Planning Specialist II - Research Division

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 2024 Howard County Government received a recordbreaking 63 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 youll 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 youll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

This is an intermediate level professional planning position working under the direction of a Planning Supervisor to collect organize analyze and evaluate planningrelated data. This position is responsible for compiling complex data related to population transportation housing employment economic development land use and other categories. The position involves interpreting and entering data pertaining to the development review process. The position also requires the use of software to interpret and track subdivision and site plans in the development review process. This position requires the use of geospatial analysis utilizing ESRIs ArcMap Pro.

Includes the following. Other related duties may be assigned:

Research analyze and evaluate information required in the development and review of the Countys general plan and master and community plans particularly through the utilization of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Employ intermediatelevel GIS proficiency for data creation and management performing complex spatial analysis and production of presentationgrade cartographic products.

Support the maintenance of DPZs Land Use database and associated GIS layers.

Collect and compile complex data related to population transportation housing employment economic development and land use and organizes that information into reports maps charts graphs or drawings.

Research information about innovative planning techniques tools strategies and best practices.

Draft technical reports and other related material and present technical and professional recommendations to superiors on assigned projects and programs.

Help develop approaches to planning studies and research activities.

Maintain the DPZ development database and subdivision mapping layers related to development activity.

Support the development maintenance and administration of DPZs electronic plan review process software.

Modify update and maintain various geodatabases including maintaining topology for GIS layers such as the Zoning layer and the Preservation Easement layer.

Produce maps for publications presentations and documents such as the Development Monitoring System and Construction Report maps and in support of various departmental efforts.

Present research and data analysis findings to internal and external stakeholders and document technical research methodologies.

Bachelors Degree and two (2) years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Bachelors or Masters degree in Planning Geographic Information Systems or related field.

Knowledge of land use planning and the principles practices goals and objectives of urban regional and community planning.

Knowledge of the research methodology used in conducting studies of social and economic matters land use and development housing patterns and transportation factors.

Ability to compile collect and analyze complex social and economic statistical data.

Experience with Esris ArcGIS Pro software.

SQL experience writing/maintaining/optimizing queries views and stored procedures particularly in SQL Server and PostgreSQL.

Ability to formulate recommendations based on data modeling projections and geospatial analyses upon which various planning initiatives are based.

Experience with public sector data particularly property/parcel (SDAT) Zoning and Land Use.

Skill in preparing multifaceted charts graphs and other visual presentations using Microsoft Excel.

Experience developing dashboards and reports using dynamic visualization software (i.e. PowerBI or Tableau).

Experience developing and maintaining data processing models with Esris ModelBuilder.

Experience with developing and managing webmapping applications and StoryMaps in ArcGIS Online.

Ability to write in a clear and concise manner including graphic representation of data and orally articulate planning practices and principles.

A demonstrative creative approach to cartography and understanding of cartographic design and style principles.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other planning staff county state and regional government officials and the general public.

Interest in and ability to present data results and methodologies before various audiences (public peers elected officials conferences).

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.

The characteristics of the job and the physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform job functions. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform them.

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. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. This job requires the employee to have close vision depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

The employee must be able to:

Read analyze and interpret drawings and designs planning and technical journals and government regulations.

Write reports that conform to the Departments prescribed style and format.

Effectively present information to department management public organizations and/or boards.

Clearly define problems collect and interpret data establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

Effectively respond to common inquiries or complaints from the public.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

TO APPLY:You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted.

Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening background screening and reference checks.

At time of application please submit a copy of any college degree coursework licenses or certifications that you have referenced on your who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services () or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation ( County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Howard Countyis an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity equity and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color religion age sex ancestry creed national origin disability status genetics marital statusmilitary service sexual orientation gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at .Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.