Join us in shaping our City! We're seeking an experienced Planning Director to help us achieve our Vision: "Albemarle will be a place where all people can develop their potential, bringing neighbors together to support a connected community rich in water, air, land, and opportunity."

This critical member of our Leadership Team supervises and participates in department activities including current and long-range planning programs involving physical, economic and social future of the City. Work involves professional planner responsibilities in the formation, installation, modification and improvement of the City's growth and development. Duties include responding to public inquiries and staffing and consulting with boards and committees on development issues in the City including zoning, community appearance, long range planning, land development and related issues. Work involves considerable knowledge of the planning field and local ordinances and extensive public contact skills. Work is typically performed in an office environment but also involves work outdoors and around loud noise when visiting sites. Work is performed under the general supervision of the City Manager and is evaluated through conferences, reports, and progress on planning issues and projects.

Essential Duties

1. Plans and organizes project activities; establishes goals and objectives; recommends and administers policies and procedures; develops and recommends budget for department staff, equipment, materials and supplies, and monitors expenditures.
2. Provides advice to City Manager, City Council, and various appointed and ad hoc committees; deals with the public on controversial issues.
3. Researches, writes, recommends and administers ordinances related to current and long range planning and development issues such as zoning, subdivision regulations, appearance, floodplain, signage, minimum housing, historic district, and other growth and development issues.
4. Serves as technical support to the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, other committees, other City departments, and civic groups on planning, zoning, and related matters.
5. Confers with engineers, developers, architects, a variety of agencies and the general public in obtaining information and coordinating planning matters; coordinates activities with County and surrounding jurisdictions; participates in plan review process.
6. Conducts special studies; researches complex planning problems; prepares a variety of comprehensive reports; develops amendments and area plans to meet current and future community needs.
7. Responds to and resolves difficult citizens' inquiries and complaints regarding planning matters.
8. Supervises and provides for the proper maintenance and upkeep of Town administrative office facilities.
9. Reviews site plans and development plans for conformity to design criteria and ordinance requirements; participates in the development review process with various department representatives.
10. Hires, trains, coaches and motivates, determines work priorities, conducts performance evaluations, handles disciplines and recommends dismissal of department staff.
11. Applies for grants for city projects and oversees administration of grant program requirements.

Qualifications

Required:

• Graduation from a four year college or university with a major in planning, geography, landscape architecture, or related field and extensive experience in municipal, county or regional planning; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.

Preferred:

• Masters degree
• Certification or ability to obtain from the American Institute of Certified Planners.
• Certification or ability to obtain Floodplain Management Certification.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to perform the basic life operational skills of stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.
• Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, operate a computer terminal, use measurement devices, do extensive reading, and perform visual inspections.