Description

  • Are you ready use your skills and experience to make the world a better place?
  • Do you want to enrich your community’s environment and the lives of the surrounding population?
  • Are you a talented, team-oriented, creative problem-solver who is passionate about parks?

If so, the Montgomery County Department of Parks (Montgomery Parks) is the place for you! We are currently seeking a Park Planner to join the Long-Range Planning Section in our Park Planning and Stewardship Division. Reporting directly to the Long-Range Planning Supervisor, the Park Planner will help shape the future of the Montgomery Parks system and Montgomery County.

The Long-Range Planning Section tracks what we have and where we have it so that we can understand what we need and where we need it in the Montgomery Parks system. Among other things the section plans for new parks and facilities and amenities on parkland, performs data analysis, makes maps, and works closely with planners at the Montgomery County Planning Department on the park and open space recommendations in sector and master plans. We are looking for candidates with general planning skills as well as expertise in one of more of the following areas: Community Master Plans, Athletic Field Planning, or Development Review.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a six-time National Recreational and Parks Association Gold Medal Award Winner. Behind the vast and diverse Montgomery Parks system is a career staff complement of nearly 800 employees, 419 parks, and over 37,000 acres of parkland that serves a diverse population of more than one million residents in the Washington, DC area. Montgomery Parks strives to plan, develop, and maintain parks that support physical activity, social connections, and environmental stewardship in our diverse urban, suburban, and rural areas. You can learn more about Montgomery Parks at MontgomeryParks.org.

Please Note: The salary range listed above represents the earning potential for this position. Salary is commensurate with experience.

What the job will involve: This Park Planner position will lead, coordinate, and support complex plans, planning studies, and other projects. This position will help standardize and guide Montgomery Parks role in the master planning process and will make recommendations for specific parks and communities as well as conduct systemwide and geographically focused strategic planning for parks through the analysis of geospatial and demographic data and applying appropriate planning methodologies.

The role will involve negotiating with developers and other departments, presenting and defending park recommendations to the Montgomery County Planning Board and County Council, soliciting input from the public in formal and informal settings, and understanding emerging and future challenges and opportunities for park systems. This position requires experience in project leadership and the ability to work well with team members with a diverse set of backgrounds and expertise. Candidates should be capable of effectively communicating with county residents, developers, planners, architects, engineers, attorneys, maintenance workers, scientists, and public officials. Fieldwork and occasional evening and weekend meetings are required.

 

Examples of Important Duties

  • Assists in the development of land use studies and Master Plans with a focus on parks and public open space and recreational amenities. Including investigating and reporting on existing conditions, conducting needs analyses, and making recommendations.
  • Develops park master plans, guidelines, and operational plans for new and existing parks and facilities including athletic fields.
  • Analyzes data and conducts statistical analyses to produce needs assessments, trend forecasts, budget prioritizations, and plan recommendations.
  • Presents park planning recommendations to the Planning Board and County Council.
  • Reviews and analyzes development plans and applications (Mandatory Referrals, Preliminary Plans, Site Plans, etc.) to ensure that park needs are met while minimizing park impacts.
  • Participates in or leads community meetings.
  • Assists in the creation of visually compelling presentations for the public, the Planning Board, and other audiences.
  • Provides written content and graphically illustrates issues for plans, staff reports, and Master Plans.

The successful Park Planner should have the ability to: 

  • Handle complex and often controversial situations.
  • Balance multiple deadlines and projects.
  • Effectively identify problems and be resourceful and creative in developing solutions, requesting the assistance or input of others as appropriate.
  • Adapt and learn new approaches, processes, and technologies.

Important Skills:

  • Strong project management skills and the ability to coordinate teams and deliver work product on deadline.
  • Collecting and analyzing data
  • Creating maps
  • Making recommendations 2/4
  • Proficiency reading technical design plans (e.g., construction drawings and development applications).
  • Persuasive communication
  • Proficiency using the ESRI suite of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) platforms and software and Microsoft Productivity software including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams.

 

Minimum Qualifications

  1. Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Geography, Architecture, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field.
  2. Four (4) years of progressively responsible professional level planning experience related to specific area of assignment such as transportation planning, environmental planning or urban planning.
  3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total eight (8) years.
  4. Valid driver’s license (depending on area of assignment) in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations.  Driver’s license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee’s ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in Planning, Public Administration, Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Engineering, Geography, Parks and Recreation, Environmental Science, Business Administration or a related field.
  • Professional planning or landscape architecture certification such as: Certified Planner (AICP/APA), Professional Landscape Architect (PLA/ASLA).
  • One or more of the following:
  • Experience in planning or designing parks or other outdoor facilities, such as athletic fields.
  • Experience reviewing development applications.
  • Experience writing, initiating, and analyzing the results of public surveys.
  • Experience creating community master plans.
  • Familiarity with the Montgomery County Code, Zoning Ordinance, and various Master Plans, as well as Thrive Montgomery 2050 and the 2022 Montgomery County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan.

Working Conditions:

  • Primarily works in an office setting with occasional outside exposure. Work involves frequent  positioning of self to obtain maps, drawings, plans, remaining in a stationary position, moving about inside the office, communicating with the public, officials, and employees.
  • Work may require some physical requirements.
  • Driving to attend various meetings and conduct site inspections.
  • May be subject to various job demands such as high volume of work and tight deadlines.

Diversity Statement: Montgomery Parks believes that diversity in all dimensions of the organization supports and bolsters the innovative thinking essential to its success. Montgomery Parks does not make hiring decisions on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, political affiliation, ideology, or status as a Veteran.

May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.

 

Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1)

M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.