ORANGE COUNTY, VIRGINIA is seeking an experienced planning professional to serve as Director of Development Services. The successful candidate will report to the County Administrator and will be responsible for directing operations and services within the department.

The Director of Development Services leads a talented team to assure the zoning, permitting and inspection processes in Orange County reflect the County's vision as well as important customer service goals. The successful candidate will possess well-developed interpersonal abilities and exceptional leadership qualities. These qualities will enable them to lead their team to assist County landowners, builders and developers through the review and approval processes. Additionally, the successful candidate will serve as the County's subject matter expert for planning practices and policies that will shape the community's future.

Orange County is vibrant mid-sized county. The governing body is the Board of Supervisors (BOS), which establishes policies for the county. The Board consists of five members, each representing an election district and serving staggered four-year terms. A chairman and vice-chairman are elected by the Board annually. Additionally, five constitutional officers are elected by the voters including the Sheriff, Treasurer, Commissioner of Revenue, Commonwealth's Attorney (state prosecutor), and the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Orange County provides a full range of services to residents, including education, public safety, judicial services, solid waste disposal, community and economic development, a general aviation airport, parks and recreation activities, public libraries, health and welfare, and general administration. The County employs approximately 400 full-and part-time employees.

Director of Development Services

This position will play a pivotal role in helping to realize the Board of Supervisors' vision of "sustaining the rural character of Orange County while enhancing and improving the quality of life for all its citizens."

Underlying principles for achieving that vision include:

• Retaining characteristics that give identity to our mix of communities.
• Understanding that a vibrant economy contributes to the sustainability of the community and its quality of life.
• Utilizing wise resource planning and land-use decisions to attract and support a business base, while maintaining the rural nature of the county and facilitating the planned urbanization of the eastern portion of the county in a thoughtful and sustaining way.

LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION

Orange County Development Services is a service-oriented department that is responsible for comprehensive land-use planning, application and plan review, permitting, building inspections, code enforcement, and erosion and sedimentation compliance. The organization provides support to the Planning Commission (PC) and the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA).

Challenges and opportunities for the department include:

• Optimizing the existing planning processes and staff resources to ensure alignment for efficiency and sustained success.
• Enhancing the customer experience.
• Maximizing the value and analytics of our digital workflow (Tyler EnerGov) and other technological process improvements.
• Building "bench strength" through succession planning in anticipation of retirements and developing staff knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Reviewing the County's land use ordinances; determining conflicts and areas of difficulty for citizens; researching innovations in other jurisdictions and determining suitability in Orange County, as well as making relevant recommendations to the County Administrator, Board, and Planning Commission.
• Overseeing a comprehensive review and redrafting of the Zoning Ordinance that better reflects the needs of the community as it continues to evolve.
• Maximizing the opportunities presented by the Germanna Wilderness Area Plan through the extensive plan development and approval process.

The following education and experience factors outline the qualifications for successful performance:

• Bachelor's degree with coursework in urban design, planning, public administration, or a related field (or) an equivalent combination of relevant experience in public administration, business, government, management, planning or a closely related field.
• Five years of progressive and relevant experience, including leading a development team in a private sector or overseeing a successful development services function in a comparably sized or larger jurisdiction.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of development review, planning, code enforcement, land use regulation, and effective supervisory practices. Some experience working with projects of various sizes is a plus.
• Technologically savvy in development-related software, including advanced use of GIS resources and team project management tools.
• Working knowledge of erosion and sedimentation control, stormwater and floodplain management, principles of code enforcement and development law would be beneficial.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage people and programs and provide clear direction and establish accountability.

Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a cover letter, resume, salary expectations, professional references and two or more representative project examples, to the Berkley Group via email to jennifer.whistleman@bgllc.net. While the position is open until filled, review of candidates will begin on or around October 1, 2024; however, highly qualified candidates may be invited for interview at any time.

For the full recruitment profile, visit www.bgllc.net.