Community Planner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : City Hall, 31 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: FY2026-01108
Department: Planning & Code Administration
Division: Planning (1194)
Opening Date: 06/29/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
Description
The of the City of Gaithersburg is accepting applications for a full-time Community Planner to perform a variety of responsibilities primarily related to community planning, zoning, and land use. We are looking for a talented professional who is interested in joining a collaborative and innovative team that plays a key role in the planning and development of one of the largest cities in Maryland -- Gaithersburg, which has just over 70,000 residents and is located in the heart of Montgomery County.
As part of the Community Planning team, the successful candidate will perform professional and technical work reviewing site development plans and applying regulations governing community development, zoning, and land use. The Planner works directly with the public to respond to general zoning inquiries, and collect, analyze, interpret, and present technical land use, environmental, zoning, and other City planning data. The ideal candidate must possess basic knowledge of principles and practices of planning and zoning, have the ability to review site development applications, possess excellent research and writing skills, and be able to interact easily with City officials, representatives of other governmental agencies, members of commissions and boards, and the public.
This position may be filled at the Planner I or Planner II level, depending on qualifications. Starting salary is negotiable within the anticipated hiring range (see below) and will be offered at a level consistent with the experience and qualifications of the candidate:
Planner I - $65,000 - $74,000
Planner II - $81,000 - $90,000
We provide comprehensive insurance benefits (medical, dental, vision, life), paid time off, generous retirement contributions, tools to assist with paying down student loan debt and managing student loans, excellent work/life balance, and opportunities for professional growth and career progression.
Job Functions
What you will do with us:

• Process and review planning applications for compliance with City Code and policies.
• Prepare planning reports and present materials at public meetings.
• Utilize the City's Geographic Information System (GIS) to create and maintain the planning department's database, analyze data, and prepare maps and data layers for planning and reporting purposes.
• Assist committee and board staff liaisons with meetings and agenda packages.
• Provide outstanding service, pursue continuous improvement, and exceed expectations.

Key responsibilities are highlighted above; please click the appropriate link to view the classification description for the and the positions. The classification description indicates the full salary range established for these positions to provide opportunity for growth and development (Grades 106 and 109, respectively, in the City's FY 2027 Schedule of Salary Ranges.
Qualifications
What you will need to be considered:

• Bachelor's Degree in Urban/Regional Planning, Urban Studies, Engineering, Architecture, or closely related field.
• At least one year of planning-related experience, including internships, preferably at the regional or local government level, or any acceptable equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to satisfactorily perform job duties.
• Ability to handle multiple projects effectively with demonstrated attention to detail.
• Strong, effective writing skills.
• Valid driver's license and safe driving record.

To be considered for a Planner II level position, you will need:

• A Bachelor's Degree in Urban Studies, Urban and Regional Planning, Engineering, Architecture, or closely related field, and 6 years of progressively responsible professional planning experience (experience at the regional or local government level preferred); OR
• A Master's Degree in Urban Studies, Urban and Regional Planning, Engineering, Architecture, or closely related field and 5 years of progressively responsible planning experience (experience at the regional or local government level preferred). (Any acceptable equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to satisfactorily perform the functions of the position is qualifying.)
• In-depth knowledge of the principles and practices of planning and zoning.
• Demonstrated ability to manage more complex projects and perform work with more autonomy.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification (preferred),

Additional Information
Interested applicants must submit the following to be considered:

• A complete online application
• Current Resume (attached to the online application)
• Letter of interest (attached to the online application) - Your letter of interest should include why you are interested in the position and what specific skills and abilities make you uniquely qualified to serve in this position.

Review of applications will begin immediately, so prompt application is strongly encouraged. The position will remain open until filled; recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of qualified applications are received or all hiring decisions have been made.
This is a full-time salaried "exempt" position requiring a minimum of 40 hours per week (not eligible for overtime compensation under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the City's personnel regulations). Attendance at some early morning/evening public meetings or events and other work outside of regular business hours is required. Direct deposit of paychecks is a condition of employment for all City of Gaithersburg employees.
The successful candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation. The City has established an alcohol-free, drug-free, and smoke-free workplace which applies to any person employed by, conducting business with, or applying for a position with the City. Each employee, as a condition of their employment, may be required to participate in pre-employment and reasonable suspicion testing. Employees classified as safety sensitive are also subject to immediate post accident and random testing.
For more information about the position, contact Community Planning Manager Jasmine Forbes at 240.805.1069 or Questions regarding the online application process may be directed to the Department of Human Resources at 301.258.6327 or
This recruitment will establish an eligibility list which will be used to fill the current vacancies and may be used to fill other openings in this classification which occur in the next 12 months.
The City of Gaithersburg offers its full-time employees a broad range of benefits to enhance their personal and professional lives. Employees are eligible on their first day of employment (unless otherwise specified). We provide employees with competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and an environment that supports a healthy work/life balance.
HEALTH BENEFITS

• Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage - employer pays 85% of premium in each tier
• Multi-tiered coverage options (single, single + spouse, single + child, single + children, family)
• Retirement Health Savings contribution (for non-participants in medical or dental plans)

Medical Insurance

• CIGNA HealthCare Open Access Plan
• Prescription Drug Plan
• Wellness Initiatives

Dental Insurance

• Sun Life Indemnity Plan
• Use a dentist of choice or participating dentist for increased savings
• Basic or Enhanced Plans offered

Vision Insurance

• National Vision Administrators
• Use a provider of choice or participating provider for increased savings

RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS

• Eligible for immediate enrollment in all plans upon hire
• 401A - Employer contribution equivalent to 8% of employee's annual base salary; fully vested after 5 years
• 401K - Employer 3% matching contribution on the first 5% of employee's annual base salary contributed by the employee; fully vested after 5 years
• 401A Supplemental - Additional 5% employer contribution to eligible employees in the Public Works and Police Departments who have physically demanding jobs on a consistent basis; fully vested after 10 years
• 457-deferred compensation plan and Roth IRA (employee contributions only)

PAID LEAVE

• Vacation (12 - 24 days accrued annually; accrual rate based on years of service)
• Sick Leave (13 days accrued annually; unlimited accrual)
• Personal Leave (28 hours granted annually)
• Family Care Leave (up to 8 weeks in rolling 12-month period for eligible employees) to care for newborn/newly adopted/newly placed child or family member
• Holidays (11 holidays observed each year)
• Volunteer Service (12 hours granted annually)
• Jury duty, bereavement leave, military leave (as needed)

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tools to assist with paying down student loan debt and managing student loans
• Employer paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• Long-Term Disability & Workers' Compensation Insurance
• Multilingual Stipend ($2,080 per year for eligible employees, paid biweekly)
• Language Learning Program (through Babbel)
• Housing Stipend (Up to $3,600 per year for eligible employees)
• Tuition Assistance (Up to $5,250 per year eligible after 1 year of service)
• Healthy Lifestyle Incentives
• Employee Assistance Program
• First-Time Homebuyer Assistance
• Ongoing Training/Personal Development Programs
• Credit Union
• Recreation & Leisure Opportunities & Discounts
• Direct Deposit (required)

Click on the link below to view general information about the benefits available.
(pdf)
01
Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and may be used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information ("see resume" is not acceptable) may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and certify that your responses can be verified from information included within your application?

• Yes
• No

02
Indicate the highest level of education obtained.

• Some College (No Degree)
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or Higher

03
In what field(s) did you obtain your college degree(s)? (Select all that apply.)

• Transportation
• Urban Studies
• Urban/Regional Planning
• Architecture
• Engineering
• Public Administration
• Other
• No Degree

04
If you responded "Other" to the previous question, please indicate the field(s) of study in which your degree(s) was/were obtained.
05
Do you possess a valid Maryland driver's license or have valid driving privileges in Maryland?

• Yes
• No

06
Are you currently certified with the American Institute of Certified Planners?

• Yes
• No

07
Which of the following best describes your professional work experience at the regional or local planning level? Your application materials must demonstrate and substantiate this experience.

• No experience
• 2 years or less
• More than 2 years and less than 5 years
• 5 years or more

08
Do you have specific regional or local planning experience and/or training in the principles and practices of Community Planning? Your application materials must demonstrate and substantiate this experience.

• Yes
• No

09
Describe the most complex site plan or other planning project for which you had primary or principal responsibility. Your response should include the agency you worked for, the type of project, your specific role and responsibilities on the project, and the other individuals and/or agencies with whom you worked on the project.
10
Do you have experience making presentations before elected/appointed officials and/or citizen groups? If yes, please describe your experience. Include the type of group and subject matter of your presentations, and identify the employer with which your experience was obtained. If no experience, please state "None."
11
Do you have experience reviewing architectural elevations? If yes, please describe your experience. If no, please state "None."
12
Briefly explain your approach to building and maintaining customer satisfaction. Provide an example of a situation where you believe you provided superior customer service to an internal or external customer; and describe how you measured your success.
13
Which of the following best describes your proficiency level in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)?

• None
• Beginner - Occasional use of basic functions
• Intermediate - Frequent use of basic functions
• Advanced - Regular use of advanced functions

14
How did you first learn about this employment opportunity?

• City of Gaithersburg Website
• Job Interest Card Notification
• Indeed
• American Planning Association Website
• APA - Maryland Chapter Website
• GovernmentJobs.com
• Other Website
• Social Media
• Fri