Chief Planner

City of DeLand

120 South Florida Avenue

DeLand, FL 32720

Phone: (386) 626-7000

 

Department: 118/Planning                                     Exempt: Yes

Reports To: Planning Director                                 Pay Grade/Wage: E103

Position Type: Full-Time                                         Hours: 40 hrs/week

Job Summary:

This position plans, organizes, manages and directs the review and implementation of the department’s projects. The employee provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Director and leads and mentors the planning staff. The employee also assists in the strategic planning, organization, and high-level management of the department and serves as the acting Director as assigned.

Job Description:

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with the direction and supervision of the department activities, functions, and personnel.
• Oversees comprehensive and current planning activities of the department and provides leadership on the day-to-day operations of the Planning Department.
• Provides guidance on the development of planning proposals, including Comprehensive Plan map and text amendments, Land Development Regulation amendments, zoning map and text amendments, annexation and development plan review requests.
• Provides direction on complex procedures, regulations, and code requirements, reviews and processes the more complicated and complex land use and zoning requests,
• Develops and implements policies, goals and objectives and ensures compliance with applicable laws, ordinances and regulations
• Coordinates the preparation, training, and implementation of new or revised policies, standards, and regulations.
• Works with other departments outside of Community Development to coordinate review and issuance of development permits.
• Directs and coordinates the efforts of the department with other municipal, county and state entities
• Attends City Commission, Planning Board, Technical Review Committee and other Community Development related boards and committees.
• Directs and supervises the gathering of information, preparing of formal reports and oral presentations on departmental activities.
• Writes, reviews, and edits official documents.
• Acts as technical advisor to the Director and other department heads on planning matters.
• Take a proactive approach to customer service issues.
• Make process improvement changes to streamline procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive information.
• Perform related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

• Principles and practices of planning and economic development.
• Principals and practices of electronic permitting and GIS.
• Principles and practices of creating affordable housing.
• Principles and practices of leadership, team building, management, supervision, training, and employee development.
• Principles and practices of budget and financial management.
• Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, ordinances and rules.
• Principles and practices of public administration and human resources as applied to function, including basic employee-relations concepts.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Urban Planning or related field is required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Four years of recent progressively responsible professional experience in community development, planning, and/or redevelopment.
• Two (2) years supervisory experience, preferably in a municipal environment.
• AICP certification preferred.

LICENSES AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of a valid Florida driver's license with an acceptable driving record is required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with others, including County, State, and Federal agencies, civic groups and the public.
• Ability to clearly and effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to develop and maintain good personal relationship with other employees and the public.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/ADA: While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to work inside in an office environment or outside in various weather conditions. The employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time performing repetitive functions and viewing display screens for extended periods of time. The employee may also be required to work outside on uneven surfaces, or in noisy conditions.

Lifting: Lift up to 45 Pounds
Vision: 20/20 or Corrected to 20/100
Environment: Office Work and Outside Work in Various Conditions
Hearing: Normal Noise Levels for Work Environment

*Class Descriptions are not intended to be restrictive. The use of (or absence of) a particular illustration of duties shall not be held to exclude or limit the authority of a Department Head to assign other duties which are similar and related to work.