Director of Planning and Zoning

Homestead, City of•City of Homestead, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position provides leadership to the Planning & Zoning Department. This is highly responsible administrative work directing the planning, zoning operations. Work includes the preparation and refinement of the Comprehensive Plan, Future Land Use Map, Land Development Code, Zoning Maps, evaluation and preparation of Planning and Zoning reports on rezoning, variances, special use entitlements, plats, site plans, etc. In addition to the preparation of related required special studies. The Director provides strategic leadership in shaping the City's physical growth and development while balancing economic development, neighborhood compatibility, infrastructure capacity, environmental considerations, community character, and the City's long-term vision. The position advises the City Manager, City Council, advisory boards, developers, residents, and other stakeholders on complex planning, zoning, and development matters. The Director is responsible for establishing a high-performing, customer-focused department that provides predictable, timely, and technically sound development services while ensuring compliance with applicable local, county, state, and federal requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in urban and regional Planning, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
Ten years of progressively responsible experience in building, professional planning, growth management, land development codes, and building codes, with a minimum of five (5) years in a supervisory/management capacity, to include fiscal management experience, preferably for a municipal or institutional organization.
Seven (7) years of progressive experience in Planning and Building & Construction.
Knowledge of Florida and Miami-Dade County comprehensive land use planning and development regulations.
Ability to plan, direct, and coordinate a wide range of planning, inspection, enforcement, and licensing activities.
Ability to create a positive image for the public relative to growth management and development programs.
Thorough knowledge of Chapter 163, F.S., comprehensive master land use planning, land development code, economic development, community development block grant program, census analysis, zoning, geographic information systems (GIS), historic preservation, transportation and traffic analysis, open space planning, and environmental review.
Must have a strong technical, administrative and business background.
Ability to solve problems and deal with multiple tasks.
Ability to create a positive image for the public relative to growth management and development programs.
Must be able to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Ability to interpret and work from planning documents, regulations, sketches, plans, specifications, and blueprints.
Extensive knowledge of planning matters, growth management, and construction methods and techniques and terms such as (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and housing/building rehabilitation mandatory, etc.).
Must possess a valid Florida driver’s license with a clean driving record.
Must pass a background screening process.
The employee must successfully pass a background screening process and comply with the City’s Drug-Free Workplace policy.
The City will also verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired so the proper completion of Form I-9 is required, which includes the employee providing documents evidencing identity and employment authorization.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree in a related field and A.I.C.P. preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides executive leadership and overall management of the Planning & Zoning Department, including personnel, programs, operations, budget, performance, and service delivery.
Establishes departmental goals, objectives, policies, procedures, performance measures, and work programs consistent with the City's strategic priorities.
Develops and implements short- and long-range strategies addressing growth, development, redevelopment, land use, community character, and economic vitality.
Evaluates organizational processes and implements technology, workflow improvements, and innovative practices to improve efficiency and customer experience.
Plans, evaluates, and directs departmental policies, programs, and operations.
Directs the preparation and implementation of division budgets and makes procedural and operational recommendations to City management through work plans.
Provide assistance and information to the public regarding requirements for development.
Plans and directs the activities involved in long-range, comprehensive City planning and the review of proposed development.
Plans and directs the activities involved in administering existing City codes through building permits and inspections, code enforcement, and business tax receipts and related inspections.
Evaluates division activities through a review of work plans, conferences, and inspections.
Prepares and submits reports.
Submits land use planning data for review and certification.
Serves as the City's principal administrative authority on planning and zoning matters as assigned by the City Code.
Directs the interpretation and administration of the City's Land Development Code, zoning regulations, development standards, and related ordinances.
Confers with individuals, citizen groups, business organizations, consultants, governmental agencies and other City departments and exchanges planning information on problems, changes or projections.
Serves as advisor to and representative of the City on growth management and development activities.
Oversees the review and processing of rezoning applications, variances, conditional uses, special exceptions, site plans, subdivisions, plats, comprehensive plan amendments, development agreements, and other land-use applications.
Ensures development applications are reviewed accurately, consistently, fairly, and within established timelines.
Builds productive relationships with residents, neighborhood organizations, businesses, developers, governmental agencies, and community partners.
Leads public engagement initiatives associated with comprehensive planning, major development proposals, code amendments, neighborhood planning, and other significant planning initiatives.
Attends state, county, regional, and local planning agency meetings as required.
Supervises the preparation of the departmental budget.
Interprets federal, state, and local regulatory policies and laws and develops specific operating procedures which comply with all requirements.
Attends City Council meetings to present activity reports and plans for future activities.
Meets and responds to public and interdepartmental Planning and Zoning issues.
Cooperates with representatives of other organizations in solving interrelated administrative, organizational, and technical problems.
Reviews plans to ensure compliance with the Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development Code.
Delegates functional activities to subordinates and establishes supervisory schedules and responsibilities to ensure quality and timeliness of independent decisions required to provide continuous service to the public and safety of workforce and facilities.
Prepares studies and programs related to the present and future land use and zoning regulations.
Coordinates consultant(s) activities and product documents, economic development efforts, and intergovernmental planning activities.
Prepares specifications for projects, equipment, and facilities as needed.
Establishes and manages the department’s goals and objectives and ensures proper utilization of appropriate funds.
Maintains current knowledge of trends and developments in the field and facilitates the application of such to department policy and procedure as appropriate.
May prepare grant proposals, reports, recommendations, etc. to ensure that the department meets its goals and objectives.
Evaluates bids for conformity with contract requirements and specifications and makes recommendations.
Performs related work as required.
Prepares written reports and trends on operations as required.