Planner I (10690, Grade 20)

Salary: $57,747.00 - $102,275.00 Annually
Location : Wheaton, MD
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 10690
Department: MC Planning
Division: Communications & Engagement
Opening Date: 06/01/2026
Closing Date: 6/22/2026 11:59 PM Eastern


Description


Do you have a passion for planning and exceptional customer service skills, effective communication skills, and a basic understanding of GIS? If this sounds like you, then the Montgomery County Planning Department is where you want to be! We are currently seeking a Planner I to join our Communications and Engagement Division. This position will require excellent customer service skills, knowledge of planning, and basic GIS knowledge to review development plans for addressing and permitting purposes and provide planning and development information to the public.
Examples of Important Duties
In this role, you will:

• Review submitted development applications for compliance with submittal requirements, accuracy, and completeness; including applications that are submitted both electronically and by paper.
• Review and analyze regulatory development plans for completeness and compliance with local ordinances and guidelines, and determine compliance with Preliminary Plans, Site Plans, Forest Conservation Plans, and Conditional Use Plans.
• Maintain the Department's application database and associated GIS layers.
• Identify application deficiencies and changes needed for compliance and make recommendations and decisions.
• Prepare and disseminate detailed written review comments on application issues and discuss them with applicants and their representatives.
• Conduct research and analysis necessary to determine the applicability of codes and guidelines to individual properties and advise developers and property owners on the applicability and next steps for development.
• Communicate and interact effectively with developers, builders, engineers, architects, and attorneys to explain application procedures and submittal requirements.
• Escalate issues to supervisor.
• Provide expert knowledge of:
  1. Montgomery County Codes, subdivision regulations, forest conservation law, and Planning Board conditions of approval
  2. Potential development of properties
  3. Regulatory development application requirements
• Train other Planners on utilizing GIS and applying the local ordinances and guidelines to provide information services.
• Utilize electronic plan review, databases, and GIS to review and research development plans, addressing plans, and permit applications and issue final approval.

In this role, you will:

• Review submitted development applications for compliance with submittal requirements, accuracy, and completeness; including applications that are submitted both electronically and by paper.
• Review and analyze regulatory development plans for completeness and compliance with local ordinances and guidelines, and determine compliance with Preliminary Plans, Site Plans, Forest Conservation Plans, and Conditional Use Plans.
• Maintain the Department's application database and associated GIS layers.
• Identify application deficiencies and changes needed for compliance and make recommendations and decisions.
• Prepare and disseminate detailed written review comments on application issues and discuss them with applicants and their representatives.
• Conduct research and analysis necessary to determine the applicability of codes and guidelines to individual properties and advise developers and property owners on the applicability and next steps for development.
• Communicate and interact effectively with developers, builders, engineers, architects, and attorneys to explain application procedures and submittal requirements.
• Escalate issues to supervisor.
• Provide expert knowledge of:
  1. Montgomery County Codes, subdivision regulations, forest conservation law, and Planning Board conditions of approval
  2. Potential development of properties
  3. Regulatory development application requirements
• Train other Planners on utilizing GIS and applying the local ordinances and guidelines to provide information services.
• Utilize electronic plan review, databases, and GIS to review and research development plans, addressing plans, and permit applications and issue final approval.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor's Degree in Planning, Geography, Architecture, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field.
2. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total four (4) years.
3. 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.

Supplemental Information
Classification Specification: Planner I


About Us
Montgomery Planning is part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). For nearly 100 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 countywide 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 and visit our website at


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.

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).

May be subject to medical, drug, and alcohol testing.

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 application at View phone number on click.appcast.io (Maryland Relay 7-1-1). M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.
THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION


2026 BENEFIT SUMMARY FOR MERIT SYSTEM EMPLOYEES


The following benefit summary is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor should be construed as an employment agreement with the M-NCPPC, implied or actual. It is not all-inclusive and is subject to change. Benefits listed are extended to all Merit System employees of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). All plans are optional except the Defined Benefit and Long-Term Disability plans.

Eligibility
You have 45 days from your hire date to elect your benefits. Your coverage begins on the first of the month following receipt of your enrollment forms and required documentation.

Retirement Programs

• Defined Benefit Plan (Mandatory Participation) - Plan E excludes FOP members.

Plan Employee Contribution Plan C 9.5%* of base salary (FOP members only) Plan E 4% of base salary up to maximum Social Security Wage Base (SSWB) and 8% in excess of SSWB.

• 457 (b) Plan (Optional) (Pre-tax and Roth)
• Traditional and Roth IRAs (Optional)
• Retiree Healthcare - Eligibility requires, at least 10 years of eligible service and continuous enrollment in M-NCPPC plans (or proof of continuous enrollment in comparable plans) during the 36 months immediately preceding your retirement date. Premium cost share based on years of service

Health Insurance Plans (FOP Members Pay 23% for Medical, Prescription and Dental and same as all other employees for Vision.) All other employees pay percentage below.*

• Medical
  • Kaiser Permanente Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) - (15%)
  • UnitedHealthcare Select Exclusive Provider Organization Health Plan (EPO) - (20%)
  • UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus Point of Service (POS) - (20%)
• Prescription - CVS Caremark - (15%)
• Dental - Delta Dental PPO and DeltaCare USA HMO - (20%)
• Vision - EyeMed - (80% of Low Option plan paid by Commission. Any balance paid by employee.)
  • Low, moderate, and high options are available. Frequency of covered services differs.

Flexible Spending Accounts (Employee Pays 100%)

• Medical Account - Maximum annual contribution: $3,300
• Dependent Care Account - Maximum annual contribution: $7,500

Long-Term Disability Insurance (Mandatory Participation)

• Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80% (FOP Members Pay 100%)
• Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary, maximum of $6,000/month

Supplemental Long-Term Disability Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)

• Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary that exceeds $108,000; capped at $216,000

Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80%)

• Two (2) times base salary; maximum benefit is $200,000 for each
• Automatic coverage with opt-out provision

Supplemental and Spouse/Dependent Life Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)

• Supplemental - 1,2,3,4, or 5 times base salary; maximum benefit is $750,000
• Spouse/Dependent Combination - $10,000/$5,000, $20,000/$10,000, or $30,000/$15,000

Sick Leave Bank (Contribution and Benefit hours prorated for part-time employees)

• Employees have 60 days from date of hire to enroll.
• Employee contributes 8 leave hours each year
• Annually covers up to 688 hours for own serious medical condition, and 480 hours for parental responsibilities (birth, adoption or foster care), and 80-160 hours for serious medical condition of an immediate family member

Leave Programs

• Annual: 15 days per year
• Personal: 3 days per year (12-month waiting period)
• Sick: 15 days per year
• Holidays: 11 days per year

Other Benefits

• Credit Union
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Legal Services Plan
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Work-Life Program

For a more detailed description of benefits, please contact the Commission's Health and Benefits Office at or View phone number on click.appcast.io.