Under minimal supervision, plan, direct, and manage the operations of the Planning Department, including comprehensive planning, zoning, land use and development regulation and geographic information systems, and perform other duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is a single-incumbent executive-level classification. The employee performs his/her duties under minimal supervision.

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties listed below represent the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Plans, coordinates and directs the activities of the department.
• Provides staff assistance to City Council, Planning & Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustments and other related boards in formulating plans, policies, programs and regulations to direct private development and implement the City's Comprehensive Plan.
• Works with citizens, businesses and the development community as well as other interests to plan for the City's growth and identify and resolve specific development needs.
• Assures new development complies with City policies, plans and regulations.
• Prepares development related technical information, reports and data bases needed by management, City Council, boards and commissions and the general public.
• Recruits, manages and develops professional and non-professional personnel to conduct the department's work program.
• Directs and coordinates the development process with other City departments to ensure proposed land use plans and proposed development projects meet City minimum development standards.
• Coordinates planning activities with outside agencies and neighboring jurisdictions.
• Initiates and implements annexations and zoning changes to further the development goals of the City.
• Assists in the planning for and locations of city parks, thoroughfares, water and sewer systems, business development and other growth-related initiatives.
• Maintains a sound understanding of current planning and zoning State and Federal laws, related to but not limited to annexation, exactions, property owner rights, eminent domain, and land use.
• Continually scrutinize current City planning-related practices, policies and ordinances and offer suggestions to City management to address immediate needs as well as to prepare the community for positive, orderly growth in the future.
• Oversees and administers the City's impact fee program.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of zoning administration, planning and community development.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Any combination of related education, experience, certifications and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job may be considered.

Education, Training and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree plus five (5) years of increasingly-responsible planning and zoning administration experience, including three (3) years of management and administrative responsibility.
• Master's degree in Planning, Public Administration or closely related field preferred.

Licenses and Certificates:

• A valid State driver license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.

Special Requirements:

• Active member of the American Planning Association.
• AICP certification is required.
• Position requires regular in-person attendance including evenings and weekends as needed.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services and activities of zoning administration, and planning and development program.
• Principles and practices of zoning administration and plans review.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Financing mechanisms for the establishment of infrastructure in utility districts.
• Modern and complex principles and practices of planning and development program administration.
• Principles of land use planning for municipalities.
• City zoning ordinances.
• Technical information written in the City's Comprehensive Plan.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Recent developments, current literature and sources of information related to municipal planning and zoning administration.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
• Methods and techniques of report preparation.
• Operations, services and activities of the city.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.

Ability to:

• Manage a zoning administration program.
• Administer departmental goals, objectives and procedures.
• Analyze and assess programs, policies and operational needs and make appropriate adjustments.
• Effectively administer a variety of planning and development activities.
• Develop creative approaches to and concepts for planning problems.
• Identify and respond to sensitive community and organizational issues, concerns and needs.
• Plan, organize, direct and coordinate the work of subordinate employees.
• Delegate authority and responsibility.
• Select, supervise, train and evaluate subordinate employees.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Interpret, explain, and enforce departmental policies and procedures.
• Interpret and apply applicable Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists.

Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; performs highly detailed work; deals with multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with customers and/or the public and dissatisfied/abusive individuals.

Work Environment:

The employee works in an office environment where the noise level is usually quiet. Certain positions within the classification may require availability to work flexible schedule.