Long-Range Planning Manager at City of Gaithersburg, MD
City of Gaithersburg, MD · Gaithersburg, United States Of America · Onsite
- Senior
- Office in Gaithersburg
About the Department
The Planning Division in the Department of Planning & Code Administration is seeking a talented and experienced professional for the full-time Long-Range Planning Manager position to provide leadership and advanced planning expertise and advice in developing and monitoring sound long-range planning policies and initiatives that guide Gaithersburg’s growth and development and help ensure the creation of a thriving, attractive, vibrant, sustainable community.
The Long-Range Planning Manager supervises staff and participates in, manages, and coordinates complex and sensitive planning tasks or projects requiring a high degree of technical expertise and knowledge. Work involves extensive contact with City officials, management staff, and the public. The ideal candidate will be extremely well versed in contemporary approaches to long-range land use planning and development and have a successful track record in program delivery in a fast-paced environment and extensive experience working with multiple agencies, community groups, and internal teams to develop and manage highly visible projects. Strong initiative, good judgment, and common sense are essential.
Starting salary for this position is negotiable within the anticipated target hiring range ($101,000 to $117,000) and will be offered at a level consistent with the relevant experience and qualifications of the candidate. We provide comprehensive insurance benefits (medical, dental, vision, long-term care, life), paid time off, generous retirement contributions, health and wellness programs, tools to assist with paying down student loan debt and managing student loans, training and professional growth opportunities, and excellent work/life balance.
Position Duties
What you will do with us:
- Lead, coordinate, manage, and participate in programs and activities related to long-range planning efforts.
- Develop, prepare, update, and maintain the Master Plan and land development regulations.
- Provide interpretation, information, and technical guidance on City codes and policies, zoning, regulations, construction practices, development policies, and other aspects or functions of current planning work.
- Develop, administer, coordinate, and manage long-range and urban design development and improvement plans.
- Develop strategies to promote economic and community development or efficient land use consistent with the City's vision, strategic plan, and Master Plan goals.
- Supervise long-range planning staff.
- Participate in the development and implementation of Planning Division goals, objectives, and priorities.
- Provide advanced planning expertise on major aspects or functions of planning work such as land use, transportation, zoning, demographics, economic analyses, market analyses, planned development, urban design, and development suitability; provide technical guidance and support to project teams.
- Coordinate the site plan review process; determine planning policies, work procedures, and timetables; review staff reports; track projects and keep staff, applicants, and other stakeholders informed of status and progress
- Coordinate department activities and tasks with other City departments to ensure a consistent approach toward common projects of City-wide interest; coordinate with City Attorney on legal issues regarding long-range planning projects.
- Prepare verbal and written reports, ordinances, resolutions, regulations, presentations, and other communications and responses on technical or complex topics for the City Manager, the Mayor and City Council, the Planning Commission, other City boards, commissions, and committees, and the public.
- Attend a substantial number of meetings of the Mayor and City Council, boards, commission, committees, and other groups relating to department activities.
- Evaluate need for, propose, and coordinate ordinance changes (text amendments).
- Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; monitor and control expenditures.
- Represent the City and its planning policies in the community and with other agencies, organizations, and jurisdictions.
- Provide outstanding service, pursue continuous improvement, and exceed expectations.
Key job responsibilities are highlighted above; please click here to view the complete classification description for the Long-Range Planning Manager position. The classification description indicates the full salary range established for this position to provide opportunity for growth and development (Grade 115 in the City's FY 2026 Schedule of Salary Ranges).
Minimum Qualifications
What you will need to be considered:
- Master's Degree in Urban Studies, Urban and Regional Planning, or closely related field.
- At least 7 years of relevant professional planning experience at the regional or local government level, including at least two (2) years of supervisory and managerial experience in a senior administrative role.
- At least four (4) years of responsible experience in long-range planning projects and issues, including practical experience in comprehensive planning, policy development, and community sustainability.
- Certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (required).
- Valid driver's license and safe driving record (required).
- Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to explain technical information in a manner that customers at all levels can understand.
- Exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills.
- Or any acceptable equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to satisfactorily perform job duties.
Other Qualifications
Interest applicants must submit the following to be considered:
- A complete online application
- Current Resume (attached to the online application)
- Letter of Interest (attached to the online application); include why you are interested in this position and highlight the special skills/abilities that make you uniquely qualified to serve in this position
Review of applications will begin immediately, so prompt application is strongly encouraged. The position will remain open until filled; recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of qualified applications are received or all hiring decisions have been made.
This is a full-time salaried "exempt" position requiring a minimum of 40 hours per week (not eligible for overtime compensation under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the City's personnel regulations). Attendance at some early morning/evening public meetings or events and other work outside of regular business hours is required. The position may accommodate limited situational remote work (at the discretion of the Department Director). Direct deposit of paychecks is a condition of employment for all City of Gaithersburg employees.
The successful candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation. The City has established an alcohol-free, drug-free, and smoke-free workplace which applies to any person employed by, conducting business with, or applying for a position with the City. Each employee, as a condition of their employment, may be required to participate in pre-employment and reasonable suspicion testing. Employees classified as safety sensitive are also subject to immediate post accident and random testing.
For more information, contact Director of Planning & Code Administration Greg Mann at [email protected] or 240-805-1071. Questions regarding the online application process may be directed to the Department of Human Resources at [email protected] or 301.258.6327.
This recruitment will establish an eligibility list which will be used to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill other openings in this classification which occur in the next 12 months.
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