MONTGOMERY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Code No. 4404

ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND Grade 21

CLASS SPECIFICATION

PLANNING SPECIALIST II

DEFINITION OF CLASS:

This is developmental-level work in a planning specialization such as community development, environmental planning, land use, or transportation planning. Contacts include senior planning specialists, staff from other departments, governmental agencies, developers, real estate brokers, business representatives, financial organizations, and consultants/contractors and involve providing planning area advice and obtaining and providing information. Employees is this class provide little or no direct public service or assistance.

An employee in this class performs limited studies, segments of larger studies, or implements small-scale projects such as administering small contracts for the preliminary phase of street construction, or for the design of water and sewerage systems for new developments. The supervisor defines the objectives, priorities and deadlines for the work, and the employee plans and carries out the various phases of recurrent assignments, referring to the supervisor only in the case of unusual, unprecedented situations. Completed work is reviewed for technical soundness and conformity to established policy. Guidelines include applicable codes, regulations and previous studies/projects which the employee uses to adapt to new assignments. The complexity of the work is characterized by duties that involve analyzing conditions and elements to determine an appropriate course of action within a circumscribed planning area such as determining the best data collection method. The employee addresses a variety of conventional planning questions and issues in conformance with generally well-precedented projects and established criteria, which affect the design and development of planning programs. The work is primarily sedentary, performed in a normal office environment, and is not associated with any unusual hazards or physical demands.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative Only)

Develops scope of services, and negotiates, prepares, and administers small contracts for surveying, engineering and architectural consultants for the preparation of street construction, water and sewerage systems design, buildings design, parking usage studies, and similar projects.

Provides technical assistance in the compilation and interpretation of research data for jointly sponsored community development projects to local officials of Federal, State and County Government, business advisory councils, and civic leaders.

Prepares detailed reports which present information such as characteristics of the population, current use of land for residential, business and community purposes, arrangement of streets, highways, water and sewer lines, requirements for mass transit systems or health care delivery systems, and types of industries in the community.

Conducts field studies and surveys to collect original research data for County planning projects, and determines the statistical techniques to be used in compiling such studies; prepares reports of statistical data using graphic presentations.

Cooperates with other County, regional, and State economic development agencies and developer groups by planning and implementing regional promotional and educational events such as: regional tours, exhibits, and conferences.

Develops methodology for planning projects under the direction of higher level staff personnel.

Consults with local officials, as directed, concerning the compilation and interpretation of research data for planning related projects.

Analyzes and makes proposals for revisions to existing County planning projects.

Makes presentations to government officials and citizens' organizations to explain plans and programs.

Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience: Some (2 years) experience in a planning specialization appropriate to the assignment of the position.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate planning specialization or related field.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education or experience may be substituted.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of the principles and practices of the planning specialization appropriate to the assignment of the position.

Knowledge of the methods of statistical analysis and skill in interpreting numerical research data.

Knowledge of how communities, as a whole, and their component systems function and develop.

Skill in preparing and presenting effective reports, maps, and charts relative to planning projects.

Skill in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to deal tactfully, effectively, and equitably with people.

Ability to attend meetings and perform work assignments at locations outside the office.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:

Individuals appointed or promoted to this class will be required to serve a probationary period of six months, during which time performance will be carefully evaluated. Continuation in this class will be contingent upon successful completion of the probationary period.

MEDICAL PROTOCOL: Medical History Review

Class Established: April 1967

Revised: October 1967

August 1972

April 1977

August 1987

August 1995 (M) October 1999