Long Range Planner

Description

• Do you think about the future of parks?
• 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 III to join the Long-Range Planning Section in our Park Planning and Stewardship Division as a Long Range Planner. Reporting directly to the Long-Range Planning Supervisor, the Park Planner will help shape the future of the Montgomery Parks system and Montgomery County with a focus on the Upcounty Planning Area.

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. The work of the section includes planning for new parks and amenities, collecting and analyzing data, preparing maps and other data visualizations, and working closely with planners at the Montgomery County Planning Department to create the park and open space recommendations in community sector and master plans. We are looking for candidates with general planning skills, strong written and oral communication skills, and experience in Community Master Planning and/or Park Master and Systems Planning.

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 and the Upcounty Planning Area at montgomeryplanning.org/planning/communities/upcounty/.

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 Long Range Planner will lead, coordinate, and support complex planning studies, reports, and other projects focused on the existing and future parks in the Upcounty Planning Area and will serve as an internal expert on those parks. This includes helping to standardize and guide Montgomery Parks role in the master planning process and making recommendations for specific parks and communities in coordination with the Planning Department’s Upcounty Planning staff. This Long Range Planner will also conduct systemwide and geographically focused strategic planning for parks through the analysis of geospatial and demographic data and the application of 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 and demonstrate strong writing skills. 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
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Planning, Public Administration, Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Engineering, Geography, Parks and Recreation, Environmental Science or Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional planning or landscape architecture certification such as: Certified Planner (AICP/APA), Professional Landscape Architect (PLA/ASLA), Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU-A)

One or more of the following:

• Experience in park master, system, or strategic planning.
• 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 (particularly those within the Upcounty Planning Area), as well as Thrive Montgomery 2050 and the 2022 Montgomery County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan.

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.