Forest Conservation Planner III

Location

Wheaton, MD | United States

Job description

Job Detail

Forest Conservation Planner III

Location: Wheaton, MD
Salary: $71,037.00 - $128,129.00 Annually

Forest Conservation Planner III (13963, Grade 28)

Salary

$71,037.00 - $128,129.00 Annually

Location 

Wheaton, MD

Job Type

Career

Job Number

13963

Department

MC Planning

Opening Date

02/27/2024

Closing Date

3/27/2024 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description

• The Montgomery County Planning Department is looking for an energetic, dynamic, and passionate Forest Conservation Planner III to focus on implementing and expanding Reforest Montgomery, the preeminent tree and forest planting program, and advocating for policy/legal issues related to the Forest Conservation Law. This position is within the Intake and Regulatory Coordination Division and oversees Reforest Montgomery (which includes the free shade tree program, ReLeaf the Reserve, easement reforestations, Park reforestations, and spade tree plantings), all forest mitigation banks, and draft and advocate for changes to the Forest Conservation Law. Forest planting will be coordinated on both private and public land. The goal of all these programs is to increase the amount of forest and canopy cover in Montgomery County and meet and exceed the no net loss goal for the county. 
  Montgomery Planning is part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). For over 95 years, M-NCPPC has had a national reputation for excellence in planning, and today serves a culturally diverse population of over one million people on the border of Washington, D.C. in Montgomery County. We provide county-wide planning functions including long range planning, as well as reviews of development applications in diverse built environments of downtown urban districts, suburban communities, and agricultural areas. We have pioneered nationally modeled programs in agricultural preservation, inclusionary housing, and transit-oriented design. To learn more about who we are and what we do, we encourage you to watch this brief video hereand visit our website at www.montgomeryplanning.org.

  As the Forest Conservation Planner III, you will work with private landowners and the Montgomery County Parks Department to identify new planting locations, seek agreement from private landowners, and arrange for contractors to plant and maintain the trees as appropriate. In addition, you will identify and advocate for changes to the Montgomery County Forest Conservation law, Forest Conservation Regulations, and the Trees Technical Manual and present those changes to the Montgomery County Planning Board and Montgomery County Council. You will also serve as a face of the Montgomery County Planning Department representing the Reforest Montgomery Program to the public and elected officials via marketing, education, and advocacy.

• Examples of Important Duties

• Including but not limited to:

  < >Interact with the public on all Reforest Montgomery programs including marketing, legislation advocacy, and community education.Be a thought-leader on Forest Conservation initiatives in the County and the State and address forest issues with creative solutions.Develop goals for growing the program and meet schedules, deadlines, and objectives.Identify tree planting sites on private and public lands.Secure permission to plant on private and public lands and review forest conservation plans and necessary legal documents.Manage contracts for obtaining planting materials and for the installation and maintenance of plantings.Review easement documents, approved plans, and coordinate with inspection staff to determine level of plan compliance for areas to be planted.Prepare staff reports that clearly state staff recommendations, issues, and findings, and illustrate issues graphically.Present and defend staff recommendations or make presentations to the Planning Board in a Public Hearing setting.Draft legislation, manage the legislative process, and testify at County Council work sessions and hearings and the State legislative process.Manage the Forest Conservation fund and all financial documents and contracting related to the Reforest Montgomery program.

  Minimum Qualifications

•  

  < >Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Geography, Architecture, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field. 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.An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total eight (8) years.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.Outstanding communication and analytical capabilities; Strong leadership skills; Advocacy experience for environmental issues; Knowledge of tree and forest care; Practical experience with program management and community engagement and education. Strong understanding of conservation techniques and the need to increase forest and tree cover. 

  Supplemental Information

• Class/Specification: Planner III
  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 here!
  Diversity Statement
  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.
  The salary range listed above represents the earning potential for this position. Salary is commensurate with experience. This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus (external candidates only).

  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.

• Agency
• The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission

• Address
• 7833 Walker Drive
  Suite 425
  Greenbelt, Maryland, 20770

Employer Info

7833 Walker Dr, Suite 425
Greenbelt, Maryland 20770
301-454-1411
[email protected]

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• Other

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