DIRECTOR OF PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

City of Forest Park•Forest Park, GA

About The Position

The purpose of this classification is to implement policies, procedures, and zoning ordinances. Provides the highest level of professional leadership, management, and strategic direction to the department.

Requirements

Requires a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or Public Administration or Planning a related field; and eight (8) years of related experience planning and managing finance, budget, and personnel programs, resources, and operations, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Possession of International Code Council (ICC) Building Official Certification highly preferred or obtain within twelve (12) months required.
Valid Georgia Driver's License.
Ability to synthesize, hypothesize, and/or theorize concerning data involving modification of existing policies, strategies, and/or methods to meet unique or unusual conditions within the context of existing organizational theories and management principles.
Ability to function in a director capacity for a major organizational unit requiring significant internal and external interaction.
Ability to operate, maneuver, and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
Ability to utilize consulting and advisory data and information, as well as reference, descriptive, and/or design data and information as applicable.
Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and department; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform mathematical operations involving basic algebraic principles and formulas, and basic geometric principles and calculations.
Ability to apply principles of logical or synthesis functions; ability to deal with several concrete and abstract variables; ability to analyze major problems that require complex planning for interrelated activities that can span one or several work units.
Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in critical and/or unexpected situations involving moderate risk to the organization.

Responsibilities

Establishes strategic plans, goals, and objectives as it relates to building codes, housing codes, zoning, property maintenance codes, and land development; ensures the department’s strategic plans support the broad City mission, goals, and objectives; provides direction and oversight to subordinate managers regarding individual division work plans; ensures the divisions work together to maximize department performance and the use of resources; serves as a member of the Executive Management team, providing input to the City Manager and Council regarding scale strategic decisions.
Oversees plan review for commercial/residential construction and inspection process to ensure code compliance; interprets City ordinances ordinance and recommends updates as needed.
Coordinates daily work activities; organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; conducts staff meetings; confers with assigned staff, assists with complex/problem situations, and provides technical expertise.
Develops benchmarks and performance measures for the department; monitors and evaluates the programs, services, and operations provided by the department; identifies performance shortcomings and accomplishments; identifies and directs the implementation of changes in work plans, priorities, resource allocation, policies, and procedures as needed to improve department work products and performance; ensures all department programs, operations, and services comply with applicable City, state, and federal regulations, statutes, ordinances, and policies, and that the department is meeting the needs of the City and community.
Supervises assigned staff; performs a variety of administrative duties associated with supervising staff, to include hiring, assigning work, providing guidance and direction, evaluating performance, and taking disciplinary action, as necessary.
Directs the allocation of department financial resources; develops annual operating and capital expenditure budgets for the department; oversees and provides guidance to subordinate managers regarding the development of individual division budgets and their incorporation into the department-wide budget; directs the allocation and expenditures of the approved department budget; reviews and submits budget amendments as necessary; compiles annual reports.
Coordinates the department activities with other departments, external agencies, consultants and contractors, and the public; establishes and maintains work relationships which are collaborative, responsive, and effective.
Consults with City Manager, elected officials, and other officials to review department operations/activities, review/resolve problems, receive advice/direction, and provide recommendations; approves all executive summaries, budget amendments, and other documents being submitted and/or presented to the City Council; provides activity and status reports, updates, study findings, and recommendations to the Council regarding department operations, programs, and services; provides guidance and advice regarding the functions of the department, programs, and related issues; drafts new legislation and/or City ordinances as appropriate.
Prepares necessary staff reports for presentation to affiliate boards, i.e., Planning Commission, Board of Appeals, Construction Board of Appeals and Architectural Design Review Board.
Represents the City to state and federal officials, local businesses, community organizations, citizen groups, the media, and the general public; provides information regarding departmental project, operations, and services; obtains information regarding the department’s performance, community interests in City administrative functions, etc.; responds to inquiries, concerns, and/or complaints that cannot be resolved by subordinate managers.
Ensures that staff within the department assist business owners, developers, property owners, residents, and real estate professional to understand the process and requirements for planning and zoning which precede the building permit process.
Ensures adherence to established safety procedures; monitors work environment and use of safety equipment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.
Operates a personal computer, telephones, copiers, and other general office equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, or other system software.
Develops and edits correspondence and reports pertaining to department plans and operations.
Performs the duties of subordinate personnel as appropriate and necessary.
Performs other related duties as required.