The duties assigned include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs and manages complex and sensitive professional planning projects, research, and analysis.
• Monitors and ensures compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
• Oversees specialized planning functions such as large-scale new development proposals and environmental studies.
• Provides overall management of division-related planning issues.
• Advises the Community Department Director on planning-related matters.
• Advises various councils, 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 professional staff and ensures appropriate training is provided.
• Evaluates operations and activities of assigned responsibilities.
• Prepares reports on operations and activities, recommending improvements and modifications.
• Handles personnel matters.
• Participates in budget preparation and administration, monitors, and controls expenditures.
• Attends substantial number of evening and weekend meetings.
• Other planning related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of urban planning and development and local government policies and procedures
• Thorough knowledge of specialization such as land use planning/zoning, transportation planning, environmental planning, urban design, housing, , historic preservation or economic development
• Research methods and statistical principles related to urban growth and development
• Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations including recent changes
• Principles and practices of supervision, training, and personnel management
• Budgeting procedures and techniques
• Recent developments, current literature and sources of information related to municipal planning and administration.
• Knowledge of local government procedures and practices
• Citizen involvement techniques and processes
• Knowledge of computer programs and applications, which may include Microsoft Office, Internet applications, econometric or transportation modeling, and database management
• GIS programs and applications
• Must be innovative, detail-oriented, experienced in highly visible/controversial projects
• Capable of managing multiple, high-priority assignments
• Strong interpersonal skills to develop good working relationships with staff, officials, and stakeholders and to resolve complaints
• Strong analytical skills to interpret research data for reports and apply mathematic techniques in practical situations
• Reading comprehension to understand technical and legal materials.
• Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously
• Ability to provide effective supervision and staff management
• Ability to manage projects effectively and meet firm deadlines
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both in writing and orally
• Ability to manage and conduct in-person and virtual public participation activities, meetings, and hearings
• Ability to work with computers, proficient with standard data and word processing software
• Ability to draft legal ads in compliance with the State of Georgia Zoning Procedures Law
• Ability to meet deadlines and schedules in compliance with State of Georgia Zoning Procedures Law
• Experience in using GIS software such as Arc GIS.
• Proficient computer skills: advanced Microsoft Office skills, especially Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Supervisory Controls: The work of this position is directed by the Community Development Director.

Guidelines: Guidelines include state and federal laws and regulations governing City and departmental rules and regulations, and City ordinances, policies, and procedures.

Complexity: Work requires the exercise of independent thinking within the limits of guidelines, policies, standards, and precedents.

Personal Contacts: Contacts typically occur with co-workers, developers, city employees and the public.

Purpose of Contacts: Contacts are typically to give and exchange information, resolve conflicts, solve problems, and services.

Physical Demands: This work is performed indoors in an office setting, involves occasional light lifting.

Work Environment: This work is performed indoors in an office setting.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility: Senior Planner, Planner 1 and GIS Analyst.