Planning and Zoning Director

Job Description

This is a highly responsible professional and administrative position in the Town of Bel Air Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD). As Department Head, the Director manages and supervises all Planning Department personnel. The Director provides administrative and technical assistance in planning matters to the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners and Planning Commission. The Director will also coordinate subordinates regarding the Board of Appeals, Historic Preservation Commission, and the Tree Committee.

The Director is responsible to and works under the direct supervision of the Town Administrator.

Fiscal Year 2026 Pay Range: $94,299 to 165,665.

• Manage the overall land use planning function for the Town. Oversee the review of construction and development plans and specifications for compliance with appropriate land use and zoning laws and regulations. Serve as Zoning Administrator for the Town.
• Responsible for preparation and enforcement of the Comprehensive Plan and the Town Development Regulations.
• Responsible for the community development aspects and the planning function for the Town of Bel Air in coordination with relevant Town departments and Commissions/Boards.
• Responsible for providing staff support to the Planning Commission, Board of Appeals, Historic Preservation Commission and the Tree Committee. Responsible for overall transportation planning and parking management within the Town.
• Testify as an expert witness before the Circuit Court of Harford County and/or the District Court of Maryland for all matters pertaining to the Planning Commission, Board of Appeals, and before the courts as the Zoning Administrator.
• Coordinate transportation and parking needs with other department heads and key staff, through the NTMP (Neighborhood Transportation Management Program) Committee. Coordinate transportation and parking needs with other governmental agencies as necessary.
• Responsible for park development and coordination of acquisition and development of Town park land with Harford County Department of Parks and Recreation. Provide oversight and design input for park land development projects.
• Responsible for environmental planning activities including forest conservation, floodplain and wetland protection programs. Coordinate these activities through the Deputy Director and appropriate Federal and State agencies, as well as the Town Department of Public Works.
• Responsible for providing technical assistance on annexation requests and oversight of the annexation process, as required by the State of Maryland.
  Serve as Town representative in planning related functions to State, County, and municipal agencies. Prepare reports, surveys, legislation, and in-depth studies on issues affecting planning and community development within the Town. Organize seminars and meetings related to areas of responsibility.
• Planning liaison to the Maryland Municipal League, Maryland Department of Planning, Harford County, and other municipalities.
• Interdepartmental coordination for sustainability, parking, capital improvement, wellness and related committees.
• Responsible for preparation of the department budget and for fiscal accounting of applicable accounts related to the DPCD.
• Coordinate the writing of legislation and associated regulations with the Town Attorney and related department heads.
• Responsible for facility planning and development for all Town buildings and property in coordination with the Director of Public Works.
• Liaison to the Bel Air Farmers Market (BAFM).
• Responsible for coordination and administration of The Sustainability Work Group.
• Coordinate volunteer activities and scout projects.
• Attend required evening meetings.

• Ability to plan and direct the work of others in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale.
• Ability to prepare and present ideas and information clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to analyze and interpret plans and specifications for buildings, streets, roads, utilities, landscaping and other improvements of a public or private nature.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles of urban and regional planning; pertinent laws and ordinances at all levels of government; research methods and functions of local inter-governmental agencies; and current literature and recent developments in the fields of urban planning, historic preservation, and environmental planning.
• Thorough knowledge of economics, municipal finance and sociology as they apply to plans.
• Working Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software.
• An active Maryland Landscape Architect Registration Examination (L.A.R.E.) license or ability to obtain a license.
• Must have a valid driver's license.

• Master's degree in planning or related field such as public administration or urban studies from an accredited college with five (5) years of professional experience or a bachelor’s degree with ten (10) years of…