Zoning and Development Division Director

Zoning and Development Division Director

Salary

$121,088.00 - $184,659.00 Annually

Location

Gwinnett County, GA

Job Type

Full-Time Appointed

Job Number

26-03737

Department

Department of Planning and Development

Opening Date

04/18/2026

Closing Date

6/18/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

FLSA

Exempt

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Class Summary

REVISED 6/4/26

Job Description

The Zoning and Development Division Director is responsible for daily management and operation of the Current Planning Division. This position provides strategic, managerial, and technical direction over the County's current planning and permitting operations, ensuring alignment with the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), Unified Plan and other County priorities.

The Zoning and Development Division Director is expected to oversee the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals processes, interpret and amend the UDO, and support development reviews. This position works closely with the Department and County leadership, elected officials, and community stakeholders to guide equitable, sustainable, and well-planned growth across Gwinnett County.

Essential Duties

• Manage daily operations of the Current Planning Division to ensure successful execution of projects and initiatives that align with Gwinnett County's vision and goals and comply with the Unified Development Ordinance.
• Oversee the Planning Commission, Board of Commissioners and Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing processes.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and well-supported recommendations for rezonings, special use permits, change in conditions and variance applications.
• Oversee development reviews, including special administrative permits, land disturbance permits, plats, and building permits, for compliance with the UDO and other applicable ordinances and regulations.
• Interpret the UDO and recommend amendments to reflect planning trends and address emerging issues.
• Assist with the interpretation and amendment of other County Ordinances, including the Tree Ordinance and Sign Ordinance.
• Coordinate across divisions/departments to ensure efficient and effective operations.
• Give presentations to the Board of Commissioners, Planning Commission, external agencies, community groups and other County departments.
• Serve as the primary liaison to developers to understand their concerns, facilitate conflict resolutions, and share code/policy updates.
• Build and strengthen working relationships and partnerships with citizens, community groups, external agencies, board members, and elected officials to build consensus and navigate political, technical, and community dynamics.
• Lead special projects such as technology enhancements, and the developing and/or updating of standard operating procedures and training materials.
• Monitor Division performance metrics to evaluate effectiveness, responsiveness, and customer service outcomes.
• Create and monitor Division budget to ensure strategic resource allocation.
• Oversee recruitment, training, coaching, mentoring, and performance evaluation of Division staff.
• Promote a culture of innovation, collaboration, excellence, continuous improvement, and accountability, in support of the department-wide workplace culture building efforts.

Public Speaking Duties

• Planning Commissioner and Zoning Board of Appeals

Grade

The grade for this position is 304. Salary will be dependent on education and experience.

Effective 4/11/2023, this position is eligible for the Employee Referral Program.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Public Administration, or a field related to community development AND

• Ten years of progressively responsible experience related to the area of assignment, including two years experience as a manager

• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above will also be considered.

• Profound understanding of land use planning, zoning, development, plats, and related regulations

• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills

• Valid Driver's License from state of residency.

Preferred Qualifications in addition to the above minimum qualifications

• Masters Degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Public Administration, or a field related to community development AND
• Five years of upper management/supervisory experience or director role
• Strong knowledge of Georgia planning law, zoning procedures, and local government operations
• Excellent public speaking skills

For information related to position-specific essential duties, knowledge and skills, and physical requirements, please click here.

Note: The class specifications listed on this website are not the official class specifications for Gwinnett County and are subject to change.

For more information about this department, please click here.

Additional Information

About Gwinnett County

Welcome to Gwinnett County Government

Gwinnett County Government is an award-winning employer that believes in investing in its employees by providing corporate level benefits, a wellness program, professional development opportunities, career advancement, and more

Careers with impact

Gwinnett County sets the standard as a dynamic, vibrant community where all people can enjoy economic opportunities, safe neighborhoods, plentiful greenspace, and recreational facilities. We are committed to hiring those who share our dedication to making life better for our residents and business owners. The culture of superior service that our employees have created reflects that standard and helps staff, residents, and stakeholders remain vibrantly connected.

Exceptional benefits

Working for Gwinnett County comes with exceptional benefits, including health coverage, a robust wellness program (Spouses can participate, too!), onsite employee wellness center, longevity pay, tuition reimbursement, and more. The value of Gwinnett County benefits can be up to 49 percent of an individual's total compensation.

World-class community

More than a million residents make up Gwinnett's diverse community. The County is located just 45 minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and 30 minutes from downtown Atlanta. Georgia Highway 316 reduces travel time to the University of Georgia to 25 minutes.

Gwinnett County is an award-winning employer!

• Atlanta's Healthiest Employer by Atlanta Business Chronicle
• Green Communities Platinum Certification for Gwinnett County from the Atlanta Regional Commission
• Top 100 Healthiest Workplaces in America by Springbuk and PR NewsWire and more!

Vision

Gwinnett is the preferred community where everyone thrives!

Mission

Gwinnett proudly supports our vibrantly connected community by delivering superior services.

Values

Integrity: We believe in being honest, building trust, and having strong moral principles.

Accountability: We believe in stewardship, transparency, and sustainability.

Equity: We believe in fairness and respect for all.

Inclusivity: We believe in engaging, embracing, and unifying our communities.

Innovation: We believe in continual adaptation of technology, process, and experience.

Hiring Process

Gwinnett County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information regarding our hiring process, please click the links below:

• Hiring Process
• FAQs

Gwinnett County is committed to creating a diverse workforce. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we prohibit discrimination on the basis of genetic information (including sex), race, color, national origin (including ancestry), gender (identity and expression), sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status (including pregnancy), disability, military or veteran status, religion, political affiliation, immigration status, homeless status, or any other category protected by law.

Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities may be requested. If you need an accommodation during the application, interview, or testing process, contact Human Resources at 770.822.7915 or HREmployeeRelations@GwinnettCounty.com. This email is only for accommodation requests; for questions related to job postings, use jobs@gwinnettcounty.com.

Our Benefits program is designed to support every aspect of our employees' lives, from physical and emotional to social and financial.

Along with their salary, employees receive a variety of comprehensive benefits as part of their total compensation.

On average, our employees' benefits are worth 48 percent of their base salary!

In other words, employees would spend nearly half of their pay to purchase these benefits on their own. For employees' medical premium alone, the County contributes an average of 91 percent of the cost!

Health

• Medical plans for active and retired employees
• Dental and vision plans
• Prescription drug plan

Wellness

• Onsite Employee Wellness Center
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Immunizations
• Wellness education and incentive programs
• Annual wellness fair

Family and Career

• Training and professional development opportunities
• Family planning benefits
• Four weeks of paid parental leave

Time

• Annual/Sick Leave
• 12 paid holidays per calendar year
• 1 paid floating holiday per calendar year

Money

• Flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) available
• Health Savings Account (HSA) available
• Retirement and Savings Plans
• 401(a) Defined Contribution
• 457 (b) Deferred Compensation
• Longevity pay
• Tuition reimbursement
• Financial education programs

Protection

• Basic, optional, and dependent life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Critical illness and accident insurance
• Hospital indemnity insurance
• Identity theft protection

To learn more about the Benefits offered at Gwinnett County, click here.

01

Have you completed a degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Public Administration, or a field related to community development?

• Have not completed a degree in the specified fields of study
• Completed associate degree in the specified fields of study
• Completed bachelors degree in the specified fields of study
• Completed masters degree or higher in the specified fields of study

02

How many years of Georgia planning law, zoning procedures, and local government operations experience do you have?

• none
• less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years to less than 6 years
• 6 years to less than 7 years
• 7 years to less than 8 years
• 8 years to less than 9 years
• 9 years to less than 10 years
• 10 years to less than 11 years
• 11 years to less than 12 years
• 12 years to less than 13 years
• 14 or more years

03

Describe your Georgia planning law, zoning procedures, and local government operations experience. If none, type N/A.

04

How many years of upper management/supervisory experience do you have?

• none
• less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years to less than 6 years
• 6 years to less than 7 years
• 7 years to less than 8 years
• 8 years to less than 9 years
• 9 years to less than 10 years
• 10 or more years

Required Question

Employer Gwinnett County

Address 75 Langley Drive

Lawrenceville, Georgia, 30046

Phone 770.822.7915

770.822.7923

Website http://www.gwinnettcountyjobs.com