Assistant Counsel, Code Enforcement (NCS) City of Baltimore, Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals

THIS IS A NON-CIVIL SERVICE POSITION

Salary Range:

$79507.00 - 127043.00 Annually

Hiring Salary Range:

$79507.00 - $103275.00 Annually

Get to Know Us

Welcome to the City of Baltimore! Experience the reward of a fulfilling career and enjoy the added element of excitement in a vibrant diverse atmosphere. The City of Baltimore offers limitless opportunities to help drive social impact both on the job and in the community while serving its citizens. Join us in making Baltimore a great place to live and the City of Baltimore we hire great people and provide them with the skills and opportunities to grow toward their career aspirations. If you are looking for a career change or interested in learning more explore our opportunities and benefits programs. We are excited to have you as a part of the City of Baltimore Team! The city offers medical prescription drug dental vision optional life AD&D and FSA plans. This office also supplies wellness programs support groups and workshops. You can learn about our benefits here:

Job Summary:

BUILDING BALTIMORES FUTURE: WHERE LAW MEETS DEVELOPMENT

About the Role

Baltimore is at a pivotal moment. As part of the Bmore FAST initiative to grow our city and make development more predictable and efficient the Baltimore Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals (the BMZA or Zoning Board) seeks an Associate Counsel ready to help transform how development review happens in Baltimore.

This isnt a typical administrative law position. Yes youll draft resolutions and prepare for biweekly hearings but youll also have the opportunity to stand up new processes identify inefficiencies in our Zoning Code and work directly with the Interim Executive Director (who is also the Citys first Permit Czar) to implement reforms that matter. Youll have opportunities to present to the City Council on how proposed legislation will impact development review. Youll help a frustrated property owner understand where their permit stands in the process. Youll spot a poorly drafted zoning provision and flag it for correction.

Were looking for someone who wants to do the workall of itto make Baltimores development review process more orderly transparent and efficient while maintaining appropriate safety standards and the Boards independent oversight role. If youre interested in seeing how the sausage gets made (and making better sausage) this role is for you.

Who You Are

This role is ideal if youre:

• A recent law school graduate seeking hands-on municipal law experience
• An attorney looking to transition from private practice to a mission-driven public service role at a more sustainable pace
• Someone who wants exposure to how real estate development land use and permitting actually work in a major city
• Interested in a potential path toward becoming an Administrative Law Judge or deepening expertise in real estate development and land use law

Essential Functions:

THE FOUNDATION (What keeps the Board running):

• Draft written resolutions of Zoning Board decisions for Board adoption following biweekly BMZA hearings
• Prepare for and attend biweekly BMZA hearings (some evenings required)
• Analyze applications and supporting materials for zoning appeals filed by applicants
• Prepare staff reports and recommendations applying zoning laws court decisions and Board precedent
• Draft and revise BMZA rules and regulations as needed
• Respond to inquiries from builders architects engineers attorneys civic organizations and the public regarding zoning appeals procedures and Board rules
• Advise the Board during hearings on procedural and substantive matters
• Maintain hearing records minutes and case files
• Conduct legal research using Westlaw

THE OPPORTUNITY (What makes this role different):

• Present to the Baltimore City Council on anticipated impacts of proposed zoning and land use legislation
• Work with the Interim Executive Director/Permit Czar to implement Bmore FAST process improvements
• Draft new BMZA rules and regulations to improve clarity and efficiency of the appeals process
• Identify opportunities to streamline development review processes while maintaining safety standards and appropriate oversight
• Flag poorly drafted or problematic Zoning Code provisions for future code amendments
• Assist walk-in customers navigating the permitting and appeals process
• Create new standard operating procedures and process documentation
• Help ensure the BMZAs review process is fair transparent and predictable; giving applicants clear guidance while upholding the Boards independent quasi-judicial role

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Juris Doctor from an accredited law school

Admission to the Maryland Bar (or eligibility for admission within 6 months)

AND

Experience: Two years of combined legal experience (this can include: judicial clerkships trial or transactional work administrative law practice or court appearances before district circuit or appellate courts)

STRONGLY PREFERRED:

• Aptitude for identifying and implementing process efficiencies
• Comfort with technology and legal research databases (we use Westlaw)
• Ability to explain complex legal concepts to non-lawyers
• Strong written communication skills (youll be drafting a lot)
• Willingness to roll up your sleeves and do what needs to be done
• Interest in how government actually works (and how to make it work better)

What We Value

Were looking for someone who:

• Is willing to do grunt work in service of a larger mission
• Understands that making the process predictable and transparent serves everyone: applicants neighbors and the city
• Can juggle competing priorities without losing track of deadlines
• Sees problems as opportunities to improve systems
• Communicates clearly with everyone from seasoned developers to first-time homeowners
• Thrives in an environment thats part courtroom part customer service part process engineering

What We Offer

IMPACT: Youll directly influence how development happens in Baltimore and help shape the processes that will serve the city for years to come.

EXPOSURE: Youll see the full lifecycle of development projects from initial zoning questions through appeals and final approvals. This experience is invaluable for anyone considering careers in real estate development land use law or as an Administrative Law Judge.

FLEXIBILITY: Hybrid work arrangement with in-person requirements for BMZA hearings (biweekly some evenings) and occasional City Council hearings.

MISSION: Be part of the Bmore FAST initiative to make Baltimore a place where development review is predictable transparent and efficient while upholding safety standards and the independent oversight role that protects both applicants and communities.

About the BMZA

The Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals is an independent quasi-judicial body that hears appeals related to Baltimores Zoning Code and building regulations. The Board serves as the key forum where property owners developers neighbors and the city work through zoning disputes. Our decisions directly impact what gets built in Baltimore and how our neighborhoods evolve. We balance facilitating appropriate development with maintaining safety standards and protecting community interests through fair consistent application of zoning laws.

To Apply

Submit your resume and a cover letter explaining why this role interests you and what you hope to accomplish in addition to your resume and cover letter please complete the following exercise:

Review Baltimore Citys Zoning Code (Title 32 of the Baltimore City Code available here and identify one provision that you find unclear ambiguous or unnecessarily complex.

In approximately 200 words or less (this is not a hard cap) explain:

What the provision says and where its located (cite the specific section) why its problematic and how you would propose to revise it.

Please include your response in your cover letter or as a separate document.

Additional Information

Background Check

Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointment to positions identified as positions of trust will be required to complete authorization for a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint must be successfully completed.

Probation

All persons including current City employees selected for this position must complete a mandatory six-month probation.

Financial Disclosure

This position is required to complete a Financial Disclosure pursuant to Sections 7-7 7-8 and 7-9 of the City Ethics Law.The initial financial disclosure must be submitted within 30 days of hire.

Baltimore City Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity equity and inclusion. The City of Baltimore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color religion age sex ancestry creed national origin disability status genetics marital status military 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 Department of Human Resources directly. Do not attach your request for accommodation to the application.

BALTIMORE CITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER