Description

Are you passionate about the built environment? Do you enjoy using real estate market analytics to develop innovative master plans and land use policy?If so, the Montgomery County Planning Department is where you want to be! We are currently seeking an experiencedReal Estate Market Researcherfor our Research and Strategic Projects (R&SP) Division. This person will serve as an important subject matter expert, advising the Planning Department and the Planning Board on real estate market conditions, financial analysis, and the economic feasibility of land use proposals in Montgomery County. This position is an opportunity to work on an exciting range of projects, including original research, in a dynamic public planning agency and serve as a vital subject matter expert.

Montgomery Planning is part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). For over 95 years, M-NCPPC has had a national reputation for excellence in planning, and today serves a culturally diverse population of over one million people on the border of Washington, D.C. in Montgomery County. We provide county-wide planning functions including long range planning, as well as reviews of development applications in diverse built environments of downtown urban districts, suburban communities, and agricultural areas. We have pioneered nationally modeled programs in agricultural preservation, inclusionary housing, and transit-oriented design. To learn more about who we are and what we do, we encourage you to watch this brief video here and visit our website at www.montgomeryplanning.org.

The Research and Strategic Projects (R&SP) Division serves as a "think tank" by providing insightful, understandable, and data-driven analysis and policy-relevant research on land use, demographics, economic indicators, real estate, and other markets such as employment and housing. The selected candidate is expected to have experience conducting market and real estate feasibility studies, including building pro formas and conducting residual land value analysis. It is also desirable for the candidate to have a strong understanding of land use planning principles and how the analysis of real estate feasibility and public finance works with the overall land development plan process.

In addition to being a creative and analytical thinker, it is preferable that the candidate possess strong presentation and writing skills, strong skills in building ongoing partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, and the ability to distill and communicate findings from complex analysis that are understandable to and influential for a range of audiences, including interdisciplinary planning department staff, planning board members, and the general public.

Examples of Important Duties

* Serve as the primary subject matter expert on real estate market and development feasibility analysis for master plans, development review, research studies, and other short- and long-term land use policy issues.

* Conduct analytical studies of County real estate market and economic conditions for a range of product types.

* Develop financial models to analyze build out scenario feasibility for master plans.

* Conduct residual land value analysis to assess redevelopment potential of sites at different densities.

* Collaborate with interdisciplinary professionals on master plan teams to develop recommendations and implementation strategies that are feasible given market conditions.

* Develop clear and compelling presentations to the Planning Board, County Council, County Executive, County Departments, and other key regional stakeholders.

* Develop scopes of services and manage work of outside consultants conducting additional real estate market and feasibility studies.

As the Real Estate Market Researcher, you will serve as the lead researcher and coordinator of real estate market assessments for the department, conduct market research, monitor economic conditions, develop basic pro formats to assess development feasibility, and present your findings to master plans teams, the community, the Planning Board, and other stakeholders. You will also manage the work of consultants to provide independent assessments of market conditions.

Minimum Qualifications

* Bachelor's Degree in Planning, Geography, Architecture, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field.

* Four (4) years of progressively responsible professional level planning experience related to specific area of assignment such as transportation planning, environmental planning or urban planning.

* An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total eight (8) years.

* Valid driver's license (depending on area of assignment) in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver's license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee's ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.

In addition to the minimum qualifications, a master's degree in planning, real estate, finance, or equivalent disciplines related to the job function is a plus!

ADDITIONAL DESIRED SKILLS:

* Advanced user of Excel

* Experience with Costar and other real estate data sources

* Previous experience working with government agencies is desirable

Supplemental Information

Classification Specification: Planner III (2244)

ABOUT US

The M-NCPPC offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, generous leave plans, an employee pension plan, and a deferred compensation plan. Positions may qualify for public service student loan forgiveness. Montgomery Planning is conveniently located minutes from Washington, DC in downtown Wheaton, MD next to the Wheaton Metro Station, several bus lines, and bikeshare. A commuter stipend is available. Telework opportunities (up to two days a week) and tuition assistance are also available. We work in one of the first LEED Platinum-certified government-owned office buildings in Maryland. Check it outhere!

Diversity Statement

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.

Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or 301-###-#### (Maryland Relay 7-1-1)

M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.

The salary range listed above represents the earning potential for this position. Salary is commensurate with experience. This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus (external candidates only).