Assistant Counsel, Code Enforcement (NCS) - City of Baltimore, Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals

THIS IS A NON-CIVIL SERVICE POSITION

Salary Range:

$79,507.00 - 127,043.00 Annually

Hiring Salary Range:

$79,507.00 - $103,275.00 Annually

Get to Know Us

Welcome to the City of Baltimore! Experience the reward of a fulfilling career and enjoy the added element of excitement in a vibrant, diverse atmosphere. The City of Baltimore offers limitless opportunities to help drive social impact, both on the job and in the community, while serving its citizens. Join us in making Baltimore a great place to live and work. In the City of Baltimore, we hire great people and provide them with the skills and opportunities to grow toward their career aspirations. If you are looking for a career change or interested in learning more, explore our opportunities and benefits programs. We are excited to have you as a part of the City of Baltimore Team! The city offers medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, optional life, AD&D, and FSA plans. This office also supplies wellness programs, support groups, and workshops. You can learn about our benefits here: https://humanresources.baltimorecity.gov/hr-divisions/benefits  

Job Summary:  

BUILDING BALTIMORE’S FUTURE: WHERE LAW MEETS DEVELOPMENT

About the Role

Baltimore is at a pivotal moment. As part of the Bmore FAST initiative to grow our city and make development more predictable and efficient, the Baltimore Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals (the “BMZA” or “Zoning Board”) seeks an Associate Counsel ready to help transform how development review happens in Baltimore.

This isn’t a typical administrative law position. Yes, you’ll draft resolutions and prepare for biweekly hearings, but you’ll also have the opportunity to stand up new processes, identify inefficiencies in our Zoning Code, and work directly with the Interim Executive Director (who is also the City’s first “Permit Czar”) to implement reforms that matter. You’ll have opportunities to present to the City Council on how proposed legislation will impact development review. You’ll help a frustrated property owner understand where their permit stands in the process. You'll spot a poorly drafted zoning provision and flag it for correction.

We’re looking for someone who wants to do the work—all of it—to make Baltimore’s development review process more orderly, transparent, and efficient while maintaining appropriate safety standards and the Board's independent oversight role. If you’re interested in seeing how the sausage gets made (and making better sausage), this role is for you.

Who You Are

This role is ideal if you’re:

• A recent law school graduate seeking hands-on municipal law experience
• An attorney looking to transition from private practice to a mission-driven public service role at a more sustainable pace
• Someone who wants exposure to how real estate development, land use, and permitting actually work in a major city
• Interested in a potential path toward becoming an Administrative Law Judge or deepening expertise in real estate development and land use law

Essential Functions:

THE FOUNDATION (What keeps the Board running):

• Draft written resolutions of Zoning Board decisions for Board adoption following biweekly BMZA hearings
• Prepare for and attend biweekly BMZA hearings (some evenings required)
• Analyze applications and supporting materials for zoning appeals filed by applicants
• Prepare staff reports and recommendations applying zoning laws, court decisions, and Board precedent
• Draft and revise BMZA rules and regulations as needed
• Respond to inquiries from builders, architects, engineers, attorneys, civic organizations, and the public regarding zoning appeals, procedures, and Board rules
• Advise the Board during hearings on procedural and substantive matters
• Maintain hearing records, minutes, and case files
• Conduct legal research using Westlaw

THE OPPORTUNITY (What makes this role different):

• Present to the Baltimore City Council on anticipated impacts of proposed zoning and land use legislation
• Work with the Interim Executive Director/Permit Czar to implement Bmore FAST process improvements
• Draft new BMZA rules and regulations to improve clarity and efficiency of the appeals process
• Identify opportunities to streamline development review processes while maintaining safety standards and appropriate oversight
• Flag poorly drafted or problematic Zoning Code provisions for future code amendments
• Assist walk-in customers navigating the permitting and appeals process
• Create new standard operating procedures and process documentation
• Help ensure the BMZA’s review process is fair, transparent, and predictable; giving applicants clear guidance while upholding the Board’s independent quasi-judicial role

Minimum Qualifications: 

Education: Juris Doctor from an accredited law school

Admission to the Maryland Bar (or eligibility for admission within 6 months)

AND 

Experience: Two years of combined legal experience (this can include: judicial clerkships, trial or transactional work, administrative law practice, or court appearances before district, circuit, or appellate courts)

STRONGLY PREFERRED:

• Aptitude for identifying and implementing process efficiencies
• Comfort with technology and legal research databases (we use Westlaw)
• Ability to explain complex legal concepts to non-lawyers
• Strong written communication skills (you’ll be drafting a lot)
• Willingness to roll up your sleeves and do what needs to be done
• Interest in how government actually works (and how to make it work better)

What We Value

We’re looking for someone who:

• Is willing to do grunt work in service of a larger mission
• Understands that making the process predictable and transparent serves everyone: applicants, neighbors, and the city
• Can juggle competing priorities without losing track of deadlines
• Sees problems as opportunities to improve systems
• Communicates clearly with everyone from seasoned developers to first-time homeowners
• Thrives in an environment that’s part courtroom, part customer service, part process engineering

What We Offer

IMPACT: You’ll directly influence how development happens in Baltimore and help shape the processes that will serve the city for years to come.

EXPOSURE: You’ll see the full lifecycle of development projects, from initial zoning questions through appeals and final approvals. This experience is invaluable for anyone considering careers in real estate development, land use law, or as an Administrative Law Judge.

FLEXIBILITY: Hybrid work arrangement with in-person requirements for BMZA hearings (biweekly, some evenings) and occasional City Council hearings.

MISSION: Be part of the Bmore FAST initiative to make Baltimore a place where development review is predictable, transparent, and efficient while upholding safety standards and the independent oversight role that protects both applicants and communities.

About the BMZA

The Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals is an independent, quasi-judicial body that hears appeals related to Baltimore’s Zoning Code and building regulations. The Board serves as the key forum where property owners, developers, neighbors, and the city work through zoning disputes. Our decisions directly impact what gets built in Baltimore and how our neighborhoods evolve. We balance facilitating appropriate development with maintaining safety standards and protecting community interests through fair, consistent application of zoning laws.

To Apply

Submit your resume and a cover letter explaining why this role interests you and what you hope to accomplish in it. In addition to your resume and cover letter, please complete the following exercise:

Review Baltimore City’s Zoning Code (Title 32 of the Baltimore City Code, available here, and identify one provision that you find unclear, ambiguous, or unnecessarily complex.

In approximately 200 words or less (this is not a hard cap), explain:

What the provision says and where it’s located (cite the specific section), why it’s problematic, and how you would propose to revise it.

Please include your response in your cover letter or as a separate document.

Additional Information 

Background Check                                        

Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointment to positions identified as positions of trust will be required to complete authorization for a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint must be successfully completed. 

Probation 

All persons, including current City employees, selected for this position must complete a mandatory six-month probation.

Financial Disclosure 

This position is required to complete a Financial Disclosure pursuant to Sections 7-7, 7-8, and 7-9 of the City Ethics Law. The initial financial disclosure must be submitted within 30 days of hire.  

Baltimore City Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City of Baltimore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources directly. Do not attach your request for accommodation to the application. 

BALTIMORE CITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER