Performs responsible supervisory work in professional public planning to manage, develop, coordinate, and direct the County's planning efforts, from current long-range planning projects, re-zonings, land use changes, and various plans and revisions to the County's Comprehensive Plan and land development regulations. Work requires considerable contact with state, federal, and local agencies, the general public, and examiners to hear complaints, provide information, interpret policy, or make recommendations for changes or final decision of cases.

• Develops and implements goals, objectives and policies in the County's Comprehensive Plan and land development regulations; creates, amends, prepares, and presents various elements of the County's Comprehensive Plan and land development regulations to the Planning and Zoning Board and the Board of County Commissioners (BCC). 
• Creates, reviews, and makes recommendations regarding planning and development documents and amendments such as community plans, zoning districts, overlays, plan amendments, text amendments, regulations, staff reports, etc.
• Presents planning materials and information to BCC and the public; provides information and answers questions regarding planning activities.
• Represents the County in legal proceedings and challenges; conducts research; provides data; prepares reports; and answers all planning related legal issues and questions; may provide testimony as an expert witness in court proceedings. 
• Coordinates the development review process; interprets and applies Comprehensive Plan and land development regulations; answers, questions, and provides information and explains department goals, objectives, and policies and County zoning regulations and statutes. 
• Meets with developers, property owners, engineers, and other professionals to provide guidance and direction regarding potential developments within the County and planning and development questions and concerns. 
• Serves as a liaison to various advisory committees and departments; makes planning recommendations and provides support for local and regional planning projects and activities; participates in and conducts meetings with various local, state, and federal boards, authorities, agencies, and community organizations. 
• Plans, organizes, assigns, and directs the activities of professional, technical, and/or administrative support personnel engaged in planning activities and related projects; monitors and reviews work in progress and inspects completed work; provides technical expertise, guidance and direction; and is responsible for the selection, placement, promotion, training, management, development, discipline, safety, and appraisal of assigned employees. 
• Provides exceptional customer assistance, problem-solving, and/or complaint resolution by all forms of communication. 

Education and Experience:

• Master’s Degree 

1. Preferred:
   • Urban/Regional Planning

• Five (5) years of experience in planning and development, to include lead or supervisory experience. 
• Or an equivalent combination of relevant training, education and experience.

Licenses and/or Certificates:

• Knowledge of departmental policies, plans, and procedures.
• Knowledge of modern office practices, plans, and procedures.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other job-related computer programs and software applications.
• Knowledge of various legal requirements relating to planning, zoning, land development and/or transportation regulations. 
• Knowledge of operations and practices of local government including urban and transportation economics, engineering, environmental science, finance, political science and theory, and sociology; ability to analyze and interpret departmental functions, procedures and policies. 
• Strong leadership and managerial skills, to include team building, mediation and motivational skills. 
• Strong written and oral communication skills to include public speaking.
• Strong analytical and research skills. 
• Skill in prioritizing and organizing work.
• Skill in the use of office equipment such as a computer, multi-line telephone system, scanner, fax machine, and copier.
• Ability to interpret zoning, land use, transportation, and/or impact fee ordinances and regulations. 
• Ability to read and interpret plans, blueprints, and specifications as necessary to recommend modifications to meet transportation, zoning, and/or other relevant development regulations. 
• Ability to assess processes and operational performance and to make appropriate adjustments to maximize efficiencies, quality of output, and operational performance. 
• Ability to make decisions recognizing established precedents and practices and to use resourcefulness and tact in solving new problems. 
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting department rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. 
• Ability to plan, organize, direct, and appraise the work of assigned personnel.
• Ability to ascertain priorities and meet deadlines and objectives. 
• Ability to develop effective proposals. 
• Ability to design and present information in graphic form. 
• Ability to maintain accurate records and reports. 
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle. 
• Ability to provide internal/external guidance and customer assistance via all forms of communication.
• Ability to use computers for data entry, word processing, and/or accounting purposes.
• Ability to author reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, service providers, other employees, and the general public.

Sitting, stooping, crouching, lifting, grasping, hearing, seeing up close, seeing far away, kneeling, pushing, talking, finger movement, repetitive motions. Frequent lifting of up to 25 pounds; occasional lifting up to 50 lbs.
Work is performed in a relatively safe, and secure work environment. Work is primarily performed indoors but requires some exposure to environmental changes (e.g., outdoor weather and/or field conditions, warehouses, covered loading docks, garages, etc.) or irate customers, extreme noise, odors, heights and/or dust.
The position requires no exposure or risk related to physical and/or mental health and safety.
 
DISCLAIMER: The information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, environmental conditions, or qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.