Principal Planner I – Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator

Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday-Friday; 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.; partial telework may be available in accordance with Division policies; full benefits
 
This professional position in the Department of Long-Range Planning is responsible for administering a County-wide bicycle and pedestrian program. This position will promote mobility and safety, initiate and review projects, and lead implementation of the Bikeways and Trails plan and its successor plans. This position is also responsible for the coordination of safety education with other County departments and external stakeholders including bike/ped advocacy groups, tourism, and health-focused organizations. Direction may be given to support staff; supervision is received from the Department Head.

NOTE: The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions, which are calculated per County policy.  For external hires, offers are made at the base wage rate, with limited exception.

Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members.  If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.  

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays (10 and 11 month employees may not receive all holidays)
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan 
  • Vesting after 5 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan

NOTE: Benefited employees will accrue service and leave based on the FTE and/or hours worked per calendar year. 

For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage.

• Serve as community advocate and subject matter expert on County-wide bicycle and pedestrian program to build a safe interconnected bike and pedestrian network
• Manage planning studies that prioritize future projects
• Direct and prioritize projects for future Capital Improvement Programs (CIP)
• Conduct research and prepare reports on a variety of planning and bicycle/pedestrian related topics
• Assist Project Managers with developing projects from concept to final design to include managing community input/outreach, pursuing and securing funding resources, and managing grants 
• Coordinate across Division, County, and external (state and other local) organizations multidisciplinary teams to initiate, design, develop, and implement programs and projects
• Identify, analyze, and coordinate data needs, collection, and reports to note progress for improving and measuring the accessibility, use, and safety of bicycle and pedestrian facilities, including trails, sidewalks, and bike paths/ lanes
• Coordinate with Planning staff for reviews on subdivision land use policies, design manuals and regulations, zoning ordinances, adequate public facilities, site development plans, and improvement plans
• Ensure the expansion of safe and interconnected bicycle and pedestrian networks through private and public funding of reconstruction, repaving, and new capital projects
• Work with key constituent groups including employers, schools, government agencies, social service groups, advocacy groups, tourism destinations, and others to encourage and assure safe bike and pedestrian travel
• Develop updates to the Bikeways and Trails Plan, Trail Design Standards and Planning Guidelines, and other transportation planning documents
• Serve as a liaison to the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission and coordinate with similar groups at the City of Frederick and other municipalities
• Prepare transportation content for all associated components of the County Comprehensive Plan, to include content with an active transportation and multi-modal accessibility focus
• Provide professional planning assistance to members of the community and various board and commissions on bicycle and pedestrian projects
• Drive county vehicle to perform field inspections to gather data relevant to studies and projects
• Make and prepare presentations on educational and promotional information to the public and elected officials
• As directed, coordinate with local, regional, and state agencies related to planning and bicycle/pedestrian programs
• Perform other related duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an employee must be able to perform all essential functions satisfactorily. Any employee's position may not be assigned all functions or equipment listed above, and the examples may not cover all functions or equipment that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential functions.

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  

• Bachelor's degree in urban or regional planning, geography, public administration, or a related field
• Minimum of 4 years of work experience in urban or regional planning, geography, public administration, or a related field
• Possession of a driver's license

Substitutions for the above-listed required education and experience are a Master’s Degree in urban or regional planning, geography, public administration, or a related field with 2 years work experience as described above. 


KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:
A successful incumbent operating in this role displays the following:

• Ability to maintain County Authorized Driver privileges
• Advanced knowledge of planning processes, procedures, and policies
• Knowledge of County Ordinances and Regulations
• Knowledge of County information systems 
• Knowledge of relevant software programs 
• Advanced knowledge of best practices and guidelines and how they are applicable to applications  
• Knowledge of the reporting criteria and the experience to analyze raw data 
• Advanced knowledge of planning, zoning, development review 
• Knowledge in the principles and practices of planning, design and implementation of bicycle and pedestrian facilities and programs
• Working knowledge of transportation related projects in the areas of systems and project (NEPA) planning
• Knowledge of Maryland State Highway standards, specifications relating to bicycle and pedestrian facilities
• Skilled in verbal and written communication 
• Skilled in public speaking 
• Skilled in customer service
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with consultants, co-workers, government agencies and the general public
• Ability to analyze and process complex information 
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and to use effective time management skills 
• Ability to research and maneuver through various ordinances to interpret language 
• Ability to review plans and process information into presentation form 
• Ability to prepare reports and materials that exhibit a proper organization of ideas and content and a high degree of professionalism in the layout and format of text, graphics, and tables
• Ability to respond in a timely manner and demonstrate tact when interacting with applicants and the general public 
• Ability to maintain a positive and constructive relationship with co-workers and County officials 

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Planning or engineering work experience at the local or state government level   
• Work experience or training using electronic plan review software

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly sit; frequently walk and perform repetitive motions; occasionally reach; and rarely climb, stoop, lift up to 20 pounds, and drive
• While working in the position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors; occasionally work outdoors; and rarely walk on uneven ground and work in dirty environments

• Available for evening and weekend work hours when required for special meetings and programs

EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include):

1. An evaluation of training and experience
2. One or more interviews