Food Systems Planner (Planner III) (15245, Grade 28) bei The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, MD

About the Department

• Do you have passion for equitable, resilient, and sustainable food systems?

• Do you want to make a difference in your community?

• Do you have a passion for building partnerships with the community? 

If you answered yes, we are looking for you! 

We believe that equitable, resilient, and sustainable food systems are essential to thriving communities. As the Planning agency for Prince George’s County, we want to work to build stronger connections between food production, distribution, and consumption across our diverse population and geography.

We are seeking a passionate and strategic Food Systems Planner in our Community Planning Division to lead and support initiatives that strengthen local and regional food systems. This role will engage with stakeholders across sectors—including farmers, government agencies, academia, non-profits, and community members—to develop and implement policies, programs, and plans that promote food security, environmental stewardship, and social equity. The Food Systems Planner will also lead the development of a Farmland Preservation and Activation Study.

The Prince George’s County Planning Department provides land use planning for the physical development of Prince George’s County, Maryland, and the Community Planning Division is responsible for developing and implementing community plans, neighborhood revitalization programs, and assisting with implementation programs. As the second most populous county in Maryland, Prince George’s has a population of approximately 900,000 residents with 15 Metro Rail Stations and is home to the University of Maryland at College Park, National Harbor, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and a world class parks and recreation system. Prince George’s County has 27 municipalities, from rural to urban communities, with a land area of approximately 500 square miles. If you are interested in working for the Prince George’s County Planning Department, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Food Systems Planner position.

Qualified applicants for this position will be self-starting and highly motivated and have a passion for successful and meaningful community engagement, solving food systems issues like access to healthy foods, food deserts, economic sustainability, and community gardens. Additionally, outstanding analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills are a must. Proven results in food systems planning, placemaking, partnerships, budgeting, and project management are essential. Salary is commensurate with education and experience

Position Duties

The primary roles for this position include:

Under general supervision:

• Conduct research, data analysis, and mapping to assess current food systems and identify gaps or opportunities.
• Develop comprehensive food systems plans, including land use strategies, policy recommendations, and economic development initiatives.
• Develop food pop-up to deliver healthy food options in food deserts.
• Develop and implement strategies to address healthy food equity.
• Develop and implement strategies to ensure agriculture in the County remains sustainable and economically viable.
• Facilitate community engagement processes to ensure inclusive and culturally relevant input.
• Coordinate with local and regional partners on food access, food justice, climate adaptation, economic, and sustainability initiatives.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and grant proposals to support planning projects and secure funding.
• Monitor and evaluate food systems programs for effectiveness and alignment with strategic goals.

  
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: 
 The ideal candidate will be highly organized, have strong analytical and critical thinking skills, possess outstanding communication skills, and be proactive. In addition, they must be independently engaged in the work program and highly dependable.  

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:

• Experience in Food Systems Planning.
• Demonstrated experience in healthy food access.
• Experience local to Maryland and/or the Greater Washington region.
• AICP Certification.
• PMP Certification.
• Spanish language skills.

Other Qualifications

Working Conditions

Primarily works in an office setting with requirement to attend public meetings and hearings. 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. Driving to attend various meetings and conduct site inspections. May be subject to various job demands such as high volume of work, tight deadlines and extended hours.

PLEASE NOTE: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume along with their application.  Applicants should also provide a brief portfolio of food systems work.

WHY PRINCE GEORGE’S PLANNING?

Amenities:

• Telework opportunities (up to two telework days per week)
• Flexible schedules
• Onsite fitness center 
• Complimentary access to M-NCPPC gymnasiums throughout Prince George’s County 
• Free parking is available for employees 
• Professional development opportunities/Tuition assistance 
• Positions may qualify for federal student loan forgiveness assistance

The M-NCPPC offers a competitive salary range of $73,523 - $132,614 Annually (salary is commensurate with education and experience) at the Planner III level with excellent benefits including generous leave, extensive health coverage, deferred compensation plan, and employee pension plan.

The Prince George’s County Planning Department is conveniently located in Largo, Maryland near Metro and I-495.

May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.

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 application at 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1)

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

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