Salary: $80,512.00 - $128,975.00 Annually
Location : Annapolis
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Planning and Zoning
Opening Date: 08/21/2026
Closing Date: 9/4/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Summary

The Zoning Administrator (Senior Planner) is a senior-level role instrumental in shaping the city's growth by leading the modernization of the City's zoning code and analyzing legislative amendments. Reporting to the Director of Planning and Zoning, this position serves as the principal staff liaison to key boards, manages complex zoning interpretations, and provides expert guidance to elected officials and the public. The role involves significant coordination with developers and attorneys, supervision of enforcement staff, and participation in the department's senior management team to ensure equitable and sustainable development.

Essential Job Functions

• Writes text amendments related to zoning and building codes and manages the modernization of the City's zoning code.
• Consults with elected officials, City departments, the public, and stakeholders on code modernization.
• Analyzes Council-sponsored zoning and related amendments and writes explanatory staffing and operational reports.
• Assists in the general review and tracking of zoning amendments and integrates legislation into Department operations.
• Works with the Director on zoning interpretations, official letters, approval extensions, and complex enforcement matters.
• Coordinates directly with attorneys, developers, and applicants on zoning and development requests.
• Ability to exercise judgment in problem-solving;
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing;
• Participates in the development site plan review process, pre-qualifying applications for zoning compliance, including the Historic District.
• Reviews reports prepared by staff on zoning matters for the Planning Commission, HPC, and Board of Appeals.
• Serves as the principal staff administrator and liaison to the Board of Appeals and Board of Building Appeals.
• Answers inquiries from the public, City Council, and staff to build understanding of zoning codes and approval procedures.
• Guides and advises staff and elected/appointed officials on complex zoning issues.
• Supervises the Zoning Enforcement Officer and coordinates activities with building inspectors.
• Participates in the Department's Senior Staff management teams.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned

Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of planning practices, land use concepts, and socioeconomic implications.
• Advanced skill in interpreting and applying municipal laws, zoning ordinances, and regulations.
• Ability to facilitate discussions among citizens and leaders to build consensus on planning policy.
• Strong skill in using GIS and Microsoft applications for data analysis and mapping.
• Ability to exercise high-level judgment in problem-solving and complex enforcement matters.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for reporting to boards and elected officials.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree from an accredited university in Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Geography, or a related field; and
• Five (5) years of experience in local government planning, land use development, or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Preferred Qualifications

• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is preferred.
• Previous experience as a liaison to a Board of Appeals or similar quasi-judicial body is highly desirable.

Employment Conditions

Physical/Mental Demands

Work requires significant physical mobility to walk long distances, stand for sustained periods, and maintain balance or crouch while navigating various work sites. Essential manual skills include reaching and grasping objects, as well as the fine motor dexterity needed for repetitive typing and operating technical office equipment. Finally, the position demands the visual, auditory, and mental acuity necessary to analyze complex data and clearly communicate detailed instructions to others.
Summary of Benefits for Civil Service
Work Hours: Minimum 35 hour work week, depending upon department operations.
Holidays: 12 paid holidays per calendar year.
Personal Leave: 3 personal days per calendar year (cannot be carried over).
Sick Leave: 15 days sick leave per calendar year, with unlimited accumulation.
Final sick leave balance is eligible for additional service credit towards retirement once eligibility requirements
have been met.
Annual Leave: Annual leave accumulates per calendar year as noted below (may carry over to the next calendar year 5 days of annual leave per year of service up to a maximum of 30 days).
Years of Service Days of Annual Leave
1 through 2 15 days
2 through 9 18 days
10 through 19 20 days
Longevity Leave: Longevity leave is in addition to the annual leave noted above. It cannot be paid out or carried over and must be used before your next anniversary:
Years of Service Days
20 through 24 1 day
25 through 29 2 days
30 or more 3 days
Health Insurance Plans (75% City Paid and 25% Employee Paid, unless otherwise noted):

• Medical and Prescription Drug (HDHP, EPO, Core, Plus)
• Dental (Core and Plus)
• Vision (Core and Plus)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care)
• Health Savings Account (HSA) (HDHP only)
• Short-Term Disability (100% City paid)
• Long-Term Disability (100% Employee paid)
• Core Life and AD&D Insurance for Employee (100% City paid)
• Optional Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse and Dependents (100% Employee paid)
• Legal Benefit (100% Employee paid)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - up to 3 confidential visits with a counselor for the employee, spouse, and their dependents
• VEBA/RMSA: A Retiree Medical Savings Account (RMSA) is an individual investment account held in Trust to help employees save for Retiree Health Care costs (can be used after retirement or separation of employment with the City).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - up to 3 confidential visits with a counselor for the employee, spouse, and their dependents

Retirement Plans: 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plans with MissionSquare, Nationwide Retirement Solutions or Voya Financial
Maryland State Retirement System (Civil Service):

• 7% employee contribution
• Full vesting rights after 10 years of service credit
• Full Service Retirement - Rule of 90 (sum of Age and Eligibility Service must equal 90 or Age 65 with 10 Years Eligibility Service

Employee Rewards & Recognition program
Eligible to join the State Employees Credit Union (SECU)
Please Note: This document is intended to be a brief summary only. Please refer to the individual plan documents, Collective Bargaining Agreements, and the Rules and Regulations of the Personnel System for additional details specific to your benefits.
REVISED 2023-08-24
01

Which of the following best describes your education and experience?

• I meet the minimum qualifications (Degree in Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Geography, or a related field; plus 5 years relevant experience)
• I meet the minimum qualifications (Degree in Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Geography, or a related field).
• I possess the equivalent education and experience.
• I do not meet the minimum qualifications.

02

Do you have professional experience drafting text amendments or managing the modernization of a municipal zoning code?

• Yes
• No

03

If you answered "Yes" to Question 2 briefly describe your experience with code modernization or board administration.
04

Do you possess an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification?

• Yes
• No

05

Have you served as a principal staff administrator or liaison to a Board of Appeals or Planning Commission?

• Yes
• No

06

If you answered "Yes" to Question 5, briefly describe your experience as principal staff administrator or liaison to a Board of Appeals or Planning Commission.
07

Do you have experience supervising staff, such as Zoning Enforcement Officers or building inspectors?

• Yes
• No

08

Please describe your experience in reviewing development site plans for compliance with zoning regulations generally and within special design, conservation, or historic preservation districts.
09

If you earned a degree outside the United States, have you attached the required credential evaluation?

• Yes
• No
• Not applicable. I have a degree from the U.S.

Required Question