Planning Manager

City of Olympia•Cocoa, FL

About The Position

Responsible for supervising, organizing and administering one or more functional areas of the planning process for the City of Olympia (City). Work involves providing significant professional and technical expertise in a variety of planning and development functional areas or programs. Initiates and coordinates process improvements as necessary across multiple disciplines. Series Concept: 1. The Planning Manager is the supervisory level of the planning series which includes Planning Manager, Senior Planner, Associate Planner, and Assistant Planner. 2. Positions allocated to the Planning Manager are distinguished by the level of supervisory and managerial level responsibilities assigned, broad process/program area responsibility; project complexity; and acting as project lead when appropriate. Ideal Candidate Profile Ability to lead the current planning team and plan reviewers in review of large and complex development proposals, ensuring compliance with municipal code design and development standards. Ability to lead the long-range planning team in the management of long-range planning projects and programs, preparing a variety of code and comprehensive plan amendments, and presenting proposals to advisory groups and elected officials. Experience conducting meaningful and extensive public outreach processes. Effectively manage team workloads in a demanding and fast-paced work environment. Demonstrate skills in dispute resolution and technical fields such as environmental impact assessment and architectural design. Planning manager acts as an ombudsman to affordable housing and middle housing projects. This person works collaboratively and creatively with other Community Planning and Development staff, housing staff, public works staff, and the developer to proactively guide affordable housing and middle housing projects through the permitting process in a timely manner.

Requirements

Thorough knowledge of planning principles, practices and techniques related to functional areas including land use, transportation, environmental impacts and urban growth management.
Thorough knowledge of a specific planning area and its relationship to the comprehensive planning process.
Thorough knowledge of the comprehensive planning process and associated methodologies and techniques.
Knowledge of the principles, practices, methodologies and techniques utilized to effectively manage and motivate a diverse workforce.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products (Word, Outlook and Excel) and applicable department and organization specific software and ability to learn and become proficient in the use of other specialized software as may be required.
Skill in preparing and administering plans based on survey and analysis of data, citizen participation and agency consultation.
Ability to direct, lead, motivate, influence and guide all levels of employees toward accomplishment of department mission and goals as a service-oriented team.
Ability to formulate, initiate and administer policies and procedures for effective fiscal control.
Ability to correctly interpret and efficiently implement all applicable policies and procedures.
Ability to develop, manage, implement and monitor work programs including budgets, work schedules, grant requirements and progress reviews.
Ability to manage multiple priorities to ensure that deadlines are met and to set priorities that move projects through efficiently to achieve customer and quality objectives.
Ability to identify potential issues, modify processes and resolve conflict as the need arises.
Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups regarding complex or controversial public policy issues or regulations.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those interacted with during work regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, military service or diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
High school diploma or GED and ten (10) years of increasingly responsible urban planning experience pertaining to land use, permitting, environmental protection and long-range planning, including at least two (2) years of supervisory experience
OR associate degree in a related field and eight (8) years of experience as listed above
OR bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public administration or a related field and six (6) years of experience as listed above
OR master’s degree in urban planning, public administration or a related field and four (4) years of experience as listed above
OR a combination of experience, certification, education and training that demonstrates expertise in the related areas.
A valid Washington State driver’s license may be required.

Nice To Haves

American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures; meets with management staff to identify and resolve problems.
Assesses and monitors workload; identifies opportunities for improvement and implements changes.
Selects, motivates, and evaluates personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; makes recommendations regarding discipline and termination.
Responsible for coordinating one or more functional areas of the planning process such as: current planning, comprehensive planning, urban growth management and transportation.
Correctly interprets and efficiently implements all applicable policies and procedures.
Advises staff on ambiguous or conflicting code language to ensure consistent, constitutional, legal and appropriate code interpretations.
Advises appointed and elected officials on public policy issues, planning procedures, comprehensive and special plans and regulatory ordinances.
Communicates planning issues and coordinates activities with executives, administrators, other divisions, departments, and City staff as appropriate.
Coordinates data collection and processing across functional areas to facilitate a consistent and comprehensive information system.
Prepares and presents reports to hearing bodies, committees, community groups and private organizations to explain the impact of planning and development on the community.
Reviews projects to ensure compliance against multiple code requirements; coordinates with other reviewers within multiple divisions and jurisdictions.
Negotiates, administers and maintains agreements and contracts with the Office of the Hearing Examiner, public agencies, funding agencies and private organizations.
Pursues and prepares grant proposals by conducting research, gathering internal and external data to support grants requests, writing drafts, and obtaining approvals.
Provides technical and administrative support to various City Departments and committees.
Responds to public inquiries with information on the planning process and public policy.
Participates in inter-governmental committees to analyze, evaluate, and resolve public policy issues.
Manages and coordinates research, analysis and preparation of documents for public policy issues, planning and community development.
May be accountable for current and long-range planning work which encompasses managing the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update under the Growth Management Act.
May serve as the City's State Environmental Policy Act Official which entails reviewing projects for potential adverse environmental impacts and implementing mitigation if necessary; conducting environmental impact assessments; and coordinating with federal, state, tribal and local jurisdictions prior to issuing determinations.
May serve as the City's Shoreline Administrator which entails ensuring all City works and project permits are consistent with the Shoreline Management Act and Shoreline Master Program.
May provide technical subject matter expertise for City staff and external customers regarding shoreline permit processes and submittal requirements.
May schedule and motivate personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; make recommendations regarding disciplinary action.
May be responsible for updating the Capital Facilities Plan on an annual basis.
Punctual, regular and reliable attendance is essential for successful job performance.