2026-A Assistant Planning & Development Director (10/2026)

City-of-Prattville; Prattville (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Prattville is seeking a Planning and Development professional to assist in directing department operations, supervise staff, and ensure adherence to city codes and zoning regulations.

The role includes plan review, field inspections, and coordination of permit applications, with staff support to boards and commissions to facilitate orderly growth and development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and three to five years of planning experience.
• Valid Alabama driver’s license or ability to obtain.
• Membership in the American Institute of Certified Planners or ability to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Assist in directing department operations and supervising staff.
• Perform plan reviews, field inspections, and coordinate permit applications.
• Advise boards and commissions and attend meetings.
• Attend seminars to stay current in planning.

Skills

Problem solving

Prioritizing

Interpersonal relations

Oral and written communication

Report writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in planning or related field

Tools

GIS

Planning software

Job description

This position assists in directing the operations of the Planning and Development Department, including supervising and administering current planning functions.

• Assists the Director in managing department operations and personnel. (20%)
  • Assists the Director in the development and implementation of department policies and procedures.
  • Assists in orienting, training, assigning, directing, supervising, and evaluating department personnel.
  • Coordinates work activities; organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work.
  • Assists staff in resolving complex or problem situations.

• Performs plan review and field inspection duties. (60%)
  • Consults with city staff, realtors, developers, design professionals, and the general public on matters related to planning and zoning regulations.
  • Interprets and applies city ordinances.
  • Performs plan, plat, and permit application reviews; ensures that the review process is well coordinated.
  • Performs field inspections.
  • Prepares a variety of related reports and correspondence.
  • Enforces the zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations.
• Provides support to related boards and commissions. (10%)
  • Provides staff support to the Board of Zoning Adjustment and Planning Commission; provides support to the Historic Preservation Commission and City Council as needed.
  • Attends board, commission, and council meetings to provide information.
  • Serves on assigned committees.
• Performs a variety of related duties. (10%)
  • Attends seminars and classes to remain current or to acquire new information on planning and related issues.

• Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of a baccalaureate degree in a course of study related to the occupational field.

• Experience sufficient to thoroughly understand the diverse objectives and functions of the subunits in the division/department in order to direct and coordinate work within the division/department, usually interpreted to require three to five years of related experience.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of Alabama for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
• Possession or ability to readily obtain membership in the American Institute of Certified Planners.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

• Knowledge of department and city policies and procedures and relevant federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Knowledge of city codes, zoning regulations, and subdivision ordinances.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of community planning.
• Knowledge of construction permitting processes.
• Knowledge of computers and job-related software programs.
• Knowledge of planning and land use analysis principles.
• Skill in preparing clear and precise reports.
• Skill in interdepartmental coordination.
• Skill in researching and interpreting policies.
• Skill in reading and preparing maps, charts, and surveys.
• Skill in problem solving.
• Skill in prioritizing and planning.
• Skill in interpersonal relations.
• Skill in oral and written communication.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The Planning and Development Director assigns work in terms of department goals and objectives. The supervisor reviews work through conferences, reports, and observation of department activities.

GUIDELINES

Guidelines include the city code, zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, the comprehensive plan, floodplain regulations, and city and department policies and procedures. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.

COMPLEXITY/SCOPE OF WORK

• The work consists of varied management, supervisory, and professional planning duties. Strict regulations combined with the unique nature of each case in question contributes to the complexity of the position.
• The purpose of this position is to assists in directing department operations. Success in this position contributes to the positive growth and development of the city.

CONTACTS

• Contacts are typically with coworkers, other city employees, contractors, developers, business owners, elected and appointed officials, and members of the general public.
• Contacts are typically to exchange information, resolve problems, motivate persons, justify and settle matters, and provide services.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing, stooping, bending, crouching, or walking. The employee occasionally lifts light and heavy objects.
• The work is typically performed in an office and outdoors, occasionally in cold or inclement weather.

SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

This position has direct supervision over Chief Building Official, GIS Coordinator, Senior Planner, Planner, Office Manager, Planning and Zoning Technician, and Administrative Assistant.

EEOC COMMITMENT:

The City of Prattville is committed to maintaining equal employment opportunity by considering job applicants and employees for hiring and advancement on the basis of job-pertinent individual differences and not on the basis of extraneous factors such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, genetics, status as current or former uniformed service member, or any other classifications protected by law.