Small Business Navigator

Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday – Friday; 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. full-benefits. Partial teleworking schedule may be available in accordance with Division policies.

This position serves as the lead coordinator and project manager for Division of Planning and Permitting, overseeing planning, development review, zoning, permitting and inspection processes for small businesses, homeowners, and other applicants. The role provides guidance, and facilities effective and efficient communication by helping to expedite Division’s processes and resolve issues for large, complex capital improvement projects (CIP), including FCPS and other county-priority initiatives. The position provides technical and procedural oversight from initial planning through occupancy, ensures regulatory compliance, and leads process and workflow improvement efforts that reduce barriers and enhance service delivery. The role also supports strategic initiatives of the County Executive and Administration by resolving high-level issues, advising leadership on regulatory or policy changes, and coordinating with municipalities and agency partners. Direction is given to staff; supervision is received from the Deputy Division Director of Planning and Permitting.

• 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.

• Lead and manage complex projects, including CIP, FCPS, and county-priority initiatives, directing project activities from planning and design through construction and occupancy 
• Provide effective and efficient support to ensure projects move through the planning, permitting, and construction processes in an expedited manner
• Oversee and ensure the effective operation of division processes across planning, development review, permitting, and inspections, ensuring coordination across all workgroups and partner agencies 
• Serve as the principal coordinator for small businesses, homeowners, and applicants, directing communication, engagement, and navigation through planning and permitting processes 
• Represent the division in high-level interactions with senior managers, division directors, department heads, municipalities, and elected officials to ensure leadership priorities, initiatives, and strategic directives are implemented effectively 
• Carry out strategic initiatives of the County Executive and County Administration by eliminating barriers, improving programs, and providing high-visibility support based on evolving priorities
• Advise the County Executive, County Administration, County Council, Directors and other lead agencies, of any action needed to assist small business to comply with County planning and permitting regulations and requirements
• Lead conflict resolution and cross-agency problem-solving by evaluating issues, coordinating with technical experts, and implementing compliant and effective solutions to complex permitting, development, or inspection challenges 
• Oversee and lead workflow and process improvements and policy changes by analyzing division operations, identifying bottlenecks, and implementing updated procedures that enhance efficiency and reduce barriers for small businesses 
• Provide direction and guidance to staff across multiple disciplines involved in development review, zoning, permitting, engineering, inspections, and communications 
• Manage business inquiries and project assignments by directing applicants through pre-application, review, permitting, inspection, and completion phases 
• Provide oversight of applicant assistance, including reviewing complex issues, conducting independent research, offering recommendations, and resolving permitting or application conflicts 
• Lead stakeholder engagement along with Office of Economic Development and represent the division in public-facing activities, including project briefings, presentations, workshops, and outreach efforts to chambers of commerce, realtor associations, municipalities, and community groups 
• Direct the development, implementation, and improvement of standard operating procedures governing small business interaction, client communication, and project workflow 
• Develop handouts and informational bulletins that outline the review and approval processes for applicants 

• Investigate and resolve challenges applicants face while working through the planning, zoning and permitting application and approval processes, work closely with other agencies on behalf of those applicants
• Maintain and update applicant support systems, including databases, metrics, reports, and annual summaries to leadership and elected officials
• Participate in pre-application meetings with business owners, contractors, and review agencies
• Assist other staff in responding to emails and calls from applicants and other stakeholders
• Coordinate with the Office of Economic Development and division communications staff to develop and update public-facing resources that help applicants understand and navigate regulatory requirements
• Conduct site visits and field assessments with small business owners to evaluate project conditions, resolve issues, and ensure alignment with regulatory requirements
• 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 planning, civil engineering, construction management, public administration, or a related field
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in planning, zoning, land use, construction codes, or a closely related field

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

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR: 

• Experience working with a municipal or county government
• Work experience applying planning and permitting policies and procedures

• While working in this position, the employee is required to consistently sit and rarely lift up to 20 pounds
• While working in this position, the employee is required to consistently work indoors

• Failure to meet or maintain the minimum qualifications or additional requirements may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination
• Requires the ability to arrange and complete travel to various sites (using a car or other reliable transportation)
• Available for varied working hours (which may include evening hours) for scheduled meetings, workshops and other departmental priorities

KIND OF EXAMINATION (may include):