Forest Conservation Planner Coordinator

M-NCPPC administers a park system of more than 52,000 acres. It is composed of stream valley parks, large regional parks, neighborhood parks and park-school recreation areas. Its staff of career employees includes planners, park and recreation administrators, park police and administration staff. In addition, seasonal workers staff numerous park and recreation programs.

Position Overview

The Montgomery County Planning Department in Silver Spring has an opening for a Forest Conservation Planner Coordinator focusing on creating and implementing a tree planting program and advocating for policy/legal issues related to the Forest Conservation Law. The position will be within the Development Applications and Regulatory Coordination Division and will oversee all tree planting programs for the department, including the Forest Conservation fee in lieu fund, the Leaves for Neighborhoods, and Shades of Green tree planting programs. 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, Maryland. The Forest Conservation Planner Coordinator position will work with private landowners and the Montgomery County Parks Department to identify new planting locations, seek agreement from private land owners, and arrange for contractors to plant and maintain the trees as appropriate.

In addition, the Forest Conservation Planner Coordinator 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. The Forest Conservation Planner Coordinator will serve as the project manager for all planting projects initiated by the Planning Department and make needed presentations to civic groups and local government officials.

Responsibilities

Including but not limited to:

• Develops goals, schedules, and deadlines for work effort and ensure that objectives are met for completion.
• Identify tree planting sites on private and public lands.
• Secure permission to plant on private and public lands and review 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.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in planning, architecture, parks, engineering, environmental science, or equivalent disciplines related to job function and three years of progressively responsible professional level planning experience at the journey level; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical Requirements:

• As required by the duties and responsibilities of the job.

Ideal Candidate:

• The ideal candidate will possess a Master's degree in planning, landscape architecture, forestry, sustainability and conservation biology, environmental science or equivalent discipline.
• Candidate should have outstanding analytical capabilities; record of providing leadership; advocacy to identify, strategize, and implement changes to the forest conservation law and regulation; enhance tree and forest planting; and practical experience in planning and training volunteer groups to enhance existing forests.
• The candidate should have a strong understanding of conservation techniques and the need to increase forest and tree cover.
• This position requires extensive experience in project leadership, public speaking, and communication skills.
• The ideal candidate must demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills, and the ability to work directly with residents, planners, attorneys, community leaders, and public officials.
• Fieldwork and occasional evening meetings are required.
• Applicants called for an interview should bring a writing sample and be prepared to analyze and respond to a case study in writing.

Additional Information

• The Montgomery County Planning Department is located in downtown Silver Spring.
• It is conveniently located near the Silver Spring subway (Metro) and train (MARC) stations.
• The Department is an element of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), an award winning, bi-county organization, and offers excellent benefits and competitive salaries.
• Transit subsidies are available.
• Work is performed in a typical office environment.
• See our website for more information.