Hybrid Planning Specialist II - Planning and Zoning, Resource Conservation bei Howard County Government, MD

About the Department

Howard County:
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.

Howard County Government:
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, best practices and sustainability. It is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2025, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 83 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the most awards in the state of Maryland, and the fifth highest in the nation, as compared to more than 3000 counties. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policy making. 

What are we looking for?
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.

What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:

• We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.  
• We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!  
• We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs. 
• As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

POSITION SUMMARY:
This is intermediate professional planning work in support of the Resource Conservation Division’s agricultural land preservation program. This position covers a broad range of topics, such as preservation easements, agriculture, land use and development, zoning, natural resources and climate change. Work includes compiling data relevant to the Resource Conservation Division, analyzing the data collected, preparing oral and written reports and presentations, and assisting with research and evaluation of the impact development projects may have on agricultural or natural resources. This position works under the general supervision of an administrative or technical superior. 

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$32.95 - $39.42
$68,542 - $82,000

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.

Position Duties

Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned. 

• Assists the Program Administrator of the Agricultural Land Preservation Program (ALPP) with all aspects of program management, including the recruitment and processing of new easement properties. 
• Develops or works with charts, graphs and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) maps to indicate agriculture, natural resources and other land use factors. Conducts property and natural resource analyses using GIS. Converts technical planning maps to easily readable maps for the public’s use. 
• Manages the ALPP easement property files and database; maintains numerous data tracking spreadsheets. 
• Prepares staff reports and maps for the Agriculture Preservation Board and attends monthly evening meetings, and performs other routine administrative tasks associated with Board functions. 
• Collaborates with staff from the Howard County Office of Agriculture, the Howard Soil Conservation District and the Howard County Economic Development Authority to initiate and implement programs, grants and outreach activities.
• Performs administrative duties such as filing, copying, scanning, drafting correspondence and other paperwork. 
• Manages and updates web pages and outreach content. 
• Conducts ALPP site visits to confirm property location, site conditions and conformance to agricultural easements, policies and regulations. Assists Program Administrator with management of the monitoring and stewardship program. 
• Partners with staff from the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) program to conduct site visits and assist with MALPF’s stewardship efforts. 
• Answers public inquiries regarding agricultural land preservation properties, policies and regulations. 
• Participates in interagency and interjurisdictional programs; attends staff, state and regional meetings as necessary. 
• Conducts review of subdivision plans and waiver requests for the Division and conducts reviews of development proposals for compliance with the ALPP and MALPF easements. 
• Conducts studies and surveys. Collects, compiles and analyzes land use, agriculture, natural resources and other data. 
• Prepares routine and special reports of regular work activities and research projects; makes recommendations for review and action by supervisors.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILIITES:
This job does has no supervisory responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Bachelors Degree in planning, environmental science/policy/conservation, natural resource management, public policy, public administration, land management, paralegal studies or a related field. 

Knowledge of the principles, practices, goals and objectives of planning work. 

Knowledge of agriculture and agricultural land preservation easements. 

Ability to conduct field assessments of natural resources, site visits, navigation of large parcels of property. 

Ability to interpret maps, plats, legal documents and development plans. Skill in preparing charts, graphs, maps and other visual presentations, including skill in using GIS for property analysis.

Knowledge of the research methodology used in conducting studies of land use and development, agriculture and natural resources, environmental conditions and factors, housing patterns, and social and economic matters. 

Increasingly responsible experience in land planning or related discipline. 

Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of public administration. 

Some experience with the Howard County Zoning Regulations. 

Ability to interpret and apply the various statutes, codes and regulations applicable to planning activities. 

Ability to coordinate objectives from several sources with overall goals and ability to present the results of research and analyses in oral, written and/or graphic form. 

Ability to compile, collect and analyze complex information and data relative to the review of proposed subdivisions and development plans. 

Ability to compile, collect and analyze environmental, social and economic statistical data. 

Ability to express ideas effectively orally and in written and graphic form. 

Ability to maintain records and prepare technical reports. 

Ability to manage assigned projects and to implement effective time management skills to ensure timely completion of assignments. 

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, developers, County, State and regional officials, and the general public.

 Ability to conduct field delineations and assessments of natural resources, as related to agriculture. 

Demonstrated ability to work independently.

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 and walk on paved or unpaved and irregular surfaces. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance 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 office work environment is usually moderate but could vary at onsite field visits where construction is occurring or farm equipment or building utilities are being run. Position may require field visits with extensive walking, some climbing and occasional exposure to inclement weather.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write minutes, reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. 

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.

Other Qualifications

Possession of a valid driver's license.

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