General Summary

The City of Charlottesville is seeking candidates to be considered for position of Planning Manager who are highly motivated and who strive for success by demonstrating Charlottesville's Core Values of Commitment, Integrity, Respect, Innovation, and Collaboration.
The Planning Manager supervises, coordinates, and participates in advanced, complex professional and technical planning activities. Performs responsible administrative work in directing activities, programs, and staff of the Planning Division of the Neighborhood Development Services department. Reports to the Director of Neighborhood Development Services.
The preferred hiring amount for this position is between $79,664.00 - $96,304.00 Annually.Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This is a full-time, exempt, position which provides excellent benefits including 13 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, City's retirement options, gym membership reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, and continuing education/training opportunities.

• For a general summary of benefits offered by the City, please click the 'benefits' tab on this posting, or visit https://www.charlottesville.gov/1047/Employee-Benefits.
• The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS, however the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS and there are certain provisions that must be met. For questions pertaining to the Portability Agreement, please contact the City's Benefits Administrator at 434-970-3462.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Manages the Planning staff and programs and ensures staff and program compliance with department goals and local, state, and federal land development and use legislation and grants compliance.
• Advises the Department Director on work priorities and makes work assignments necessary to carry out such priorities, in addition to performing normal administrative/supervisory functions relative to operational activities and personnel.
• Advises the Department Director, City Manager, and City officials on planning matters.
• Coordinates the Comprehensive Planning Program.
• Supervises subordinate employees, including providing technical expertise, instructing, assigning, and reviewing work, maintaining standards, addressing employee problems, selecting new employees, and evaluating employee performance. Recommends promotions, discipline, termination, and other personnel actions.
• Ensures that assigned staff have the proper resources needed to complete work; provides progress and activity reports to management; and assists with the revision of procedure manuals as appropriate.
• Consults with officials of the City, County, State and Federal government in order to coordinate all phases of locality planning.
• Serves as Secretary to Planning Commission, supervises agenda, and presents and coordinates development issues and plans.
• Attends meetings and acts as staff advisor to the Planning Commission, governing bodies, and other departments on planning matters.
• Advises public and private bodies on new or contemplated new plans, projects, or programs, prepares articles, reports, and other presentations dealing with the planned development of the community.
• Reviews grant applications for planning and grant program funds; works with the city’s Grants Manager as necessary.
• Receives and responds to citizen inquiries and complaints, coordinates resolution of the problems.
• Plans and executes planning studies, assists in the coordination of production, graphics, and printing.
• Coordinates the review of re-zonings, special permits, and site plans.
• Provides cross-departmental leadership and oversight for the Development Review Process.
• Attends evening and weekend meetings as necessary and required.

• Represents the department on various organizational committees.
• Assists in preparing the annual budget review request and budget administration.
• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education, Experience and Skills

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture or a related field AND at least 5 years of experience in municipal planning or a closely related field with some experience in a senior or lead role, as a supervisor, or equivalent.

• Associate’s degree in urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture or a related field AND at least 7 years of experience in municipal planning or a closely related field with some experience in a senior or lead role, as a supervisor, or equivalent.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

• Master’s degree in planning, architecture, landscape architecture, public administration, or related field.
• AICP or equivalent certification.

• Requires a valid Virginia driver’s license and must meet the City’s driver eligibility requirements.
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

• Advanced knowledge of the advanced principles and practices of urban planning, including recent developments in the field.
• Knowledge of economics, development finance, and sociology as they apply to urban planning.
• Knowledge of the techniques required in the preparation of maps, charts, sketches and complex graphics.
• Knowledge of applicable state and local government policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and ordinances.
• Complete comprehension of the subject area to solve common and unusual problems, able to advise on technical matters, and serve as a resource on the subject for others.

• Advanced: Ability to read and understand complex written materials such as books, reviews, scientific or technical journals, abstracts, financial reports, and/or legal documents.

• Advanced: Ability to develop materials such as researched editorials, journals, speeches, manuals, or critiques. Ability to tailor writing to specific audiences and explain complex thoughts and ideas in writing. Prepares and presents technical written reports.

• Intermediate: Ability to deal with number systems; simple formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement. Applies systematic multi-factor analysis, trend analysis, and other forms of data analysis.

• Advanced: Examples include making recommendations regarding policy development and implementation. Contact may involve support of controversial positions or the negotiation of sensitive issues or important presentations. Evaluates customer satisfaction, develops cooperative associations, and utilizes resources to continuously improve customer satisfaction. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with employees, officials and other agencies, and the general public. Prepares and presents technical oral reports, with the ability to effectively convey complex planning concepts to diverse audiences.

• Requires Limited Direction: Normally completes work according to their own judgment, requesting supervisory assistance occasionally. Special projects are managed with little oversight and assignments may be reviewed upon completion.

• Advanced: High level skills and extensive knowledge of approaches and systems, which affect the design and implementation of major programs and/or processes organization wide. Independent judgment and decision-making abilities are necessary to apply technical skills effectively. Reviews documents for professional, technical, and content errors, and may be called on to review and revise more complex documents, interpret, and analyze technical and statistical information.

• Assists in oversight of budget preparation of a division or department budget. Reviews and approves expenditures of significant budgeted funds for the department or does research and prepares recommendations for organization-wide budget expenditures.

• Manages, monitors, evaluates, and directs work performance of subordinate supervisors and employees. Recommends actions on hires, promotions, discipline, and other personnel actions. Sets program/work objectives and realigns work and staffing as needed.

• Effective time management and organizational skills; sometimes under strict time constraints.
• Performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Frequent change of tasks, interruptions, and requests for services.
• Tedious or exacting work.
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals on occasion.
• Sound independent judgment in fast-paced and potentially stressful situations.
• Tact, diplomacy, and resourcefulness in resolving problems and managing stressful situations.
• Strong teamwork, leadership, and coaching abilities.
• Working closely with others as part of a team.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools, and other resources, including work time.
• Maintains accurate records and files.
• Understand and maintain safeguards for sensitive and confidential information.
• Regular and predictable attendance.

Physical Conditions & Additional Information

Physical Demands:

• SEDENTARY WORK: Ability to lift up to 10 lbs. occasionally and/or negligible weights frequently.
• Must be able to remain in stationary position more than 50% of the time.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• Occasionally moves about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Occasional visits to construction sites, traversing uneven terrain and obstructions.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. Frequent interaction with senior officials, commissions, and boards. Regular interaction with citizens, business groups, and the media.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

• Work is performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare, and dust.
• May require work outside of normal operating hours such as evenings, nights and/or weekends.

SUMMARY OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Updated July 1, 2022

Benefits cited represent those for regular 40-hour employees and may differ for Management Level, Part-Time, and/or Library positions. Long-term temporary employees are eligible for all benefits except retirement. Interns, temporary, seasonal, substitute, and relief employees are not eligible for benefits.

1. LEAVE:

• Vacation: 3.09 hours accrued biweekly
  • - 0 - <3 years
  3.85 hours accrued biweekly
  • - 3 - <5 years
  4.62 hours accrued biweekly
  • - 5 - <10 years
  5.40 hours accrued biweekly
  • - 10 - <15 years
  6.16 hours accrued biweekly
  • - 15 - <20 years
  6.93 hours accrued biweekly
  • - 20 - <25 years
  7.70 hours accrued biweekly
  • - 25 years
• Sick:
  • 4.62 hours per biweekly pay period, approximately 120 hours a years, no limit on accumulation
• Holidays:
  • 14 paid holidays per calendar year (13 observed and 1 floating)

• Aetna Medical –
  • Choose from three options with different premiums and levels of coverage and coverage is effective on the first of the month following date of hire:
    • HMO: $0 premium for employee only coverage
    • POS 1: Employee-only premium of $36.28 per biweekly pay
    • POS 2: Employee-only premium of $13.02 per biweekly pay
      • (Dependent coverage is available but the cost of the premium is not subsidized.)
  • Prescription Card ($10 generic, $30 lower cost name brand, $55 higher cost name brand)
  • Mail Order Maintenance Prescription Drug Program ($20 generic, $60 lower cost name brand, $110 higher cost brand)

• Dental (Delta Dental)
  • No cost for employee only coverage. Dependent coverage is available but the cost of the premium is not subsidized.
  Diagnosis and Preventive
  • - 100% of allowable charge; Basic Dental Care - 80%; Major Dental Care - 50%
  Primary
  • - $50 deductible, 80/20
  Prosthetic & Complex Restorative
  • - $50 deductible, 50/50
  • $1,500 maximum annual benefit
  • $1,000 Orthodontic Benefit
• MetLife Vision Plan: Optional
  • Employee only coverage: $2.50 bi-weekly; Dependent coverage also available at differing rates.
  • Eye health exam, dilatation, prescription and refraction of glasses covered after $10 co-pay;
  • $130 allowance for frames, after co-pay, plus additional discounts where accepted.
• Life:
  • Two times annual salary (paid by the City)
  • Optional supplemental life available for employee, spouse, dependents (paid by employee)
• AFLAC: Optional
  • Cancer/accident/short term disability/intensive care insurance (paid by employee)

• Long Term Disability
  • Protection from income loss due to long-term illness or injury (paid by the City)

• Pension:
  • Choose from two options:
    • A Defined Benefit Pension plan pays a monthly benefit in retirement using a defined formula based on the employee's earnings history, tenure of service, and age. Our plan has a 5 year vesting period and an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
    • A Defined Contribution 401a plan in which fixed contributions are paid into an individual's account by the employer, the contributions are invested, returns (positive or negative) are credited to the account, and the account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. The vesting schedule for our 401a plan is 33% after one year of service, 67% after two years of service, and 100% after three years of service. There is no required contribution from salary. (Note that: the Defined Contribution retirement plan is the only plan available for Library employees)

• Supplemental:
  • Deferred Compensation (457) - employee contribution

• Flexible Spending Accounts:
  • Health Care Expenses
  • Dependent Care Expenses
  • Parking/Mass Transit Expenses
  • Parking Subsidy of $50 per month
• Wellness Programs:
  • Gym Reimbursement Program
  • Monthly On-Site Nurse and Annual Flu Shots
  • Health Screenings and Fairs, Education Sessions, & Weekly Fitness Classes
  • Weight Watchers at Work
• Bike Commuter Program:
  • Reimbursement of up to $20 per month for reasonable bike commuting expenses
• Employee Assistance Program:
  • A variety of confidential, personal professional services for you and your family available 24 hours a day.
• Tuition Reimbursement Program:
  • Up to $1,500 for undergraduate OR Up to $3,000 for graduate level tuition per fiscal year per employee.