LAND USE & BUILDING SERVICES DIRECTOR

General Statement of Duties

The director performs all advanced planning duties for Elmore County in compliance with state, federal, and local codes and regulations. The director plans, organizes, directs, and manages the Land Use and Building Department staff, work efforts, resources, and budget. The Director advises other offices and department of the County, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and the Board of County Commissioners regarding all planning, zoning, building, floodplain, and code enforcement issues and policies and their impact relative to alternative courses of action.

Classification Summary

The Director is the chief administrative officer and technical expert of the Land Use and Building Department. This position is responsible for proper administration and management of all planning, zoning, development, building and code violation matters and activities in Elmore County. Supervision is exercised over subordinate professional, technical and administrative staff. The Director makes independent decisions and reports to the Board of County Commissioners who review work performance for the effective functioning of the department. The principal duties of the position are performed in a general office environment, with some field inspection of development sites. Work requires attendance at evening meetings.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manages the overall operation of the Land Use and Building Department;
• Provides day to day supervision to all department staff;
• Administers Zoning and Development Ordinance (Titles 6-12) on day-to-day activities of the Department;
• Interviews, hires, trains, disciplines and removes employees in accordance with County personnel policies;
• Prepares detailed budget and revenue forecast annually;
• Monitors and administers department budget in accordance with County policy and guidelines for use of public funds;
• Keeps the Board of Commissioners advised of the financial condition of the department and presents recommendations for future needs;
• Monitors growth and development in Elmore County and continuously assesses needs of the Department;
• Requests positions or consultants as needed to the Board of County Commissioners;
• Assigns work and oversees work products of department staff and consultants after identifying their skillsets
• Works closely with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in ensuring that all land use, building and code enforcement activities are done in a legally defensible manner;
• Guides growth and development activities with other offices and departments of the County after assessing their impacts on the county resources, services, and revenues;
• Serves as Elmore County Flood Ordinance Administrator;
• Oversees administrative staff in preparation of all regular and special meeting agendas of the Planning and Zoning Commission as required by the State and County Code;
• Represents the County in public or private meetings and functions;
• Ensures that public inquiries are responded in a timely manner;
• Requires preparation of special studies from large projects on behalf of all county officials.
• Conducts independent research and prepares plans and reports relating to a wide variety of community development, planning and zoning, building, and code enforcement issues;
• Oversees zoning ordinance, comprehensive plan, capital improvements plans, and other programs and projects of Elmore County;
• Develops and delivers reports and presentations to the Board of County Commissioners and public groups concerning policies, projects and compliance issues;
• Attends and arranges meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions to keep staff and decision makers informed of current industry practices;
• Reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work areas;
• Conducts oral presentations and public hearings to inform the public of proposed community development activities, as needed;
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with state and federal agencies to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of development review activities; and
• Performs other Duties and Responsibilities as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Organizational awareness and executive functions;
• Project management and leadership principles and practices;
• Personnel issues and human resources needs;
• Local Land Use and Planning Act (LLUPA) and International Building/Residential Codes (IBC/IRC)
• Planning, zoning, land surveying, civil engineering, building construction, real estate development, utility and public works related laws, policies, and regulations;
• Planning, zoning, building and code enforcement related current industry practices;
• Comprehensive Planning, Strategic Planning, and Current Planning principles, procedures, techniques, and their implications;
• State and federal regulations concerning land use, building, and environmental matters; and
• Socio-economic, demographic, and legal research techniques.

Ability to:

• Create and maintain a solutions driven workplace;
• Make independent decisions, recognizing established procedures and practices;
• Use resourcefulness and tact in addressing new problems and challenges;
• Represent the County with courtesy and good judgment;
• Prepare reports, plans, and studies to accurately interpret County ordinances and codes;
• Write reports clearly and accurately for conveying technical information to the public in a simple manner;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with department personnel, county and city personnel, developers, economic development personnel, citizen groups, and the public;
• Lead and develop a team of employees and resolve conflicts;
• Provide quality public services in a cost-effective manner and recommend improved methods of performing the work;
• Attend numerous public meetings, and conduct monthly/weekly public hearings/public meetings;
• Learn and apply new skills and knowledge in a consistently changing environment;
• Communicate well with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non- technical language;
• Use logical and creative thought-processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions;
• Perform all work duties and activities in accordance with County policies, procedures and safety practices.
• Operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks;
• Make sound and reasonable decisions in accordance with laws, ordinances, regulations and established procedures; and
• Integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

Experience and Training

• Bachelor’s degree in Community and Regional Planning, Public Administration, Management, or a related field; and
• Five years of professional experience, with at least 3 years in a managerial role within a planning organization; or
• A master’s degree, which account for 2 years of managerial experience; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training to include AICP, CFM, AIA, etc. which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Special Qualifications

• Certified Member of American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable.
• Certified Member of Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) is desirable.
• Certified Member of American Institute of Architects (AIA) is desirable.
• Valid Idaho Driver’s License.

Essential Physical Abilities

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate effectively on the telephone and in person;
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to review, evaluate and prepare a variety of written documents and materials;
• Sufficient manual dexterity with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate computer equipment and other office equipment;
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to work in an office setting and inspect zoning violations as required.

This position will remain open until filled.