County Planner

Description

General Description of Duties

Performs professional, technical and administrative duties in directing the activities of the County’s program for current and long-range planning. An employee in this class plans, organizes and coordinates the County’s overall planning and zoning program which includes current and long-range planning, zoning code and other ordinance administration, and development consultation and review. Work involves providing guidance for the orderly long range growth and current development of the County and enforcement and updating of zoning and related codes; providing support to the Manager, Board of Commissioners, Planning Board and Board of Adjustment, as well as working with boards, commissions and community groups on planning issues; providing consultation to developers with respect to land subdivision standards; proactively addressing planning related issues via updates and revisions to subdivision and zoning ordinances; working collaboratively with utility and economic development staff to ensure infrastructure is consistent with the County’s land use plan; and representing the County on regional planning groups. Work involves extensive public contact explaining potential and allowable land uses, and requires coordination with other departments, boards, commissions, and the public. Extensive judgment and initiative are required in conducting research projects, compiling reports and making presentations, and making recommendations for various programs and functions of the County. Considerable tact and courtesy must be exercised in the public contact functions. Work is performed under general administrative direction of the County Manager and is evaluated through conferences, review of work, and overall acceptance of the programs by the County's citizens. The County Planner will serve as the department head over the County Planning, GIS & Building Inspection departments.

Duties and Responsibilities

· Develops, coordinates and directs a variety of special and continuing plans related to the growth, development, and redevelopment of the County, balances concerns for current and long-range planning efforts.

· Reviews plans for conformance to applicable codes and regulations; reviews petitions and citizen complaints relating to code enforcement; assures ordinances are current with state codes and recommends updates.

· Prepares and reviews comprehensive planning elements relating to a variety of social, economic, physical and community facility concerns including land use, zoning, and environmental impact; collects, analyzes and uses a variety of data to provide information on land uses and development.

· Reviews and signs plants and subdivision plans for compliance to codes; answers call from citizens and developers concerning subdivision and development regulations.

· Participates in meetings and public hearings to explain recommendations on planning proposals, answers citizen and developer questions regarding planning and related issues.

· Uses Geographic Information System (GIS) to develop maps of County infrastructure.

· Designs and manages a variety of processes to obtain input from the community and develop consensus among conflicted parties.

· Provides guidance to Manager, Commissioners and Planning Board in design, interpretation, and direction for planning studies and documents, and for local state and federal compliance requirements; represents the County on regional transportation and similar committees.

· Works with a variety of boards, including Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, County Council and ad hoc advisory committees; assures appropriate placement of notices and other procedures to assure legal compliance; assures correct minutes are made of meetings and actions.

· Provides planning services on a contracted basis to area municipalities.

· Manages departmental budget, tracks expenditures.

· Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

· Thorough knowledge of laws, regulations, policies and procedures related to land use planning, zoning, growth management, subdivision ordinances, community development, and local governments.

· Thorough knowledge of the environmental and socio-economics implications of the planning process and statues, laws, rules, and regulations affecting these functions.

· Considerable knowledge and skill in the design and facilitation of public input processes designed to build consensus among conflicted parties.

· Considerable skill in the collection, analysis, and presentation of data, recommendations, policies, and systems, and of grants management and reporting.

· Working knowledge of the principles and practices of community and economic development and public sector planning.

· Working knowledge of public management and organization theories, principles, practices, and techniques.

· Skill in building consensus, in collaborative problem-solving, and in conflict management.

· Ability to plan, organize, motivate, communicate, and evaluate the work of employees effectively.

· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community groups, federal, state, regional, and County officials, and the general public.

· Ability to prepare comprehensive reports and studies.

· Ability to express ideas effectively in oral and written forms.

Requirements

Minimum Training and Experience

Graduation from a college or university with a degree in planning, public administration or related field and experience in municipal planning, community development or related field; AICP desired; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Must have a valid NC Driver's License.

Physical Demands:

Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, kneeling, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Must be able to perform sedentary work exerting up to

10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, examine and work with maps, charts, and detailed materials, perform visual inspections, operate a computer, and do extensive reading.

Application Process

Submit an Anson County application to Roslynn K. Ingram, HR Manager at 101 South Greene St. Suite 240 Wadesboro, NC 28170 or email hr@ansoncountync.gov. Applications may be obtained at www.co.anson.nc.us.