Comprehensive Planning Coordinator

REPORTS TO: Assistant Planning Director 
FLSA STATUS: Exempt – Executive
CLASSIFICATION: Regular Non-Merit - Serves at the discretion of the Department Director.
PAY GRADE: 124
SAFETY SENSITIVE:  No  

Purpose of Job The purpose of this job is to manage and coordinate the operations of the Comprehensive Planning Division. The Coordinator will act as the primary staff on long-range planning issues assigned to and developed within the Planning Department, and provide coordination and supervision for technical staff within the division. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, overseeing the administration of assigned boards (e.g. the Planning Commission, and regional transportation planning processes associated with MACORTS). Administering development-related ordinances, overseeing the issuance of zoning-related permits, preparing studies and reports, preparing and delivering presentations, providing direct coordination for the Comprehensive Planning Division, performing direct coordination for the Athens-Clarke County Plans Review process, performing special studies and projects, and performing additional tasks as assigned.

Job Related Requirements 

Regular and predictable attendance is required.  

Must work cooperatively with others.  

Required attendance at public meetings during weeknights as assigned.

May be requested to work on evenings for scheduled meetings and infrequently on weekends.  

When requirements include vehicle operation, responsible for the safety, readiness and operation of the vehicle and must abide by ACC's safe driving policy.

Bachelor's Degree in urban/regional planning, public administration, landscape architecture, environmental design, or related discipline with four years of planning or related experience required; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position.   

Two years of supervisory experience required.  Internal candidates who do not meet this requirement must complete the ACCGov Supervisory Equivalency.      

Two years' experience in zoning administration or community planning data management and analysis required.   

Must possess a valid driver's license.   

Master's Degree and AICP certification preferred. 

The following duties are normal for this job.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other duties may be required and assigned.  

Division Leadership

Leads the daily operations of the Comprehensive Planning Division within the Planning Department, including the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) functions, GIS services, and long range planning and special project administration. 

Supervises and evaluates assigned staff, handles all employee concerns, delegates’ assignments, counsels and disciplines employees when necessary, and completes employee performance appraisals. 

Plans and directs all internal operations of assigned program areas to ensure that program outcomes are achieved.

Develops and maintains detailed program policies and procedures. 

Prepares correspondence, reports, forms, flowcharts, graphs, spreadsheets, project schedules, and other documentation.

Reviews, processes, responds, forwards, maintains various documentation as appropriate.

Routinely maintains relevant data related to division programming and functions.

Responds to requests for information from government officials, Athens-Clarke County employees, the general public, and other individuals.

Supports Comprehensive Planning in the Community

Serves as the primary resource and liaison for internal departments and external stakeholders regarding long-range planning projects, programs, policies, and services in our community. 

Oversees the development of strategic plans and assessments related to housing and implements activities to address the outcomes from these reports. 

Coordinates programs internally and externally to ensure that programs complement each other, are not duplicated, and best serve the client.

Coordinates and manages multiple moderately complex projects at various stages of implementation, in coordination with identified partners and in compliance with state/federal requirements. 

Represents the department at public hearings, committee meetings and other planning project related meeting; plans, implements and attends housing workshops and seminars.

Defines and tracks key metrics, outcomes, and outputs related to the department’s community-wide comprehensive planning programs.

Prepares long range planning-related agenda items.

Provides oversight and supervision for the Metropolitan Planning Organization's transportation and transit planning personnel.

Provides routine oversight and supervision for the Planning Commission.

Coordinates the Review Process for all Type I, Type II, and Type III decisions as identified in Chapter 9-4 of the Athens-Clarke County Code or Ordinances.

Estimates existing population and employment in the community; prepares 20 year projections.  Prepares and maintains the Population Element of the Comprehensive Plan; assists in yearly updates estimates of population and employment down to the census block group level.

Prepares and maintains the Housing and Transportation Elements of the Comprehensive Plan, including assisting in Parks and Open Space planning.

Prepares, maintains and updates the Land Use, Economic Development and Community Facilities elements of the Comprehensive Plan; duties include preparing special area studies, recommendations, and preparing economic base, infrastructure and utilities studies.

Prepares special reports on topics such as the spatial location of new development and the amount of acreage of vacant land undergoing urbanization (by land use).

Prepares Requests for Proposals (RFP's); coordinates projects with consultants.

Responds to requests for information on demographic data including census information; acts as the Department's liaison with the Census Bureau.  Evaluates Developments of Regional Impact (DRI's) and coordinates the Unified Government's response to the State of Georgia.

Prepares, submits and reviews the division's budget and assists with preparing the department's budget; ensures compliance with both.

Coordinates projects with other departments of the Unified Government and with local, state and federal agencies as needed; ensures that departmental reviews are completed in a timely and effective manner.

Prepares Sector/Neighborhood plans for areas in the community including neighborhood land use updates, with support from other staff.

Coordinates with the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on planning activities in economically distressed areas in the community.

Maintains a comprehensive and current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws/regulations; appears in court as needed to justify recommendations.

Prepares and conducts presentations to the public, the governing body and other applicable organizations and groups; effectively communicating in potentially unstable environments/situations.

Provides instruction and direction to the general public and department visitors; receives, responds to or forwards departmental, governmental or public correspondence by phone, mail, message, etc.

Attends various training workshops, conferences, and committee and public meetings that may require meeting at night or overnight traveling; records minutes of meetings as assigned.

Evaluates and analyzes zoning, subdivision and building permit data; originates summary reports on important trends reflected in this analysis and its potential impact on the Comprehensive Plan.

Evaluates the draft plans of Unified Government line departments and works with them to ensure their consistency with the adopted Comprehensive Plan; incorporates changes in the plans into the Comprehensive Plan.

Identifies important GIS maps and databases needed to support comprehensive planning efforts in cooperation with the GIS/Graphics Division. Assists in the development and maintenance of a thorough database of pertinent information to support the Planning Department's Planning Data Services function, including the reviewing, classifying and evaluation of data.

Reviews and summarizes market conditions in the multi-family, commercial, and industrial economic sectors, including typical vacancy rates and prices for apartments, office space, etc.  Researches and prepares amendments and updates to land development regulations including zoning and subdivision regulations.

Performs other duties as required and/or assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the Planning Department as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the position of Coordinator.   

Knowledge of terminology and methodology used within the planning profession.   

Knowledge of all applicable laws, ordinances, policies, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.   

Knowledge of applicable legal and court processes.   

Knowledge of the principles and practices of comprehensive planning.   

Knowledge of management, human resource management and financial practices, policies and procedures as necessary in the completion of daily responsibilities.  

Knowledge of Geographical Information Systems.   

Ability to compile, organize, prepare, and maintain an assortment of records, reports, and information in an effective manner and according to departmental and/or governmental regulations.   

Ability to effectively communicate and interact with subordinates, supervisors, other employees, government officials and the public as they relate to the activities of the Planning Department.   

Ability to use independent judgment in routine and non-routine situations.  

Ability to handle the required mathematical calculations.   

Ability to understand computer applications and techniques as necessary in the completion of daily assignments.   

Ability to plan, organize, and/or prioritize daily or long range assignments and work activities.   

Ability to communicate effectively by written and oral means.   

Ability to prepare and deliver public presentations, reports or other documents in a concise, clear and effective manner.  

Ability to handle outside fieldwork.   

Ability to supervise subordinate employees.   

Ability to act independently with little or no instruction or supervision.   Ability to research and analyze related topics and to draw conclusions.

Knowledge of project management practices. 

Knowledge of management, human resource management/personnel, financial and multi-discipline practices, policies, and procedures as necessary in the completion of daily responsibilities.

Knowledge of meeting facilitation techniques and practices. 

Knowledge of community engagement strategies and technologies. 

Knowledge of any changes in policy, methods, operations, budgetary and equipment needs, etc. as they pertain to departmental and human resource/personnel operations and activities.

Knowledge of the use of computers and various computer software programs relevant to the position.

Knowledge of grant writing and reporting, and the ability to formulate grant applications and interpret and manage grant contracts.  

Knowledge of regulatory agency compliance issues and processes.  Ability to develop and administer policies, procedures, plans and activities and to monitor the performance of subordinates against measured established goals.

Ability to work both collaboratively and independently with limited supervision. Ability to provide team leadership in a diverse setting.

Ability to prepare, administer, and monitor multiple and detailed project budgets and anticipate future budgetary needs. 

Ability to formulate goals, identify needs, develop and implement strategies.  

Ability to prepare and deliver public presentations and to communicate effectively with citizens and diverse special interest groups. Has organizational, management, human relations, and technical skills.  

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, elected officials, and appointed boards.  

Ability to handle required calculations using statistical calculations.

Ability to read, understand and interpret personnel and financial reports and related materials.

(ADA) MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including computers, calculators, scanners and other office equipment. Must be able to use body members to work, move or carry objects or materials. This position requires:  walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, seeing, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.   Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those of light work.  

DATA CONCEPTION: Requires the ability to compare and or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving assignments and/or directions from supervisors. 

LANGUAGE ABILITY: Requires ability to read a variety of reports, financial statements, balance sheets, reimbursement requests, vouchers, journal entry requests, and informational documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures. Requires the ability to prepare financial statements, balance sheets, schedules and graphs, tax reports, bank reconciliations, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control, and confidence.

INTELLIGENCE: Requires the ability to learn and understand complex principles and techniques; to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation; and to make independent judgement in the absence of management.  

VERBAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of administrative, technical or professional languages including accounting terminology.  

NUMERICAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract totals; multiply and divide; utilize and determine percentages, and perform calculations involving variables, polynomials, etc. 

FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with office equipment (e.g., rulers, yardsticks, etc.).  

MOTOR COORDINATION: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using computers and other office equipment.  Requires the ability to use the keyboard, lift, bend, push, and pull objects or materials using body parts as the position necessitates.  

MANUAL DEXTERITY: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as computers, fax machines, typewriters, and other office equipment. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.  

COLOR DISCRIMINATION: May require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color. 

INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under moderate stress when confronted with an emergency.

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words). (Hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone.

Salary : $72,377