Under the general supervision of the Planning Director, the Assistant Planning & Zoning Director, performs professional planning work of moderate difficulty with increasingly specialized knowledge in the area of regional and community planning, performs routine technical tasks and assists the Planning Director with a wide variety of more complex assignments, and conducts extensive research related to planning studies designed to support the planning process. Works under general supervision.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Serves as Planner on call, acting as the departments point of contact for telephone, email, and counter inquiries.
- Perform research and determine compliance of land use proposal with the zoning and subdivision regulations, and conformance with the comprehensive plan.
- Receive, review and process incoming applications i.e., zoning and subdivision, site plan, fireworks, floodplain development permits, building permit site plan review, zoning verifications, etc.
- Read and interpret geographic, property and mapping documents, construction drawing, deeds, maps, ownership records, legal descriptions, plats, survey data and reports.
- Provide general office support to Planning and Zoning Department.
- Assists the Planning Director with duties as liaison to the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Board of County Commissioners.
- Conducts review of various development applications including plats, permits, site plans variance requests and rezoning.
- Writes and presents staff reports to Planning Commission, County Commission.
- Attends monthly planning commission meeting/hearings and presents staff reports.
- Assist with updates and maintenance of Comprehensive Plan and land development regulations.
- Writes and presents staff reports for the Board of Zoning Appeals.
- Investigate alleged zoning violations, conduct field inspections, and maintain accurate records with possible notification of violation and potential enforcement through codes court.
- Perform special projects and tasks related to planning and zoning issues.
- Attends County Commission meetings in the absence of the Planning Director.
- Assists Director with inspections of flooded properties for compliance with FEMA and floodplain regulations.
- Assume duties of the Director in his/her absence.
Position Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED, Master’s degree with 2 years’ experience in planning or bachelor’s degree with 4 years’ experience in planning, desirable
- Three to five year’s planning experience
- AICP, CFM certification preferred and must be maintained
- Master’s degree preferred in one of the following fields of study: land use planning, architecture, engineering, political science, geography, or another relevant field. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
- Valid Driver’s License
Knowledge:
- Computer software programs and applications such as MS Office.
- County and/or city government administration.
- Well-developed knowledge of regional and community planning principles and practices
- Principles, methodology, and practices of research and data collection
- Statistical, algebraic, or geometric knowledge and ability to apply such knowledge in practical situations
- Basic business data processing principles and the use of word processing or personal computing equipment.
- Policies and procedures related to the department to which assigned.
Skills
- Excellent customer service skills with the ability to interact in a positive and professional manner to develop and maintain strong working relationships with co-workers, management, and general public.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly communicate goals, interests, and positions during discussions.
- Project management skills, including organization, coordination of duties, and/or accomplishment of goals.
- Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to prioritize.
- Group facilitation skills for use with community workshops.
Abilities:
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business documents and/or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedures.
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and/or the general public.
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals
- Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
- Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Must be able to analyze many variables and choose the most effective course of action for the organization at any given point in time.
- Ability to operate computer programs/software/platforms used by the County to perform job duties.
- Ability to use basic office equipment.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to review plans and apply provisions of the ordinances and codes to determine compliance with such regulations and to apply regulations to field conditions.
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and meet deadlines.
- Ability to manage difficult/stressful situations when dealing with the public using tact and professionalism.
- Ability to attend to details while keeping big-picture goals in mind.
- Ability to work independently or in a team environment as needed.
- Exercise judgment and develop alternatives while maintaining good interpersonal and public relations
- Must be able to attend and participate in conferences, meetings, hearings, or presentation as required or requested (including evenings).
- Perform field inspections
The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Work location(s) of the job:
- Indoors – Constantly. Usually well lit, heated and/or air-conditioned indoor office setting with adequate ventilation.
- Outdoors - Occasionally
- Objectionable condition(s) found on the job:
- Computer Use – Constantly
- Driving/Travel – Occasional local travel, which may involve exposure to extreme weather conditions.
- Stressful situations may occur when dealing with the public.
- Undesirable health and safety condition(s) under which employee must perform:
- May be exposed to environmental hazards when performing flood plan management duties.
- Machines, Tools and/or Equipment Used:
- Basic office equipment to include computer, copy machine, fax machine, printer, telephone system.
- Computer software programs and applications such as MS Office.
- Physical characteristics/requirements of the job:
- Sit/Stand/Walk - Regularly
- Kneeling – Occasionally
- Crouching – Occasionally
- Using Fingers/hands – Frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms.
- Talking - Frequently
- Hearing – Frequently; noise level is usually moderate.
- Seeing – Constantly
- Vision Abilities – close and distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
- Lifting/Moving – Occasionally; seldom lifting/moving a maximum weight of 20 pounds.