Deputy Director, Planning and Development

Job Summary

This position, under the direction of the county’s Director of Planning and Development, is responsible for the oversight of direct daily activities in planning, development, zoning administration and enforcement, economic development, and engineering services related to community development plans. Work includes direct and indirect supervision of professional, technical, and support staff and assists the Director in the coordination of outside consultants. The employee in this class exercises substantial independent thinking within the limits of guidelines in order to satisfy the needs of the community. The position requires high-level analytical skills, and sound judgment to accomplish a wide range of management and administrative responsibilities.

Essential Functions

Essential Functions: These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.

Oversight of daily operations for the divisions of planning, zoning, forestry, permits, licensing, inspections, code enforcement, and other intergovernmental relations for development activities throughout the county.

Organizes prioritizes and assigns work while ensuring that subordinates have the proper resources needed to complete the assigned work. 

Monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work. 

Consults with assigned staff to assist with complex/problem situations and provide technical expertise. 

Prepares and maintains long term and short term goals and strategies.

Direct daily activities of planning, development, and administrative projects to coordinate community programs and oversee departmental activities.

Assist in the coordination of advisory committees to ensure citizen participation in community development plans.

Conduct monthly analysis of community development programs and prepare annual performance and evaluation reports.

Assist directors in developing community development plans, and establishing timelines and goals that accomplish strategy objectives.

Works to coordinate requests for assistance from other county departments, government agencies, or private organizations.

Assist in the coordination and management of the department budget, and participates in budget conferences with the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners.

Assist in the preparation of technical reports and recommendations regarding department matters to the Board of Commissioners, other government agencies, and private foundations as needed by the Director.

Responds to claims against the county, testifies in court and answers interrogatories on development, planning, and zoning issues in the absence of the Director of Planning and Development.

Selects supervises and evaluates Department personnel; oversees employee relations and grievances, supervisory training, staff development programs, interviews, hiring, and employee coaching.

Assist in the development of written and oral reports to the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners on a variety of policies and programs, through performing and assigning research for new programs or technological improvements in the planning, zoning, and business development areas.

Assist in facilitating proposed changes to county codes affecting the Planning and Development Department to ensure compliance with legal (state, local, and federal) regulations.

Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with a variety of citizens, and fosters key partnerships among public, private, and intergovernmental agencies to ensure the efficient construction and implementation of public agency projects.

Develops “non-traditional” technical and planning procedures, in pursuit of efficient use of public funds.

Additional Duties:

The employee in this classification may be expected to perform any related duties as required by proper authority.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

General Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations related to public agency construction, maintenance, land use, development practices, and zoning rules and regulations.

General Knowledge of alternative funding mechanisms for public agency construction projects.

Advanced knowledge of principles and practices of leadership, management, and supervision.

Advanced knowledge of grant writing for purposes of funding for planning, development, and infrastructure projects.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of the inter-relationships between various government agencies in the planning, zoning and business development arenas.

General knowledge of social, political, and environmental issues influencing program administration.

Advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of effective employee supervision.

General knowledge of the development of a master plan for a variety of infrastructure projects.

General knowledge of the inter-relationships between the planning and the construction of a variety of infrastructure projects.

General knowledge of civil engineering, design and construction.

General knowledge of administration, budgeting, and program management.

Ability to be a creative problem-solver with strong oral and written skills.

Ability to analyze complex technical and administrative problems by evaluating alternative solutions and adopting effective courses of action.

Working Conditions

The work is typically performed in an office and may require field visits during inclement weather and occasionally involving rough terrain.

Minimum Qualifications

1) Bachelor’s degree in planning, public or business administration, urban policy, civil engineering, or a related field.

2) Seven (7) years of progressively responsible related experience (e.g., in planning, urban policy, public administration, public works administration, or the civil engineering field).

3) Experience must include at least two (2) years of experience involving management of a variety of programs and supervision of a professional/administrative staff in a related field.

Preferences

1) Master’s degree in planning, public or business administration, urban policy, civil engineering, or a related field.

2) Local government experience in one or more of the above fields.