Assistant Director of Planning Services

GRADE 2127
Pay Range $87,589 - $127,816

General Description

The purpose of this position is to provide direction and administration of County zoning ordinance, State mandated comprehensive land planning regulations, land development regulations, Community Development Block Grant program, GIS, building inspections, and code enforcement. This position works under administrative supervision, developing and implementing programs within organizational policies and reports major activities to executive level administrators through conferences and reports.

Duties & Responsibilities

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions as necessary.

  • Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.
  • Coordinates, assigns and reviews work and establishes work schedules; maintains standards; monitors status of work in progress; inspects completed work assignments; answers questions; gives advice and direction as needed.
  • Plans, directs and coordinates the administration of the County land planning activities, the Community Development Block Grant Program, housing programs, Geographic Information Systems, mapping, property addressing for emergency response, and related planning information networks, building inspections, and codes enforcement.
  • Assists the staff and general public in understanding complex planning principles and practices.
  • Serves as a staff member at Levy Court, Regional Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment Meetings and other boards/committees.
  • Supervises zoning and subdivision regulation review and interpretation.
  • Assists in revising the county's zoning and land development ordinances.
  • Reviews site plans and subdivision plans for compliance with all ordinances and regulations and good planning principles.
  • Supervises the preparation and maintenance of the Kent County Comprehensive Plan.
  • Research requests for all planning application types.
  • Meet with developers to review site plans and correct discrepancies.
  • Performs related work as required.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in land-use planning, urban planning, public administration or a closely related field (MPA or MBA desirable) with seven to ten years of related experience, three of which must be in a supervisory capacity including some GIS or CAD work, preferably in a local government; or any combination of experience, and training which provides the required knowledge and skills.

Additional Requirements

Comprehensive knowledge of community development and planning administration; some knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) programs, and various related computer programs; good knowledge of building code program and code enforcement provisions; comprehensive knowledge of management, finance and operational management; ability to communicate orally and in writing to a wide variety of individuals and groups, demonstrated ability to supervise and to obtain the cooperation of others in difficult situations; mature judgment; operational knowledge of personal computers and pertinent applications; regular and timely attendance; performance of duties in a safe manner. Must pass testing for substance abuse and criminal background investigation. Must maintain a positive work environment by acting and communicating in a manner that promotes harmonious relations with customers, co-workers, and supervisors. Direct deposit of pay required.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • This is sedentary work requiring the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.
  • Work requires fingering, and repetitive motions.
  • Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word, and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
  • Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.
  • Mental acuity is required to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
  • Physical attendance at work sites is required to perform manual tasks, provide immediate service to onsite customers, and supervise or interact with work groups.
  • Visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities.
  • The worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Essential Functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

Special Certifications and License Requirements

  • Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history.
  • Must possess/obtain and retain American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) within 18 months of selection.

Notices

Kent County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S. C. 12101 et. seq.), Kent County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This is an employment at-will position.

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