Planning & Development Director

DESCRIPTION Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, manages, and provides administrative direction and oversight for all functions and activities of the Planning and Development Department including planning, engineering, building, and compliance inspections; formulates departmental policies, goals, and directives; coordinates assigned activities with other City departments, officials, outside agencies, and the public; fosters cooperative working relationships among City departments and with intergovernmental, regulatory agencies, and various public and private groups; provides highly responsible and complex professional assistance to the City Manager in areas of expertise; and performs related duties as assigned. Receives administrative direction from the City Manager. Exercises direct supervision over supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff through subordinate levels of supervision.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Assumes full management responsibility for all Planning and Development Department programs, services, and activities including planning, engineering, building, and compliance inspections.Develops, directs, and coordinates the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the department; establishes appropriate budget, service, and staffing levels.Manages and participates in the development and administration of the department's budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures; implements budgetary adjustments as necessary.Selects, trains, motivates, and directs department personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns.Contributes to the overall quality of the department's service by developing, reviewing, and implementing policies and procedures to meet legal requirements and City needs; continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; implements change.Monitors legal, regulatory, technology, and societal changes and court decisions that may affect the work of the department; determines equipment acquisition, training programs, and procedural changes to ensure retention of qualified staff and the provision of services to the community in an effective, efficient, and economical manner.Oversees the development of consultant requests for proposals for professional services and the advertising and bid processes; evaluates proposals and recommends project award; coordinates with legal counsel to determine City needs and requirements for contractual services; negotiates contracts and administers them after award.Creates and updates long‑range planning documents such as the City's General Plan, Climate Action Plan, General Plan Housing Element, and other assigned plans; prepares modifications to General Plan Elements, the Zoning Ordinance, and other applicable ordinances and policies.Oversees and participates in the activities of the City's Planning and Housing Commission and the Historic Preservation Board; serves as the liaison with the City Manager's Office concerning development issues; maintains significant contact with developers and ensures development projects benefit the City; serves as a technical advisor to the Planning and Housing Commission, Historic Preservation Board, City Council, and City staff; participates in and makes presentations to the City Council and a wide variety of committees, boards, and commissions.Serves as project manager for complex planning projects, including analyzing and evaluating site plans, performing technical review for project plans and applications, reviewing environmental documents, ensuring mitigation is properly implemented, and making recommendations.Represents the department to other City departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; explains and interprets departmental programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.Conducts a variety of departmental organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the areas of responsibility.Directs the maintenance of working and official departmental files.Prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the City Manager.Responds to the most complex and difficult inquiries and requests for information; provides information and resolves service issues and complaints; represents the department with other City departments, other agencies, civic groups, developers, and the public.Serves as a spokesperson for the department at a variety of community events, meetings, and other public relations activities.Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.Performs other duties as assigned.QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES Knowledge of:Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.Principles and practices of leadership.Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction.Strategic plan development.Managing and administering complex budgets.Contract management.Risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.Public administration in a municipal setting.Functions, authority, and responsibilities of an elected City Council.Program analysis, policy, and operational planning.General Plan, land use, zoning, land development, and environmental laws.Site planning, architectural review, subdivision design, and related analytical studies.City codes, ordinances, standard operating manuals, personnel policies and procedures, and applicable memoranda of understanding.City planning, zoning, and land development procedures.Community involvement methods.Development of presentations and information distribution.Technical and administrative reports and business correspondence.Research methods and techniques.Federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.City and mandated safety rules and protocols.Customer service techniques for public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.English language mechanics, including spelling, grammar, and composition.Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program coordination.Ability to:Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.Provide administrative and professional leadership for the Planning and Development Department.Prepare and administer large and complex budgets.Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards.Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional, and technical personnel.Select and supervise staff; provide training and development opportunities; evaluate performance.Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.Effectively administer special projects with contractual agreements.Administer community development programs and administrative activities.Perform and negotiate cost/benefit analyses.Plan, analyze, and evaluate programs and services, operational needs, and fiscal constraints.Make effective public presentations to elected bodies and the public on development projects.Represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, contractors, vendors, community groups, and professional organizations.Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare technical staff reports.Direct the establishment of filing, recordkeeping, and tracking systems.Organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow up on assignments.Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.Use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.Establish, maintain, and foster positive working relationships with stakeholders.Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. Education: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in urban or regional planning, public administration, architecture, or a related field. Experience: Eight (8) years of increasingly responsible administrative government experience in planning, building, housing, or a related field, including five (5) years of management experience, preferably at a Deputy Director or Director level.PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers to retrieve, file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.#J-18808-Ljbffr