Senior Planner

Job Summary: This is professional level work directly serving the general public and government agencies including federal, State, and local jurisdictions. The primary duties of the Senior Planner are to work in a multi-disciplinary setting and conduct all aspects of land use, zoning, and planning efforts for Kent County.  Supervises Associate Planner within the Planning work group.

Essential Functions

Functions listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

•  Reviews and is responsible for development applications and building permits regarding their consistency with the adopted Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance including impacts on the environment, quality of site design, architecture, compatibility with neighboring uses, planning principles, availability, and capacity of public facilities to include water, sewer, and transportation.
• Coordinates with the Planning Specialist on the interagency review process, including advertising, mailings, postings, etc.
• Ensures project review conditions and comments are addressed prior to final approval.
• Initiates actions necessary to correct deficiencies in applications and building permits as well as correct violations of regulations in coordination with the County Code Enforcement work group.
• Conducts significant and extensive research, including policy and County and State legislation.
• Analyzes proposals and prepares staff reports for the Planning Commission, the Board of Appeals, and other Boards as assigned.
• Staffs citizen committees; schedules and conducts meetings with developers and the general public.
• Serves on various task forces and committees as the County's liaison and representative.
• As assigned, serves as local administrator of programs such as the Critical Area Program, Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation Program, Watershed Implementation Plan, etc.
• Negotiates effectively with developers, property owners and other participants in the development review process on project specific issues.
• Consults with County attorneys regarding land use legal issues and applies information obtained.
• Serves as a Planning Director's designee as Hearing Examiner for Special Exceptions or Variances.
• Assists in the drafting of Unified Development Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan updates.
• Performs other duties as required.

Supervision: The position reports to the Director of Planning. Position supervises another professional planner.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The employee is expected to perform or possess the following:

•  Leadership and Management Skills: Creates and communicates the Planning workgroup’s vision.  Supports employee growth and success. Sets expectations and monitors activities of the Associate Planner.  Recognizes the accomplishments of others; demonstrates ability to create and lead in a team-oriented environment. Builds morale and group commitment to success.  Inspires and motivates others to perform well. Demonstrates effective problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Attention to Detail: Is alert; follows detailed procedures and ensures accuracy; carefully monitors plans or processes; concentrates on routine work details. Recognizes and accurately evaluates the signs of a problem and handles the problem accordingly.
• Customer Service: Ability to assist and support constituents in a timely and pleasing manner. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, representatives of other agencies, and the public.
• Flexibility: Adapts well to changing priorities, deadlines, and directions; works to eliminate all processes which do not add value; is responsive and works effectively within limited time frames; takes informed risks.
• Technical Skill: Ability to understand legal aspects of land use planning and zoning. Familiar with general agricultural related land use issues, soil conservation practices, storm water management, public water and sewer, and on-site well and septic systems. Ability to conduct research, read and interpret ordinances and plans. Working knowledge of wetland regulations, Critical Areas, the State Forest Conservation Act, historic preservation and architecture, various tax credit programs, landscape architecture, as well as land preservation and conservation programs. Ability to draft legislation such as land use regulations for adoption as part of the County Code.
• Responsiveness: Responds to requests for service in a timely and thorough manner; does what is necessary to ensure customer satisfaction; prioritizes customer needs.
• Project Management: Ability to handle a variety of projects with conflicting deadlines and needs.
• Communication and Persuasion: Ability to communicate with non-technical and technical end users, to gain cooperation and understanding of technical ideas and systems and project scopes. Ability to produce well written and well thought out documents for constituents’ use.
• Computer Related Skills: Ability to work with MS Office, GIS, and database packages.

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in planning, urban planning, landscape architecture, public administration, or a related field is required.
• Four years of experience in local planning and zoning, or six years related experience.
• Or equivalent technical training, education, or experience.
• Valid Maryland Driver’s License and an acceptable motor vehicle record.
• AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) preferred.

Physical & Environmental Conditions:

Work is conducted in an office setting with comfortable lighting, temperature and air conditions. The position occasionally requires stooping or bending. Occasional very light lifting, such as three or four reams of paper, books, or other materials (up to 20 pounds) may be required.

Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices or meeting rooms, e.g. use of safe workplace practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls and observance of fire regulations.

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. 

Kent County Government provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.