Community Planning Assistant Division Chief (15256, Grade 34) at The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, MD

About the Department

Do you have passion to ensure equitable, inclusive, and innovative long range and master planning in diverse communities? 

Do you have experience leading and developing a team of planners? 

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

Are you an effective and astute leader? 

If you answered yes, we are looking for you! 

Our innovative and dedicated team of community planners is in search of an experienced planner to serve as the Assistant Chief to lead the Community Planning Division’s Long-Range Planning Section and Master Plans and Studies Section, and to supplement and support the Division Chief with the management and leadership of the Division.  The Division oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of the comprehensive planning policies and initiatives that shape the future growth and development of Prince George’s County. In addition, the Division leads the placemaking efforts of the Planning Department to activate and support the enhancement of public and private spaces.

The Prince George’s County Planning Department provides land use planning for the physical development of Prince George’s County, Maryland, and the 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 Community Planning Assistant Division Chief position.

Qualified applicants for this position will be self-starting and highly motivated and have a passion for successful and meaningful community engagement, the long-range planning process, plan implementation, and equity.   Additionally, outstanding analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills are a must. The Assistant Division Chief is part of the Senior Leadership Team of the Planning Department and will work under the supervision of the Chief of Community Planning. Finally, leadership skills and team motivation are a must. 

Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Position Duties

The primary roles for this position include:

Under general supervision:

• Plans and manages designated section of the Community Planning Division. Interprets and implements County planning policy established by Planning Director, Planning Board and elected officials. Defines goals and objectives. Develops programs.  Sets standards.  Develops internal policies and procedures. Provides technical direction to staff on methodologies, issues, approaches, designs and recommendations.  Reviews and approves major planning projects. Coordinates and negotiates plans with other Commission units and government agencies. 
• Serves as a division leader.  Acts as Acting Division Chief in the absence of the Division Chief. Supervises and coordinates activities of assigned Division personnel.  Under the guidance of the Division Chief, selects, trains, and mentors staff.  Plans, schedules, assigns and evaluates work of a diverse team of professional staff.   Conducts performance reviews of assigned staff, provides on-going guidance to staff, promotes career development training and professional/technical skills enhancement for individual/team.  Assists with managing human resource needs of the division.
• Resolves and synthesizes separate and divergent professional opinions and issues among or between staff, divisions, teams, citizens, elected officials and members of the development community in the assigned work program. 
• Manages and coordinates assigned special projects (e.g., proposals designed to produce new legislation for innovative development techniques and a variety of other subjects).
• Assists in the preparation of the annual budget request for the Division.  Controls expenditures in accordance with approved budget of assigned work program.   
• Facilitates Master Plan development and implementation of comprehensive Master Planning, Park Planning, and development review processes.  Assists staff with making decisions throughout the Master Plan process.  
• Represents the Planning Board and department as liaison with citizens, community groups, business groups, County Council, County Executive and other government agencies (e.g., MWCOG, WSSC, Metro).  Receives information, seeks cooperation, presents plans, answers questions, responds to requests and resolves complaints pertaining to assigned Division operations regarding planning laws, policies and procedures. 
• Meets with or assigns staff to meet with Chief, Director, Policy Makers and/or Planning Division staff to identify needs, establish policies and procedures and make decisions regarding planning projects and associated with administrative matters (e.g., budget, personnel, facilities) within Department. 
• Maintains records on production of staff reports, including the coordination of inter-divisional referrals. Writes periodic administrative reports.

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.

The ideal candidate will have: 

• Proven experience managing the long range and plan implementation functions of a planning department.
• Proven experience in leading a team of professionals to include teambuilding, mentoring, coaching, and professional development.
• Demonstrated experience in building partnerships and developing consensus among diverse communities and populations.
• Strong understanding of urban dynamics and best practices in community engagement.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage timelines, and allocate resources effectively.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and build consensus across various interest groups.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Comfort in addressing a wide range of groups from elected leaders to community residents.
• Experience in budgeting and resource allocation.
• A desire to serve the public, collaborate with other agencies and departments.
• The ability to cope effectively with change, be flexible, and shift gears comfortably.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Planning (e.g., City, Regional, Urban), Geography, Urban Studies, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Architecture History, Historic Preservation, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field. 
2. Six (6) years of a broad range of planning or regulatory related experience that includes two (2) years of leadership, program management or supervisory experience.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total ten (10) years.
4. May require a 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:

1. AICP Certification
2. PMP Certification

Other Qualifications

Classification Specification: Planning Program Manager

Working Conditions
Works in an office. Field work will be required for site selection, event planning, and events. Required to attend and/or facilitate public meetings with members of the community and/or events in the evening or on weekends.

PLEASE NOTE: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume along with their application.

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 $97,253-$172,238 annually (salary is commensurate with education and experience) at the Assistant Division Chief 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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