Assistant Planning Director

City of Saratoga Springs•Saratoga Springs, UT

3d•$93,396 - $130,755

About The Position

The Assistant Planning Director assists in the administration, management, and coordination of Saratoga Springs’ Planning & Zoning Division. The role provides professional and managerial leadership for current planning, long-range planning, development review, Land Development Code administration, major planning initiatives, and staff operations. It is a key leadership position that provides technical and managerial guidance to planning staff and exercises supervision over Planning Department staff, assigned support employees, and consultants as needed. The Assistant Planning Director carries out responsibilities delegated by the Planning Director and may serve as Acting Planning Director when designated during the Director’s absence. The position does not independently establish City policy or make major discretionary policy decisions outside its authority; significant policy, legal, budgetary, or politically sensitive matters are coordinated with the Planning Director and, when appropriate, other authorized City officials. The role supports planning work in a rapidly growing community with major development projects, master-planned communities, community and village plans, transportation, parks and trails, long-range planning, development agreements, annexations, rezonings, and Land Development Code improvements. It works with City leadership and departments, public bodies, applicants, consultants, developers, property owners, and the public to support consistent, well-supported planning recommendations and implementation of adopted plans and policies. The position’s schedule is Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with alternate Fridays off. The stated annual salary range is $93,396 to $130,755; hiring normally occurs at the minimum and will not exceed the midpoint of $112,075. Pre-employment drug testing, proof of employment eligibility, and a background check are required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Urban Planning, City and Regional Planning, Community Development, Public Administration, or a closely related field, with at least seven years of planning and development experience, particularly in municipal government operations, including at least three years of team leadership and significant project-management experience; alternatively, applicants with a master’s degree must have at least five years of experience, including at least three years as a team leader, and significant project-management experience.
AICP certification, or ability to obtain it within 18 months of hiring.
Valid Utah State driver’s license.
Knowledge of state codes related to land development and public notices.
Knowledge of general municipal government operations, particularly procedures related to the Mayor’s and City Council’s duties and responsibilities.
General PC computer-operation skills, with emphasis on planning and development programs.
Ability to interpret and consistently apply complex development regulations.
Strong understanding of planning processes, procedures, and best practices.
Ability to analyze complex planning issues and develop practical, defensible recommendations.
Strong leadership, supervisory, mentoring, and team-building skills.
Concise and effective communication, correct use of English language and vocabulary, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to interact professionally, pleasantly, and courteously with the public in all situations.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Mayor, City Council, Planning Commission, City department heads, citizen committees, coworkers, and supervisors.
Ability to communicate technical planning concepts effectively to elected and appointed officials, applicants, staff, and the public.
Ability to manage multiple complex projects and competing priorities.
Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and identify and escalate matters requiring higher-level direction.
Commitment to consistency, professionalism, transparency, and high-quality customer service.
Ability to meet the described physical and work-environment demands, with reasonable accommodations available as needed.
Must complete pre-employment drug testing and background check and provide proof of employment eligibility.

Responsibilities

Assist in establishing division priorities, workload assignments, schedules, and performance expectations.
Monitor development review workloads, staffing levels, and operational needs, and recommend adjustments.
Supervise assigned staff and provide direction, coaching, mentoring, and performance feedback.
Identify staff training needs and recommend development opportunities.
Identify opportunities to improve internal processes, workflows, efficiency, and customer service.
Promote consistency, professionalism, and accountability throughout the Planning & Zoning Division.
Provide oversight and technical guidance on complex development applications and ensure consistent application of the Land Development Code.
Review significant development proposals and staff recommendations before presentation to the Planning Commission or City Council, as directed by the Planning Director.
Coordinate with Engineering, Public Works, Building, Legal, GIS, other City departments, and outside agencies on significant development and planning matters.
Participate in meetings with applicants, property owners, consultants, and other stakeholders regarding complex development proposals.
Promote consistent interpretation and application of City development regulations and adopted policies.
Manage or oversee major master-planning and community-planning projects.
Assist with transportation, parks and trails, land use, housing, economic development, and other long-range planning initiatives.
Lead or assist in translating adopted plans and policy initiatives into Land Development Code amendments, development standards, programs, and implementation strategies.
Research planning, land-use, and development issues and recommend policy or regulatory changes.
Prepare or review staff reports, ordinances, policy recommendations, presentations, and other materials concerning planning policy and regulations.
Ensure proposed regulatory changes align with adopted plans, City policies, and applicable state law.
Attend Planning Commission meetings, public hearings, City Council meetings, and other public meetings as assigned.
Help ensure planning recommendations presented to decision-making bodies are accurate, consistent, well-supported, and clearly communicated.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, elected and appointed officials, applicants, consultants, developers, property owners, and the public.
Provide planners with constructive feedback and technical guidance on code application, staff reports, development review, and customer communication.
Help ensure issues are escalated to the Planning Director, City Attorney, City Manager’s Office, or other appropriate authority.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Health insurance options, including one with a $0 employee premium payroll deduction with Wellness program participation.
Dental insurance.
Life insurance.
Long-term disability insurance.
Employee Assistance Program, including family short-term mental health counseling services.
Free Teledoc program for the whole family.
Monetary incentives for Wellness program participation.
Health savings account with an employer match.
Optional vision, accident, hospital, critical illness, and additional life insurance coverage.
Flexible spending accounts.
Utah Public Retirement System pension participation.
City contribution of 6.2% of salary to a 401(k) retirement plan in lieu of City Social Security contributions.
120 hours of paid time off accrued annually.
40 hours of short-term medical leave accrued annually.
11 annual holidays.