Planning Supervisor

The hiring range for this position is $81,777.93 - $132,480.27 commensurate with experience.

This position is telework eligible after 6 months of successful employment.

Charles County is seeking a dynamic, team-oriented professional with strong leadership and communication skills to serve as the Zoning Supervisor. This position will oversee the crucial functions of the Site Development Plan Process, Residential/Commercial Architectural Design Review, and the daily implementation of the County Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Supervisor manages a staff of six and is responsible for administering the Board of Appeals, providing guidance, analysis, and interpretation of the Zoning Ordinance, and processing Zoning Text and Map Amendments. This position will be actively involved in a comprehensive update and modernization of the Charles County Zoning Ordinance now underway, ensuring that Charles County’s continued growth aligns with the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan. The Zoning Supervisor will be instrumental in leading an effective team and maintaining a fair, efficient, and transparent zoning process for the community.

• Supervises planning staff and project teams, management of specialized planning work in an assigned functional area.
• Supervises planning staff:  assign and review work, and take actions to adjust work, staffing and operations to meet requirements.  Select, train and evaluate staff, and take appropriate actions to improve performance when necessary.  Initiate actions regarding hiring, transfer, promotion, payroll, leave, performance and other personnel actions.
• Monitors staff functions and initiate appropriate corrective actions as necessary.
• Develops, reviews and evaluates studies, reports and recommendations and take or recommend appropriate actions.
• Applies various specialized analyses including environmental, land use, area and structure, economic and/or demographic, and statistical analysis as appropriate to projects to discern relevant issues and facts and formulate appropriate recommendations.
• Meets with parties involved, including developers and design professionals, to discuss and clarify issues and explain requirements; advise and assist parties on how to achieve compliance with applicable rules and regulations.
• Ensures consistent performance of staff in interpretation of policy and code.
• Ensures staff maintenance of project files and records and preparation of related reports including graphic materials, maps and other illustrative materials as necessary.
• Coordinates studies and projects, as necessary; make referrals and follow through on actions with agencies as necessary.
• Serves as final authority in decisions regarding specific project or case management decisions.
• Serves as liaison between the department and other agencies for a variety of applications and reviews to ensure the appropriate regulations are being met.
• Oversees review processes; assists in problem solving and maintaining project review schedules. Assist citizens with project specific questions, determine their needs, and provide them with necessary information.
• Responds to inquiries from the public, developers, landowners, attorneys and others involved in land use matters regarding procedures, compliance issues and related matters.
• Performs field visits and site inspections when necessary.
• Serves on boards and committees and work groups as assigned, providing technical support and assistance, often representing the County on a regional or state-wide basis.   Make presentations before the Planning Commission, Board of Appeals, County Commissioners, and the public.
• Assists in formulating and implementing planning projects or policies and code changes and ensure these codes are up to date and distributed to the public and staff. 
• Coordinates with the County Attorney’s Office on Interpreting and administering County regulations, as well as the due process and legal obligations for various situations.
• Administers various programs as assigned.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned. 

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s Degree preferred in Planning or related field. Six (6) years of progressively responsible professional planning experience, or an equivalent combination of education, experience and training. 

Licenses or Certifications:

Must possess a valid driver's license.

Special Requirements/Qualifications:

AICP Certification (must receive within two years of employment)

Subject to work beyond the normal scheduled hours of work.

This position is required to receive climate competency training level 2.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of the principles, concepts and practices of land use planning and allied disciplines.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of supervision, training, and personnel management.
• Knowledge of effective techniques of supervision.
• Ability to determine the specific tasks and assignments to be performed, independently handling or assigning to staff new, unusual problems and deviations encountered in the work.
• Ability to be innovative and detail-oriented.
• Ability to manage multiple, high priority assignments.
• Ability to monitor, manage and supervise the work of an assigned functional area within the planning division.
• Ability to perform technically sound land use and related studies and formulate appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to interpret and apply applicable ordinances and rules and regulations to varied land use and related situations.
• Ability to develop and interpret planning and land use policies.
• Ability to develop and manage a functional or project budget.
• Ability to maintain records and prepare related reports and correspondence.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, including public presentations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others encountered in the work.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is sedentary with frequent periods of light physical activity and is performed in office and field surroundings.  Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for long periods; walk over uneven terrain; lift and carry up to 20 pounds; climb stairs, bend, reach, hold, grasp and turn objects; and use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards.   The work requires the ability to speak normally and to use normal or aided vision and hearing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Principal duties of this job are performed in a general office environment.

Department/Division:     Planning and Growth Management/Planning

Pay Grade:                           117

FLSA Status:                        Exempt

Telework Eligible:             Yes

Reports to:                          Assistant Chief of Planning or Zoning Administrator

Supervises:                          Planner I, II, or III   

Salary : $81,778 - $132,480