duties include answering telephone calls and planner of the day duties, emailed inquiries, composing letters, scheduling meetings, checking estimates and answering freedom of information requests and providing support to the Design Advisory Panel.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$27.23 - $30.71
$56,645 - $63,886

*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 advanced technical level planning and zoning support work under general supervision from a technical superior. Work includes the final review and processing of plans, building permit applications; and carrying out other planning and zoning related procedures. Collects and enters data for use in the planning data base and assists the public at the service counter.

*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*

*Please note that this position falls within a collective bargaining unit and is represented by AFSCME Local 3085, Local 3888, or Local 1810.*

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Plan Processing and Review Coordination:

• Accept plan submissions from developers, engineers, and contractors.
• Track and review plans for completeness and consistency.
• Distribute plans to designated reviewing agencies.
• Schedule meetings with review agencies and boards.
• Prepare routine plan approval letters.
• Record plats and documents in the land records office.
• Answer routine public inquiries regarding plans processing procedures.
• Assess and process fees for plan submissions, alternative compliance applications, and posters.
• Coordinate with applicants regarding missing or incorrect ProjectDox submission information.
• Process letters and plans for signature and circulate to appropriate signatories.

Technical Support, Reporting and Data Management:

• Regularly update and maintain information on the Department website.
• Gather technical and statistical data for land development and related studies.
• Maintains routine records of operations processed and prepare reports regarding alternative compliance requests, necessary disturbance requests, and other reporting required by the County and State regarding subdivision and land development review and approvals.
• Update database for subdivision plan processing information and pre-submission requests.
• Process, assign, track, and maintain project files in ProjectDox.
• Conduct testing, operational maintenance, and monitoring of DPZ's ProjectDox electronic plan review system.
• Maintain the house numbering and street addressing records.
• Prepare tracking letters and maintain related databases.
• Maintain digital and paper files for the Division.

Public Engagement & Meeting Support:

• Complete data entry and prepare posters for pre-submission community meetings and Planning Board cases.
• Provide support to the Design Advisory Panel, including preparing materials and agendas, recording meetings, attending meetings, taking notes, and drafting accurate meeting minutes. Meetings occur up to twice a month in the evening.
• Update web content related to meetings and panel activities.

Inspections and Inter-Agency Coordination:

• Coordinate landscape plan and forest conservation plan inspections with developers and the Department of Recreation and Parks.

Records, Research and FOIA Support:

• Research and compile property records.
• Coordinates responses to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

Administrative and Clerical Support:

• Provide clerical and administrative support to the Division and Division Chief, including processing mail, creating folders, memos, and letters, filing, and maintaining official records.
• Arrange appointments or meeting schedules for the Division Chief, including contacting participants and preparing materials.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma or GED and two (2) years' related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of office practices and procedures; business correspondence; record keeping systems; office machine operation; English grammar, including usage and composition; telephone etiquette.
• Knowledge of the nomenclature, symbols, methods, and techniques used in preparing planning maps, development plans, and chart preparation.
• Some knowledge of the methods and techniques of planning activities and operations.
• Skill in the interpretation of maps, sketches, and development plans.
• Ability to interpret and apply the various statutes, codes, and regulations applicable to planning activities to process assigned procedures and operations.
• Necessary skills to work independently to organize, carry out, and maintain control over complex office operations and employee issues.
• Ability to express ideas, effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work in a cooperative, courteous, and effective manner with associates and the public.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in deciding when to act independently and when to refer situations to higher authority.
• Ability to use Microsoft Windows based software and other software applications on personal computer (Word, Windows, Excel, etc.) with basic knowledge of GIS.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The physical demands and work environment 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 touch, 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 noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.
• 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.

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/i