Deputy Director- Planning

Posting Notice: Writing Sample Required during interview process. Erie County offers a generous fringe benefit package including: low cost medical, dental, and vision; fourteen paid holidays; up to eleven combined personal and vacation days in the first year of employment.

Definition of Class

• This is a management level professional position responsible for assisting the Director with coordination, administration and ensuring the execution of all planning program activities. The professional in this class coordinates and performs activities with local, state, and federal agencies, in accordance with each planning program area. Additionally, this position will be responsible for municipal planning, land use and zoning ordinance development for Erie County and its municipalities.
• The position requires a responsible mature professional who is capable of working independently as well as supervising other staff on various projects as needed. Supervision is received from the Director, with the work being completed requiring final review by the Director for completeness, quality, and adherence to established standards. The Director may also assign additional work tasks not listed here.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Interprets and applies applicable state, county and local codes, ordinances and regulations.
• Assists with updates and maintenance of County Comprehensive Plan and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
• Conducts extensive research in specific or general project areas.
• Writes and presents formal and technical reports and plans.
• Identifies community problems, issues, and opportunities in particular neighborhoods that could be mitigated through better community planning.
• Develops long range comprehensive plans for communities.
• Develops strategies to promote economic and community development or efficient land use consistent with community goals.
• Evaluates adequacy of community facilities in meeting current and projected needs.
• Recommends priorities, schedules, and funding sources to implement public improvements plan.
• Writes, or assists in writing, a variety of ordinances and regulations relating to development controls.
• Attends substantial number of evening and weekend meetings.
• The above statements reflect the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Well-developed knowledge of planning principles and practices
• General knowledge of planning specialties, such as land use planning/zoning, transportation planning, environmental planning, urban design, housing, historic preservation, or economic development
• Knowledge of principles, methodology, practices of research and data collection
• Knowledge of effective writing techniques
• Knowledge of or experience in community redevelopment, and knowledge of relevant Federal programs
• Knowledge of computer programs and applications, which may include Microsoft Office, Internet applications
• Familiar with GIS capability and applicability
• Oral communication and interpersonal skills to present research findings to various municipal boards and planning commissions
• Creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve less well- defined practical problems
• Ability to review plans and apply provisions of the ordinances and codes to determine compliance with such regulations and to apply regulations to field conditions
• Group facilitation skills for use with community workshops
• Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment as needed
• Ability to attend to details while keeping big-picture goals in mind
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to facilitate in-person and virtual public participation activities

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Planning or related field
• Minimum of 2 years of Professional Planning Experience in Local, County or Regional Planning
• Must have a Valid Driver's License

Preferred Qualifications

• AICP certification
• 2 years of Leadership/Management experience