Job Summary

We have a new career opportunity for a Senior Planner in Rockville, MD.  This position is located in the City of Rockville’s Department of Community Planning and Development Services (CPDS). The City of Rockville is seeking an experienced Senior Planner to support the Community Planning and Development Services (CPDS) work program. The primary role of the Senior Planner will be to utilize ArcMap GIS and ArcGIS online and related software to produce, display, and analyze geographic information to support City functions such as Comprehensive Planning, rewrite of the zoning ordinance, presenting census data, property updates, GIS integration with permitting software, respond to inquiries, and other duties as required.
An employee in this class works under the direction of the Research Manager in the Management and Support Division of CPDS. An employee of this class exercises some independent judgment in preparing reports within established guidelines. Work involves presentations to and interaction with boards and commissions, the Mayor and Council, developers, engineers, architects, staff from other public agencies (City and other governments), property owners and the general public. 

Essential Job Functions

• Creating, editing, and managing ESRI File Geodatabases in coordination with other City GIS users and established protocols.
• Provide expertise and support for maintaining GIS databases. Perform quality assurance and develop quality control procedures for GIS databases.
• Develop, maintain, and update City Web Maps
• Create maps, reports, and other documents using data and statistics from various sources
• Develop dashboards using census data and other datasets 
• Operate equipment such as plotters and printers for output of maps and graphics
• Assist in integrating ArcGIS with the permitting package (MGO) to improve workflow processes
• Conduct modeling, geospatial analysis, and data processing to automate and enhance current processes
• Create 3D visualizations using SketchUp, ArcGIS Urban Edge or other software
• Perform field inspections to acquire and verify City data
• Prepare presentations relative to various assigned City projects utilizing GIS technology
• Process monthly property sales transaction
• Stay abreast of GIS related information technology changes and innovations through training programs, journals and other sources of information and industry standards

General  

• Works with other CPDS staff, staff from other City departments and from government agencies at the County, State and Federal levels, as required. 
• Works closely with the general public, neighborhood and civic groups, and design professionals

Qualifications

• A master’s degree in geography, GIS, urban planning, or related field with a minimum of two years’ work experience
• A bachelor’s degree in geography, GIS, urban planning, or related field with minimum four years’ work experience
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted. Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP) certification through the GIS Certification Institute may substitute for the education requirement with a minimum of six years’ relevant work experience
• Advanced Excel Skills, ESRI ArcMap GIS, ArcGIS online, Python, and Web Application development capabilities desirable. Experience with Microsoft Power BI or other statistical packages and the knowledge of R Studio is desirable.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent problem-solving skills to identify issues and develop solutions. 
• Strong analytical skills to interpret data and make recommendations based on their findings. 
• Attention to detail to ensure accuracy with work
• Some knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of urban planning, urban design, zoning and development review.
• Some knowledge of zoning and land subdivision ordinances and regulations, and the methods and procedures by which they are enforced. 
• Knowledge of computer applications to planning (word processing, spreadsheets and data bases, geographic information systems). 
• Skill in participating in or developing recommended plans, studies or reports dealing with and fostering the planned economic growth and orderly physical development of the City. 
• Skill in participating as a team member in planning studies, including recommendations, relative to such areas of planning concern as transportation; land use; zoning; urban design; public facilities; community services, open space; land development control ordinances and procedures; and fiscal, social and environmental impact statements. 
• Skill in presenting both oral and written reports to the Mayor and Council and Planning Commission, other Boards and Commissions and other groups. 
• Ability to draft, sketch and illustrate in map and graphic forms. 
• Ability to analyze and systematically compile technical and statistical information and to prepare technical reports. 
• Ability to utilize personal computers and related software applications. 
• Ability to provide information to boards and commissions and other interested parties, and to convey concise and accurate explanations concerning various planning initiatives. 
• Ability to make recommendations recognizing established precedents and practices, and to use resourcefulness and tact in meeting new problems. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and to deal tactfully with other city staff and the public in the resolution of difficult and contentious matters. 

Physical Demands

• The work is light work, which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects. 
• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling. 
• Hearing 1: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination in sound. 
• Hearing 2: Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination in sound. 
• Mental Acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes. 
• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers. 
• Speaking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely. 
• Mental Acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes. 
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion. 
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward. 
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. 
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another. 
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time. 
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles. 
• Talking 1: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly. 
• Visual Acuity 1: Have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading. 
• Visual Acuity 2: Including color, depth perception, and field vision. 
• Visual Acuity 3: Visual Acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned or to make general observations of facilities or structures. 

Work Environment 
This job is performed in a dynamic environment that requires one to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs.