City of Laurel – Deputy Director

• Deputy Director
• City of Laurel
• Department: Economic and Community Department
• Salary: $44.95/hr. (Estimated annual $81,809)
• Grade: 119-1
• FLSA Status: Exempt (Not Eligible for Overtime)
• Work Schedule: 9:00 AM -5:00 PM Monday – Friday (evening meetings and special events)
• Filing Deadline: January 2, 2026

SUMMARY – The Deputy Director of the Department of Economic and Community Development is an integral part of the Mayor’s Senior Management Team responsible for the assistance in the supervision and facilitation of key decisions concerning the day-to-day operations of the department along with the Director. The work is performed under the supervision of the Director, but considerable leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative. The Deputy Director helps develop and implement short and long-term planning efforts which align with the City’s strategic priorities to create a strong and vibrant community. In this position, the Deputy Director will focus on planning and zoning initiatives for the City, doing routine and complicated planning and zoning tasks and collaborating with a small team of planners. Work includes but is not limited to: review and update of the City’s Master Plan, the Unified Land Development Code, historic preservation, affordable housing, zoning compliance, administration, coordination, and related work. The department also conducts economic and community development activities, and the Deputy Director may be called upon to perform economic development, business recruitment and retention, research and implementation of neighborhood goals, business development, and urban revitalization. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this position establish and maintain exceptional working relationships with the City Administration, the Department of Fire Marshall and Permit Services, other employees, local, state, and federal elected officials, representatives of neighborhood organizations, business/property owners, developers/engineers, real estate agents, lawyers, and the public. The Deputy Director may represent the Department at any time as requested by the Director and may serve as Acting Director in the absence of the Director.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.

• Supervises and oversees the daily operations and activities of the Economic and Community Development Department.
• Assists in personnel matters, including recruitment, development, and maintenance of good working relationships, and evaluation of department personnel.
• Provides effective professional liaison between department or office head and citizens, the news media, and professionals and executives from other agencies and businesses.
• Coordinates in-house projects, including development of intra- and interdepartmental or agency agreements.
• Performs complex studies and prepares reports on departmental services and activities.
• Responds to inquiries from other jurisdictions, agencies, and the general public.
• Prepares City ordinances and updates/revisions to existing City Zoning and Subdivision Regulations, and the City Code.
• Interprets the City of Laurel Unified Land Development Code.
• Performs research for special planning studies; summarizes and analyzes data; prepares reports.
• Reviews special exception, variance, map amendment, and text amendment applications.
• Coordinates interagency actions on special reports and studies.
• Assists developers, builders, applicants, and the public to locate useful information, to comply with City requirements and to follow required procedures.
• Prepares staff reports and assists developers to revise site plans and subdivision plats according to approved changes.
• Reviews and reports on proposed legislation affecting existing or contemplated planning programs.
• Serves as project manager to provide advice and technical assistance on approved projects through completion of site development permit issuance; which includes site-work, grading and possible bond permits.
• Reviews and approves permits for work that complies with approved site plans.
• Performs on-site inspections to determine conformance with approved plans and permits.
• Provides information regarding the existing and future development of the City to developers and the public.
• In the event of an emergency, initiates contacts with emergency services agencies.
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
• Represents the Department of Economic and Community Development at meetings and conferences as assigned.
• Willingly and cooperatively accepts other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Provide regular staff support to the Planning Commission and Board of Appeals and to the Historic District Commission and Citizens Advisory Committees as necessary
• Attend meetings, including but not limited to: Mayor and City Council, Community Redevelopment Authority, Center for Mobility, Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments (WMCOG): Region Forward and Planning Director meetings, and Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), as needed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES –The employee is responsible with assisting the Director with the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the Department’s staff and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the policies of the City, the Department and applicable laws. Responsibilities include assisting in making recommendations to hire; training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; recommending rewards and discipline, and addressing complaints and resolving problems.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS – The minimum eligibility requirements for this position are as follows:

• Background – Applicant must be a citizen of the United States (U.S.) with no convictions of a felony or a serious crime. Applicant must also complete a background examination that may include but is not limited to, a criminal history check, education and professional certification verification, credit check and drug testing before employment with the City.
• Education / Experience – A Bachelor’s Degree is required in Urban Studies, City or Regional Planning, Public Administration, Economic Development, or related area, along with three (3) years of broad range planning and/or regulatory experience, including a minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience. For education obtained outside the U.S., at the time of application, the applicant is required to provide proof of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation.
• Certificates, Licenses, Registrations – Must possess a Maryland Class “C” Driver’s License, or a comparable driver’s license issued by the employee’s state of residence, and a proven safe driving record. Completion of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) command courses required by the City Office of Emergency Management within six (6) months of employment with the City. Applicants credentialed by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) are encouraged to apply.

MUST BE ABLE TO PASS A PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG SCREEN AND A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK.

The City of Laurel is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Posting Eligibility Requirements for In-House Applicants:

1. You must meet the qualifications listed above.
2. You must meet the established criteria pertaining to promotion or transfer.
3. Your most recent evaluation must reflect your job performance as Satisfactory or better.

Job Posting Application Procedure for In-House Applicants:

1. Complete a memorandum requesting consideration for the announced vacancy and send it along with a copy of your resume to BAPS and your Department Director by the closing date above.
2. You will be contacted within 5 working days after the closing date of this notice.