What are the responsibilities and job description for the Planning Director position at Bonner County?
Department: Planning
Supervisor: BOCC
Supervision Exercised: Planning Department employees, interns and contract workers
Exempt Status: Exempt
Benefits Eligibility Status: Eligible
BOCC Approval: 06/28/2022
SUMMARY
Performs a variety of advanced professional and responsible administrative, technical and
supervisory duties related to organizing, directing and coordinating the planning and zoning
functions of Bonner County. Serves in the official capacity as the administrator of land use and
building regulations and county floodplain administrator. Facilitates Planning & Zoning
Commission land use functions.
Work involves highly advanced professional work in a wide variety of situations wherein the
incumbent typically determines his/her own practices and procedures, and is responsible for
developing policies and objectives for the planning function. Involves a high degree of
complexity, as incumbent is typically required to solve advanced problems using legal, logical
principles and standards. Communicates collaboratively with others both inside the
organization, including staff, Commissioners and other County employees, as well as those
outside of the organization, including those using the County’s planning services, members of
the public, and other government agencies. Work involves high degree of responsibility as
incumbent works independently under the direction of the County Commissioners. Work is
typically performed in an office environment with frequent travel throughout the county to
conduct planning-related research, presentations, or related activities and occasional travel
outside the county for training, presentations and advocacy on behalf of the county. Typically
involves high stress related to the nature of the work, deadlines, need for accuracy, and
potential for publicity inherent in the work.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following duties and responsibilities
which are not listed in any particular order of priority and may be amended or added to by the
County at any time:
- Sufficient combination of advanced planning knowledge, skills and abilities so as to
use planning, regional planning or related or equivalent experience required.
Bonner County
- Five years of progressively responsible experience in the field of current and advanced
experience.
- Must possess a current driver’s license valid and have a good driving record.
- Considerable knowledge of principles of rural or regional land use planning.
- Considerable knowledge of mapping and site plan interpretation. Ability to read and
- Knowledge of and ability to apply principles of financial management and budgeting.
- Substantial knowledge of, state and local laws, principles, related to land use planning
- Knowledge of and ability to apply sound principles of personnel management.
- Must possess good organizational skills as needed in the multi-tasking responsibilities of
- Basic understanding of general office skills and protocol as needed to develop required
computer applications.
- Knowledge of research and statistical analysis methodologies and ability to evaluate and
- Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with federal, state and
- Ability to use discretion in the handling of confidential matters and material that may
- Ability to read and interpret technical journals and documents, respond to public
officials. Must possess technical writing skills as they pertain to land use planning policy.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to make
understanding.
- Ability to develop and maintain harmonious working relationships with others, both
- Substantial knowledge of the National Flood Insurance Program, Flood Insurance Rate
hazard reduction standards. Completion of “Managing Floodplain Development through
the National Flood Insurance Program (Course E273) or equivalent preferred.
PHYSICAL ABILITIES & WORKING CONDITIONS
Ability to perform those physical activities necessary to complete the essential functions of the
job, either with or without reasonable accommodation. Requires continual communication
(hearing and talking, both in person and over the telephone); frequent fingering, grasping,
walking, and repetitive motions. May also require occasional climbing, crouching, walking,
fingering and balancing, typically as used in field research activities. Requires good general
vision. Frequent travel within the county and occasional travel within the region or nationally.
Bonner County
Disclaimer: This job description is not an employment agreement or contract, and management
reserves the right to modify it when necessary.