Director of Planning

POSITION: Director of Planning

Full-Time, Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Venango County Planning Office

Franklin, PA

PAY GRADE: EXEMPT PAY GRADE THREE

$49,036.00 /yr

Administers and directs the overall Planning Department Program, including community and economic development projects and related land development issues within the County of Venango by creatively implementing new strategies, programs and financing techniques and by effectively establishing and managing a Regional Planning Commission within the County of Venango and cooperatively working with the Venango County Economic Development Authority.

1. Works in coordination with the VCEDA Director to pursue federal, state, local or private grant funding for a wide range of community and economic development projects throughout Venango County.

2. Works cooperatively with the VCEDA Director to enhance community and economic development efforts throughout Venango County.

3. Prepares grant applications to federal, state, local or private funding agencies.

4. Administers grants received from federal, state, local or private funding agencies by preparing and filing the required correspondence, reports and information.

5. Represents Venango County on the Northwest Rural Planning Organization’s Transportation Advisory Committee and submits, presents and advocates for transportation projects within Venango County through the TAC and PennDOT.

6. Works to update, maintain, or as necessary, re-write the Venango County Comprehensive Plan as a functional document which includes the development of the themes, goals and action plans that form the Comprehensive Plan.

7. Directs the department’s work to creatively develop projects, strategies and funding sources to implement the county’s comprehensive plan.

8. Assists in or directs the creation of RFP’s and bidding documents.

9. Works with project managers, construction managers and/or architects to develop and carry-out community and economic development projects.

10. Responsible for the administration of the Liquid Fuels County Aid program as well as the recordkeeping, correspondence and reports that are required. Works with the Finance Director to compile the Liquid Fuels Annual Report and comply with the Liquid Fuels Annual Audit.

11. Responsible for the administration of the Act 44 and Act 89 Liquid Fuels program as well as the recordkeeping, correspondence and reports that are required. Works with the Finance Director to compile the Liquid Fuels Annual Report and comply with the Liquid Fuels Annual Audit.

12. Works in coordination with PennDOT, local municipalities, the county maintenance manager and the Director to manage the local bridge inventory, review and catalog bridge reports, solicit transportation projects from municipalities and disseminate transportation funding opportunities to municipalities.

13. Responsible for the administration of the Act 13 Structurally Deficient Bridge Program as well as the recordkeeping, correspondence and reports that are required.

14. Works in coordination with PennDOT, local municipalities and county staff to pursue funding for bike and pedestrian improvement projects within Venango County.

15. Responsible for the administration of the Venango County Infrastructure Bank, including municipal outreach, application intake and advisory board duties.

16. Works collaboratively with community organizations to address housing issues in Venango County.

17. Oversees, and assists as necessary, in the administration of the county’s CDBG program, Cranberry Township’s CDBG program, Sugarcreek Borough’s CDBG program, the county’s Act 13 Bridge program, the county’s Liquid Fuels program, the county recycling program, administration of the county’s Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, the county’s housing demolition program and all other programs and responsibilities assigned to the Planning Office.

18. Works cooperatively with local municipalities to foster improved planning and development.

19. Designs, promotes and administers government plans and policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing and transportation.

20. Holds public meetings and confers with government officials, lawyers, developers, the public, and special groups to formulate and develop land use or community plans.

21. Assesses the feasibility of proposals and identifies necessary changes.

22. Prepares written review of plans, finding and conclusions.

23. Recommends to the Planning Commission Board the approval, denial or conditional approval of plans or proposals.

24. Determines the effects of regulatory limitations on projects.

25. Creates, prepares, or requisitions graphic and narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables such as population density.

26. Advises public officials, board and other appropriate parties on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, and possible alternatives.

27. Conducts field investigations, surveys, impact studies or other research in order to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory and physical factors affecting land use.

28. Obtains and maintains a working knowledge of local, state and federal agencies that can provide funding and technical support to Venango County, Venango County Planning, local municipalities and non-governmental agencies within Venango County.

29. Reviews with public officials, board and other appropriate parties the purpose of land use projects such as transportation, conservation, residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and community use.

30. Keeps informed about economic and legal issues involving zoning codes, building codes, and environmental regulations.

31. Supervises department staff and handles related personnel matters.

1. Attends meetings, training, and seminars as required.

2. Servers on outside agency committees on behalf of the Planning Office as required

3. Conducts presentations for various governmental, public and community organizations.

4. Performs other job-related duties as required.

Receives instruction and supervision from County Commissioners regarding work duties..

Supervisory duties involve hiring, evaluating, training, disciplining and directing activities of department staff.

1. Normally works indoors in adequate work space with adequate temperatures, ventilation and lighting.

2. Periodically works outdoors on project specific functions including active and/or inactive construction sites

2. Works indoors with average exposure to noise, disruptions and stress.

3. Normal indoor exposure to dust/dirt.

4. In some cases, field work may be required to verify merits of land developments which involves exposure to various weather conditions.

5. Subject to working evening or extended hours for meetings, seminars or other job-related duties.

6. Travels locally and occasionally longer distances to perform essential job duties.

1. Must possess ability to record, convey and present information, explain procedures and follow instructions.

2. Must be able to sit for long periods throughout the work day, with intermittent periods of standing, walking, bending, twisting, reaching and driving as necessary to carry out essential duties of job.

3. Dexterity requirements range from simple to coordinated movements of fingers/hands; feet/legs; torso necessary to carry out duties of job.

4. Sedentary work, with occasional lifting/carrying of objects with a maximum weight of forty pounds (cartons of documents, visual aid equipment).

5. Must be able to cope with the physical and mental stress of position.

6. Must be able to pay close attention to details and concentrate on work.

7. Must be able to travel to diverse locations throughout the County, to work evenings and occasional weekends “in the field”.

8. Must be able to effectively act as the chief spokesperson for the Planning Commission.

A Bachelor’s degree in planning or related field is required with three years’ planning experience required, or an acceptable combination of education and experience.

Demonstrated experience in program development, administration and personnel management required. Must be AICP certified or must attain certification within first three years of employment.

1. Must be able to speak and understand the English language in an understandable manner in order to carry out essential functions of job.

2. Must possess effective communication and interpersonal skills.

3. Must possess initiative and problem-solving skills.

4. Must possess ability to function independently, have flexibility and the ability to work effectively with County and court side agencies and others.

5. Must possess ability to maintain confidentiality in regard to County information and records.

6. Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

7. Must possess knowledge of principles and practices of management and supervision, and the ability to plan and delegate and oversee work; including, but not limited to, effective hiring, evaluating, training, scheduling, disciplining, and coordinating of subordinates.

8. Must possess knowledge and ability to prepare budgets and grants and to analyze and direct financial aspects within the department.

9. Must possess the ability to resolve problems in an efficient and effective manner.

10. Must possess thorough knowledge of planning and County policies, procedures and practices, and the ability to carry these out and to interact effectively with other departments and agencies regarding same.

11. Must possess the ability to coordinate a number of services and activities, and planning activities with the activities of other County departments and with other levels of government.

12. Must possess a thorough knowledge of current social and economic and health resources and the ability to utilize these resources effectively in dealing with County activities.

13. Must possess ability to analyze and direct research and plans relating to regional development, transportation and agriculture within the County.

14. Must possess ability to present seminars and instructions to general public and various government offices and public agencies to promote County planning and development. (i.e., is the chief County spokesperson on “planning” matters).

15. As a senior executive the incumbent must maintain an effective working relationship with the board and other elected and appointed Senior County managers.

16. Must possess the ability manage and coordinate a number of services and activities with the activities of other County departments and with other levels of government.

17. Must possess initiative and problem-solving skills and the ability to interact effectively with elected and appointed officials, developers, project managers, attorneys, federal, state and local agencies regarding planning and development projects, grant submissions and other projects as required.

18. Must possess considerable knowledge of and be able to read and interpret complex regulations, ordinances and legal opinions regarding subdivision, land development and stormwater topics.

19. Must possess the capacity to read, interpret and explain engineered drawings and reports regarding Post-Construction Stormwater Management and engineering reviews of those documents.

20. Must be able to synthesize connections between identified local problems, available funding sources and program goals identified in various sources in order to develop strategies to mitigate the identified problem.

21. Must be familiar with Microsoft Office software, such as Excel and PowerPoint and possess the ability to become proficient with software such as Google Earth, Deed Plotter and Adobe Creative Cloud.

ATTENTION APPLICANTS:

All applicants are required to submit a County Application for Employment in order to be considered for this position.

Veterans claiming veterans’ hiring preference must provide a valid DD214 form that clearly displays an honorable or general discharge and dates of service completed.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Employer will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the Employer.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: 04/30/2025 at 4:00 p.m.

EOE M/F/D/V **THE COUNTY OF VENANGO IS A DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE.**

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $49,036.00 per year

Benefits:

• AD&D insurance
• Dental insurance
• Dependent care reimbursement
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Loan forgiveness
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance
• Wellness program

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person

Salary : $49,036