Director of Development

Under general direction from the County Manager this position manages, coordinates, and directs the County's planning efforts, including strategic planning, community comprehensive planning, and long-range land use planning, from current to long-range projects as technical planner, land use compliance officer, zoning administrator, floodplain manager and economic development facilitator. The principal function is to act as a community liaison to assist, advise, answer inquiries and administer the rules and regulations of the County as well as other applicable local regulations and State laws with a primary emphasis on land use policy, community visioning, and implementation of adopted plans. The position requires a broad working knowledge of practical and lawful application of rules and regulations to disseminate proper advice to potential applicants. The position also provides service delivery to both external and internal customers and principally seeks to achieve a mutually agreeable and beneficial outcome or solution.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives general direction from the County Manager

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Exercises direct supervision over positions, employees, operations, and activities of the Development Services Department, with primary oversight of planning and land use functions, including building permitting, inspections, alcohol licensing, zoning & retail inspections.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The duties described herein are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Leads and coordinates County strategic planning initiatives related to growth, land use, and community development.

Directs the development, implementation, and periodic update of the County's Comprehensive Plan and related sub-area or master plans.

Provides professional guidance on land use policy, zoning regulations, and long-range planning initiatives to support the County's vision and goals.

Performs and manages complex and sensitive professional planning projects, research and analysis, including long-range, comprehensive, and land use planning efforts.

Monitors and ensures compliance with local and state laws.

Oversees specialized planning functions such as large-scale new development proposals, land use applications, and environmental studies.

Provides overall management of division-related planning issues.

Advises County Manager, boards, commissions and elected officials in planning-related issues.

Serves as liaison and performs all necessary functions in support of Planning Commission.

Assigns work to planning staff and ensures appropriate training is provided.

Evaluates operations and activities of assigned responsibilities.

Prepares reports on operations and activities, recommending improvements and modifications.

Facilitates economic development projects and assists in promoting the County's economic development initiatives.

Participates in budget preparation and administration; monitors and controls expenditures.

Attends substantial number of evening and weekend meetings.

Reviews proposed development in Special Flood Hazard Areas and issues floodplain development permits in compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program; maintains files and records to ensure compliance with State and Federal agencies.

 

OTHER DUTIES

May serve as a representative of the County with local, state, and federal agencies and organizations to accomplish the goals and carry out the priorities of the County.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities may be qualifying.

 

Education, Experience and Licenses

Education: A bachelor's degree in planning, public administration, urban or regional planning or closely related field.

Experience: At least five years of experience in the planning & development  profession, and three to four years of supervisory experience is preferred.

Licenses and Certifications: American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification a plus but not required and certification as a Flood Plain Administrator preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of strategic planning and community comprehensive planning.
• Land use planning theory, policy development, and implementation.
• Growth management strategies and long-range planning tools.

Thorough knowledge of planning and development and local government policies and procedures.

Thorough knowledge of specialization such as zoning, land use law, transportation, and economic development.

Research methods and statistical principles related to growth and development.

Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.

Pertinent State and local laws, codes and regulations including recent changes.

Understanding and application of basic environmental engineering concepts such as drainage, simple hydrology, and erosion.

Principles and practices of supervision, training and personnel management.

Budgeting procedures.

Recent developments, current literature and sources of information related to local governmental planning and administration.

Knowledge of local government procedures and practices.

Citizen involvement techniques and processes.

Economic development incentives and attraction of new or expanding business as well as retention of existing businesses.

Knowledge of computer hardware and software programs, which may include Microsoft Office, Internet applications, econometric or transportation modeling, database management, or GIS.

 

Ability to:

Be detail-oriented and experienced in sometimes highly visible/controversial projects.

Capable of managing multiple, high-priority assignments.

Strong interpersonal skills to develop good working relationships both internally and externally at various levels, and to resolve complaints.

Strong analytical skills to interpret research data for reports and extract locally appropriate techniques for practical situations.

Reading comprehension to understand technical and legal materials.

Work on several projects or issues simultaneously.

Provide effective supervision and staff management.

Manage projects effectively and meet firm deadlines.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

Requires frequent moderate lifting/carrying (up to 49 pounds) and occasional heavy lifting/carrying (50 pounds and over). Requires frequent standing, sitting, pushing/pulling, bending/stooping, twisting, kneeling, squatting.

Ability to conduct activities requiring climbing, stooping, kneeling/bending, crawling, twisting and reaching on a moderate to substantial basis.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth deception and the ability to adjust focus. Have the ability to see small objects at a distance, to identify objects in low light or bright light, to see movement in a wide field of vision and to see and distinguish close objects, such as in reading detailed documents. Requires full range of peripheral vision to monitor multiple computer systems.

 

Requires full range of hearing to monitor multiple radio and telephone systems. Ability to hear and conduct routine conversation and to distinguish various signals and radio transmissions. Have the ability to hear a wide range of sounds, to distinguish type of sound and where it originates.

 

Ability to work with hands above shoulder height or arms extended at shoulder height. The employee is required to use hand to finger, handle, grasp or feel objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms, talking in person and via telephone or radio. This position is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, run or crouch.

 

Requires repetitive movement's standard in office-related activities such as typing, and sitting and standing.

 

May work shifts, holidays, weekends and on-call as needed.

 

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of the job.

Work is typically performed in a quiet office. That office may (potentially) be exposed to hostile or argumentative clients.

Occasionally, employee works in outside weather conditions, including temperature extremes.

The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxins or chemicals.

All job descriptions have been reviewed to ensure that only essential functions and basic duties have been included. Peripheral tasks, only incidentally related to each position, have been included. Requirements, skills and abilities included have been determined to be the minimal standards required to successfully perform the position. In no instance however, should the duties, responsibilities and requirements be interpreted as all-inclusive. Supervisors as deemed appropriate may assign additional functions and requirements.

 

In accordance with Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodation will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which may pose undue hardships on the organization.