For over 95 years, The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) has enjoyed a national reputation for excellence in planning and, today, serves the culturally diverse populations of Montgomery and Prince George's Counties on the border of Washington, D.C. The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of M-NCPPC, provides countywide planning functions including long range planning as well as reviews of development applications in a diverse built environment of downtown urban districts, suburban communities, and agricultural areas. Montgomery Planning has pioneered nationally-modeled programs in agricultural preservation, inclusionary housing, and transit-oriented design. Montgomery County is evolving quickly as a model of new suburbanism, shifting away from traditional suburban greenfield development to a greater emphasis on infill redevelopment, complete streets, and urbanizing areas around transit and key corridors. The links between mobility, land use and the jobs/housing balance will be critical in determining the future sustainability of the County. To learn more about who we are and what we do, we encourage you to watch this brief video and visit our website at .

We are seeking a dynamic leader and a highly innovative planner as the Countywide Planning and Policy Division Chief. The Division Chief reports to a Deputy Director as part of the Department's senior management team supporting the Planning Director's leadership of the Department's mission and work program. Strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills and management experience is crucial in bringing forward new insights covering a range of planning issues affecting Montgomery County and helping staff realize their potential.

This position manages an interdisciplinary team working in the fields of countywide zoning, housing, transportation, environmental policy and historic preservation. The division is the Planning Department's lead for policy-making that affects the entire county. This includes the important preparation of the quadrennial Growth and Infrastructure Policy, the County's guidance for growth management and linkage to the adequate provision of public facilities, as well as countywide transportation planning analysis and policy development. School capacity and multimodal transportation concerns are at the forefront of the County's growth management issues.

Recent initiatives include the completion of Montgomery County's first Pedestrian Master Plan, work on the Department's Attainable Housing Strategies initiative and several cross-department efforts. All of these are grounded in our updated General Plan, Thrive Montgomery 2050.

The successful candidate will have a strong overall knowledge of land use planning and of how planning systems or networks, such as transportation, housing, the environment and historic resources, function in urban, suburban, and rural contexts.

We are seeking an individual who demonstrates creative thought and problem-solving for complex issues and an attention to detail; strong analytical, writing and verbal skills; facility in building collaborations with internal and external partners; and a background in or comfort working with a variety of planning issues, including transportation/transit planning at both the local and county wide levels, zoning, housing, historic preservation and environmental policy. A candidate with a strong background in management is highly desired, as this position supervises a range of professional staff, including three supervisors. This individual will be an essential leader in guiding the future of growth in the county.

• Manage the zoning code and any pertinent updates to ensure that it encourages economic development while upholding the County's strong tradition of master planning and facilitating innovative land use practices.
• Oversee and guide historic preservation efforts to maintain key resources from the County's past, designate new historic sites and provide guidance for modifications to historic structures.
• Oversee and provide guidance to transportation planning staff maintaining transportation data assets, conducting transportation modeling, planning multimodal transportation facilities, and reviewing development applications and public transportation improvement projects.
• Coordinate with and advise environmental planning staff on countywide efforts pertaining to the built and natural environment, including issues related to preservation, protection, sustainability, and resilience in the face of climate-change.
• Oversee housing policy efforts in pursuit of the vision established in Thrive Montgomery 2050, to provide more diverse types of housing to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse county.

• Lead and coach a team of managers and program staff of planners with diverse subject matter expertise.
• Advise the Planning Director and Deputy Directors on projects and issues that leverage the expertise of the team the Division Chief manages. Advise senior leadership on agency and division management issues.
• Share expertise with and advise the Planning Board, Montgomery County Council members and staff, Montgomery County agencies and other stakeholders on topics and issues under their division's purview.
• Work on special projects as assigned. Many of these initiatives involve committees with County agencies, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and other special project groups.
• Manage the division's budget. Prepare the annual budget request for the division. Review and control expenditures in accordance with the approved budget.

1. Master's degree in planning, parks, architecture, engineering, environmental science, or related subjects; and

2. Eight years of a broad range of planning and/or regulatory related experience that included two years of supervisory experience or four years as a planning coordinator; or

3. An equivalent combination of education and experience.

In addition to the minimum qualifications above, four years of supervisory experience is preferred.

Class/Specification: Planning Division Chief

About Us:
The M-NCPPC offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, generous leave plans, an employee pension plan, and a deferred compensation plan. Positions may qualify for public service student loan forgiveness. Montgomery Planning is conveniently located minutes from Washington, DC in downtown Wheaton, MD next to the Wheaton Metro Station, several bus lines, and bikeshare. A commuter stipend is available. Telework opportunities (up to two days a week) and tuition assistance are also available. We work in one of the first LEED Platinum-certified government-owned office buildings in Maryland. Check it out !

The salary range listed represents the earning potential for this position. Salary is commensurate with experience. This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus (external candidates only).

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 applications at or 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1)

M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.