Planning Support Technician II - Planning & Zoning, Land Development

Howard County Government Job Opportunity

Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2025, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 83 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) the highest number of annual NACo awards achieved in the history of the State of Maryland, and the highest number of awards out of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 136 awards. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.

We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations. We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government. We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged! We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs. As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

Position Summary

This is routine technical work performing a variety of assigned tasks used in planning work. Work includes the preliminary review, processing and tracking of plans, maintaining databases for the Division of Land Development for subdivision, site development plans, and alternative compliance applications. It also includes assembly, review, and processing of data and work on land development related projects and carrying out official recording procedures. Other administrative duties include answering telephone calls and planner of the day duties, emailed inquiries, composing letters, scheduling meetings, checking estimates and answering freedom of information requests and providing support to the Design Advisory Panel.

Starting salary hiring range: $27.23 - $30.71 $56,645 - $63,886. This is the anticipated starting salary range for this position. Please note that the final salary will be determined by the Office of Human Resources, commensurate with experience and aligned to ensure internal equity with similarly situated roles.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Plan Processing and Review Coordination:

• Accept plan submissions from developers, engineers, and contractors.
• Track and review plans for completeness and consistency.
• Distribute plans to designated reviewing agencies.
• Schedule meetings with review agencies and boards.
• Prepare routine plan approval letters.
• Record plats and documents in the land records office.
• Answer routine public inquiries regarding plans processing procedures.
• Assess and process fees for plan submissions, alternative compliance applications, and posters.
• Coordinate with applicants regarding missing or incorrect ProjectDox submission information.
• Process letters and plans for signature and circulate to appropriate signatories.

Technical Support, Reporting and Data Management:

• Regularly update and maintain information on the Department website.
• Gather technical and statistical data for land development and related studies.
• Maintains routine records of operations processed and prepare reports regarding alternative compliance requests, necessary disturbance requests, and other reporting required by the County and State regarding subdivision and land development review and approvals.
• Update database for subdivision plan processing information and pre-submission requests.
• Process, assign, track, and maintain project files in ProjectDox.
• Conduct testing, operational maintenance, and monitoring of DPZ's ProjectDox electronic plan review system.
• Maintain the house numbering and street addressing records.
• Prepare tracking letters and maintain related databases.
• Maintain digital and paper files for the Division.

Public Engagement & Meeting Support:

• Complete data entry and prepare posters for pre-submission community meetings and Planning Board cases.
• Provide support to the Design Advisory Panel, including preparing materials and agendas, recording meetings, attending meetings, taking notes, and drafting accurate meeting minutes. Meetings occur up to twice a month in the evening.
• Update web content related to meetings and panel activities.

Inspections and Inter-Agency Coordination:

• Coordinate landscape plan and forest conservation plan inspections with developers and the Department of Recreation and Parks.

Records, Research and FOIA Support:

• Research and compile property records.
• Coordinates responses to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

Administrative and Clerical Support:

• Provide clerical and administrative support to the Division and Division Chief, including processing mail, creating folders, memos, and letters, filing, and maintaining official records.
• Arrange appointments or meeting schedules for the Division Chief, including contacting participants and preparing materials.

Minimum Required Education/Experience

High School Diploma or GED and two (2) years' related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred education, knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of office practices and procedures; business correspondence; record keeping systems; office machine operation; English grammar, including usage and composition; telephone etiquette.
• Knowledge of the nomenclature, symbols, methods, and techniques used in preparing planning maps, development plans, and chart preparation.
• Some knowledge of the methods and techniques of planning activities and operations.
• Skill in the interpretation of maps, sketches, and development plans.
• Ability to interpret and apply the various statutes, codes, and regulations applicable to planning activities to process assigned procedures and operations.
• Necessary skills to work independently to organize, carry out, and maintain control over complex office operations and employee issues.
• Ability to express ideas, effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work in a cooperative, courteous, and effective manner with associates and the public.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in deciding when to act independently and when to refer situations to higher authority.
• Ability to use Microsoft Windows based software and other software applications on personal computer (Word, Windows, Excel, etc.) with basic knowledge of GIS.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to touch, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Language Skills, Mathematical Skills, and Reasoning Ability

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.