Assistant Director - Comprehensive And Current Planning

POSITION: Assistant Director

DEPARTMENT: Area Plan Commission

DIVISION: Comprehensive and Current Planning

WORK SCHEDULE: 8:00 am. - 4:30 p.m., M-F

SALARY: $3,019.27 Biweekly

Incumbent serves as Assistant Director for the Area Plan Commission (APC), Comprehensive Planning Division (except for comprehensive planning related to transportation planning) and for some aspects of the Current Planning Division, responsible for overseeing operations and supervising personnel in preparing and implementing the comprehensive plan and current planning activity.

DUTIES:

Supervises and directs Comprehensive Planning and some Current Planning personnel, including interviewing applicants, making hiring recommendations, planning/preparing work assignments, making recommendations for performance evaluations, providing training and corrective instruction, maintaining discipline and recommending personnel actions as appropriate. Periodically performs duties of Executive Director in his/her absence.

Supervises and shares work responsibility with co-workers to:

Develop and prepare all elements of the Comprehensive Plan (except those comprehensive planning activities related to transportation planning) including land use plans, neighborhood plans, corridor land use plans, housing plan, park, recreation and open space plan, community facilities plan, and capital improvements plan (non-transportation). Develops and coordinates community participation processes related to assigned planning activities.

Implements comprehensive plan by preparing and updating zoning ordinances, creating, assigning, instructing, and monitoring production of maps and graphics, and interpreting and explaining the Unified Zoning Ordinance.

Oversees, coordinates, and participates in the planned development zoning process, including analyzing data, projecting area impact, writing recommendations, and negotiating with developers.

Responds to inquiries, provides technical expertise, and makes speaking presentations to news media, civic/neighborhood organizations, and the public regarding comprehensive planning, implementation strategies and activities, and planned developments. Serves as occasional guest for university classes and provides field experience to students.

Writes or reviews and edits staff reports regarding re-zoning, variance, special exception and appeals cases, including researching computer records, codes, and maps, reviewing documentation, inspecting sites as needed, and explaining procedures and legal requirements.

Prepares department annual report.

Maintains current knowledge of land use regulations and issues by frequently reading professional publications and law journals, and occasionally attending training seminars as appropriate.

Performs related duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

Master's degree in urban and regional planning, public administration, or related area, with a minimum of eight years related experience; or Baccalaureate degree in planning, landscape architecture, or related field with a minimum of ten years related experience.

Certification by American Institute of Certified Planners preferred.

Experience with Microsoft Office software and GIS software preferred.

Thorough knowledge of and ability to make practical application of department policies and procedures, and state and County ordinances regarding zoning, drainage/flood control, public environmental nuisances, and transportation and land development.

Thorough knowledge of County topography, and ability to read, interpret, and explain zoning ordinances, property legal descriptions, subdivision plats, flood plain maps, and aerial photos.

Ability to supervise and direct Comprehensive Planning personnel and some Current Planning personnel, including interviewing applicants, making hiring recommendations, planning/preparing work assignments, making performance evaluation recommendations, providing training and corrective instruction, maintaining discipline, and recommending personnel actions as appropriate.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with co-workers, other County and City departments, the Area Plan Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals, local, state, and federal elected officials, developers, attorneys, surveyors, engineers, civic/neighborhood organizations, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.

Superior knowledge and use of English grammar, spelling and punctuation. Writing skills must be at a level sufficient to edit and correct work products of supervised employees.

Ability to prepare correspondence, plans, documents and detailed reports, and properly operate a variety of standard office equipment, including computer, printer, telephone, typewriter, copier, fax machine, and calculator.

Ability to prepare and make public speaking presentations.

Ability to plan and layout assigned work projects, and to work alone and with others in a team environment with minimum supervision, often under time pressure.

Ability to work rapidly for long periods, work on several tasks at the same time, and complete assignments effectively amidst frequent distractions and interruptions.

Ability and willingness to regularly work extended and/or evening hours and occasionally travel out of town for training, sometimes overnight.

Possession of a valid driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record.

DIFFICULTY OF WORK

Incumbent applies knowledge of theoretical and practical planning principles in performing duties, which are broad in scope and impact and involve many variables and considerations, often with conflicting aspects. Incumbent exercises independent judgment in interpreting precedents and applying ordinances to individual cases and complex circumstances.

RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent makes a major contribution to development and implementation of department objectives, policies, and procedures. Incumbent receives general supervision and discusses unprecedented situations with the Executive Director, decisions, and work products are reviewed primarily for adherence to instruction/guidelines, compliance with legal requirements and state statutes, and attainment of department goals and objectives.

Incumbent reports directly to the Executive Director.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County and City departments, the Area Plan Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals, local, state, and federal elected officials, federal and state regulating agencies, developers, attorneys, surveyors, engineers, civic/neighborhood organizations, and the public, for purposes of exchanging information, explaining/interpreting policies, procedures, and codes, and directing/coordinating Division operations and personnel.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs a majority of duties in an office environment involving sitting and/or operating a computer for long periods, sitting and walking at will, lifting/carrying objects weighing less than 25 pounds, close and far vision, depth and color perception, hearing communication, bending, reaching, crouching/kneeling, and handling/grasping/fingering objects. Incumbent regularly works extended and/or evening hours and occasionally travels out of town for meetings/conferences, sometimes overnight.