JOB DESCRIPTION

Summary:

Plans and manages complex and special planning and building projects, complex current planning, and highly sophisticated technical research and analysis. Provides leadership, project coordination, and serves as primary resource for a variety of specialized planning and building functions. Oversees the development of, and updates to, comprehensive and long-range plans building codes and associated policies and programs. Provides policy advice and represents the City with regional and state agencies.

Distinguishing Career Features:

The Assistant Community Development Director serves as a project and functional manager, and principle resource for other planners, plan reviewers and building inspectors to access. The Assistant Planning Director establishes goals and priorities for planning staff, and lends expertise to complex and politically sensitive planning studies, projects, development review processes, and assignments. Requires the ability to supervise, train planners, plan reviewers, building inspectors and support staff, and assume responsibility for department operations in the absence of the Director, in addition to complex, multi-disciplinary assignments of high visibility.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manages and participates in large planning and building projects involving considerable interaction with developers, agencies, civic groups and special interests. Provides project leadership, supervising and mentoring to those who are taking on smaller projects, analyzing and processing customer transactions, or conducting concurrent reviews.
• Assists the Director in maintaining an overall working atmosphere where planning and building procedures can be initiated, developed, and presented in an effective manner.
• Assists the Director in managing an ongoing effort to insure that property owners and developers are properly informed, counseled, and advised in relation to the Master Plan, zoning ordinances, building ordinances, subdivision ordinances, and the interpretation of special ordinances
• Assists with developing recommendations to the City Council and Planning Commission concerning large scale and multi-use land development programs. Contacts officials of state and federal agencies for assistance in such programs, as required. Prepares supporting materials for requests for state and federal funding and helps maintain intergovernmental coordination.
• Assists the Director in preparing departmental budget and special program budgets. Makes recommendations regarding personnel actions, including hiring, dismissal, promotion, transfer, and evaluation.
• Assigns, guides, and reviews of the work of planning, building and other assigned staff.
• Develops, designs, administers, and coordinates planning, and building programs to meet City needs. Implements complex City policies and regulations. Interprets and implements laws and regulations. Interprets planning and building requirements into policy direction, plans and programs.
• Determines the application of code and regulations in complex situations. Writes, edits, and recommends City codes and regulations related to planning and building issues.
• Researches, writes and edits plans and major elements of the City's master plan. Analyzes and responds to amendment requests. Reviews and edits proposed amendments to Code to ensure clarity and consistency.
• Oversees and develops major aspects of the City's master plan including the development, scheduling, monitoring, and overseeing of work programs for the project. Designs and Coordinates projects by identifying problems, determining methodology, setting project goals and objectives and developing work plans and budgets.
• Facilitates processes and works directly with technical and citizen advisory committees. Monitors work processes and schedules to ensure timely project completion and response.
• Conducts special studies. Researches policy issues and conditions. Establishes methodologies and standards for research and studies. Facilitates collection of information. Designs, conducts and analyzes surveys and evaluations.
• Counsels the public on problems, questions, and complaints about land use, land development, building construction and zoning. Responds to difficult or complex situations by providing proper instruction, valuable opinions, and suggestions for changes.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of emerging regulations, pending legislation and trends in planning and building that impact the City as well as current programs and processes.
• Develops, manipulates and maintains computerized databases, spreadsheets, progress monitoring systems and filing systems.
• Provides advanced assistance to the public. Reviews and adjudicates development proposals, working with the customer to complete a land use solution and construction that complies with laws and regulations as well as desired application.
• Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.

Knowledege and Skills:

The position requires advanced specialized knowledge of the theory, principles, standards, practices and information sources of urban planning and building construction. Requires in-depth knowledge in the application of application of land use, physical and environmental design, building code, and zoning and practices. Requires knowledge of and skill at organizing, planning, and coordinating projects. Requires working knowledge of the principles, processes and practices of public administration. Requires in-depth knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, codes, requirements and criteria governing planning and building.

Abilities:

Requires the ability to carry out the essential functions of the position. Requires the ability to manage and coordinate large, complex, and politically sensitive projects including budgets, time lines, and quality of work product. Requires the ability to review, prepare or direct the preparation of complex plans, applications, specifications and legal contracts. Requires the ability to perform difficult and complex technical research and analysis of planning and building issues or problems. Requires the ability to understand and interpret all applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures and standards, and planning and/or building principles and practices to complex, specialized and diverse planning or building processes. Requires the ability to establish objectives, give direction, train, and review performance of planners, plan reviewers, building inspectors, and support staff. Requires the ability to use sound judgement when making decisions, interpretations, and in communications with others. Requires the ability to work extended hours for the purpose of conducting meetings and public processes. Requires the ability to work cooperatively with a diverse population of citizens. Requires the ability to lead work teams, work productively and cooperatively with other teams and external customers, and convey a positive image of the City.

Physical Abilities:

Requires auditory ability to carry on audience, ordinary, and telephonic conversation. Requires near and far visual acuity to read detailed maps, drawings, other printed material, computer screens, and observe physical layouts.

Education and Experience:

The position requires a Bachelor's degree in urban planning, architecture, or similar discipline and six years of progressive experience in urban planning.

Licenses and Certificates:

Requires an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification or must obtain within two years of employment. Requires a valid driver's license.

BENEFITS

Generous Paid Time Off:

10-20 Vacation days, 12 Sick days, 3 Wellness days, and 20 Holidays.

Comprehensive Coverage:

100 % Employer-Paid Employee Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, plus Air-Medical Transport for your household.

Retirement Plans:

2:1 retirement match to secure your future.

And many more benefits!