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• Plans, supervises, and directs the work of a group of planners, technicians, and/or administrative assistants in land use planning, development review, research, public facilities planning, environmental planning and related projects;
• Coordinates responses to complex planning, zoning and/or development review questions received by the branch, division and/or the department;
• Supervises report production and distribution, legal advertising, scheduling of public hearings, and/or posting of property;
• Participates in negotiation sessions, meetings and conferences with the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, developers and/or citizens;
• Prepares and presents reports to County Boards and other groups;
• Provides policy guidance and interpretations of documents and materials relevant to the Division, such as the Comprehensive Plan;
• Presents staff’s position at public meetings before the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and other bodies;
• Reviews and/or edits complex documents involving elements such as land use, site design, transportation, architecture, capital improvement program planning, public facility site selection review, and trail planning efforts in Commercial Revitalization and other special areas;
• Assists in the establishment of policies, procedures and priorities for the operating programs of the division;
• Participates in the formulation, implementation, and maintenance of the department’s Strategic Plan;
• Completes semi-annual and annual performance evaluations;
• Hires new employees, including formulating questions, interviewing, and selecting employee;
• Trains and mentors/coaches new employees within the branch;
• Reviews and edits all written documents produced by the branch;
• Represents the Division Director at meetings with county staff, developers, applicants, and citizen groups;
• Represents the department and the county in negotiations with applicants, citizens, county staff and others on specific areas of expertise as it relates to the position;
• Provides expert testimony in a court-of-law regarding planning and/or zoning issues;
• May serve as Acting Director in the absence of the Division Director;
• Reviews contract management tasks performed within branch;
• Authorizes payments to consultant contractors for professional services.

• Thorough knowledge of the adopted Comprehensive Plan and county policies and procedures as they relate to planning and zoning applications;
• Thorough knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of urban planning and zoning;
• Thorough knowledge of local government areas of specialization, including planning or zoning, management procedures, and principles of supervision;
• Ability to write, proofread, edit, and rewrite documents effectively and to critique and edit the work of others in the series;
• Ability to apply interpersonal skills to resolve conflicts and to maintain effective communication with staff;
• Ability to supervise and coordinate the work of assigned staff, including making equitable assignments and assuring that deadlines are met;
• Ability to identify process/ programmatic problems, to envision and propose effective solutions, and to apply consistently sound judgment in a variety of situations;
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers, elected and appointed officials, development representatives and citizen groups;
• Ability to coordinate the preparation of comprehensive planning reports;
• Ability to apply principles of leadership, creative problem solving, collaboration, decision making, and team building;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to communicate the department’s mission, goals, and values to staff, elected officials, and citizens.

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in a planning-related field; plus five years of experience in a planning-related field (preferably in the specific area of assignment). A master's degree may be substituted for one year of the required experience. The years of experience should include a minimum of three years of experience in the specific area of assignment, e.g., zoning evaluation, zoning administration, zoning enforcement, public facility, environmental and/or land use planning.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer. The appointee will need to be able to work evenings and weekends as needed to attend meetings and to complete projects in a timely manner.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Demonstrated project management and leadership ability. Professional experience in long-range planning, especially for transit-oriented development and redevelopment/revitalization in mixed use centers of suburban and emerging urban areas. Participation in population and employment cooperative forecasting. Knowledge of heritage resources planning. Knowledge of urban design principles. Ability to use personal computer for GIS and design applications. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Master's degree in planning or a related field. Extensive public agency experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work is generally sedentary. However, employee may be required to do some walking; lifting/carrying of up to 10 pounds; site visits/inspection; and keyboarding.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.