Assistant Planning Director

NassauCountyFLChamber; Yulee (FL); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners seeks an accomplished Communications Manager to lead the County’s public-facing and internal communications strategy. This senior role shapes messaging, elevates transparency, and advances the Board’s strategic priorities across government channels, media, and community outreach.

The ideal candidate is a visionary communicator with a proven track record in strategic public relations, executive communication, and media relations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Policy, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Architecture or related field; plus eight years of relevant professional planning experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead communications strategy for Nassau County Planning and BOCC initiatives.
• Advise County leadership on policy messaging and external communications.
• Coordinate public outreach, community engagement and media relations.
• Serve as spokesperson to public and media; ensure messaging consistency.

Skills

Public relations

Strategic communication

Public speaking

Spokesperson

Media relations

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Policy, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Architecture or related field

Job description

Nassau County Board of County Commissioners

Yulee, FL 32097

Nassau County is seeking an accomplished Communications Manager to lead and elevate the County’s public-facing and internal communications strategy. This highly visible leadership role is responsible for shaping and executing a comprehensive communications agenda that enhances transparency, builds public trust, and advances the County’s strategic priorities under the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). The ideal candidate is a visionary communicator with a proven track record in strategic public relations, executive communication, and media relations. They will serve as a key advisor to County leadership, a trusted spokesperson to the public and media, and a collaborative force internally, bringing clarity, consistency, and creativity to all messaging.

Nassau County is 726 square miles of natural beauty located in the northeast corner of Florida along the Atlantic Ocean and Interstate 95. With 13 miles of pristine beaches, hundreds of miles of rivers, historic downtown Fernandina Beach, and an expanding economy. The combination of rich history, rural charm, natural resources, quality-of-life, and proximity to strategic installations provides Nassau County with unparalleled potential. Part of the Jacksonville Metropolitan Area, Nassau County has a population of 101,501 and a regional population of 1.6 million, the Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR) estimates that Nassau County grew by 4.92% last year ranking as the 4th fastest-growing county, by percent growth, in Florida [2nd among counties with a population of at least 80,000]. BEBR predicts Nassau County will be the sixth fastest-growing county in the State of Florida over the next 10 years with a projected population expansion of 33% resulting in over 121,600 people calling Nassau County home.

Advanced and highly skilled professional planner responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Planning Department. Supervises staff planners and clerical personnel who support the Planning and Zoning Board, Conditional Use and Variance Board, Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, Amelia Island Tree Commission, and the Board of County Commissioners.

The Assistant Planning Director is responsible for a wide range of policy initiatives including researching, analyzing and drafting policy with broad implications to the County's Code of Ordinances and Comprehensive Plan; responding to policy initiatives by local municipalities, regional/metropolitan bodies and State agencies/districts; researching and analyzing legislative initiatives at both the local and State level; assisting in project management, formulation and implementation of both current and long-range plans and other policy matters as directed by the Planning Director; and serving to bridge the gap between planning theory, policy creation and implementation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Supervises and conducts advanced, highly complex professional planning activities.
• Acts in an executive capacity in the absence of the Director.
• Conducts planning studies to address relevant issues and standards and recommends updates/revisions of regulations and the requirements of the Comprehensive Plan.
• Recommends new and revised policies, codes, ordinances, and regulations. Prepares draft ordinances and amendments to ordinances.
• Researches information pertaining to best practices in land development issues.
• Reviews, analyzes and brings forward innovative amendments to the Land Development Code, Subdivision Regulations, Roadway and Drainage Standards and other regulations impacting the development of land in Nassau County to match national best practices.
• Provides the Principal and Senior Planners with expert policy advice for inclusion in the Comprehensive Plan consistent with national best practices. Brings forward policy amendments to the Comprehensive Plan for consideration by the Planning and Zoning Board and Board of County Commissioners.
• Provides the NFIP-CRS Coordinator with expert policy advice. Drafts policies to implement and strengthen floodplain management and resiliency within Nassau County.
• Provides policy guidance to County Boards and other County and Municipal staff in the preparation of legislation, regulations, and other documents.
• Coordinates public outreach initiatives and community engagement. Proactively nurtures public participation and community based consensus building.
• Facilitates sub-committees, working groups, design charrettes and visioning exercises.
• Networks with local, regional, State and national partners to further the goals and objectives of Nassau County and updates local policy to match best practices in a wide variety of subject areas.
• Works in tandem with site plan review staff to facilitate the Development Review Committee including project review, meeting with designers and property owners, and performing requisite administrative tasks.
• Assists the Principal and Senior Planners in the processing and management of development related applications submitted in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code of Nassau County, including the review and analysis of land development proposals, site plans, plats, engineering plans, comprehensive plan amendments, rezonings and the research and preparation of reports and memoranda for consideration by applicable boards and committees.
• Performs research, analysis and undertakes special studies, projects and initiatives as directed by the Planning Director.
• Coordinates planning efforts with consulting firms as requested. Manages consultants and ensures quality production of commissioned studies and reports.
• Prepares and administers various grants related to Planning Department activities.
• Reviews internal processes and policies and makes recommendations for improving work efficiency, quality of work and implementation of progressive planning principles and utilization of best practices.
• Reviews the work of subordinates for completeness and accuracy; evaluates and makes recommendations for appropriate; and offers advice and assistance as needed. Coordinates activities of subordinate employees as directed.
• Performs a variety of routine office/administrative duties as required, including preparing reports and correspondence, copying and filing documents, answering the telephone, meeting customers at the front counter, attending meetings, etc.
• Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as the immediate supervisor, co-workers, County personnel, engineers, contractors, consultants, architects, Board members, members of community/civic organizations and the general public.
• Operates a vehicle and a variety of equipment, which may include a computer, telephone, calculator, copier, etc.
• Attends and remains at work regularly and adheres to policies and procedures regarding absenteeism and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and leave requests.
• Attends night and weekend meetings, community events and committee meetings as directed.
• Performs related duties as required.

(These essential functions are not a complete statement of all duties required of the job. Employees will be required to perform such other related job duties as may be assigned or required.)

Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Public Policy, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Architecture or related field supplemented by eight (8) years of relevant professional planning experience in a municipal or public sector environment including experience and responsibilities for policy development, policy research and analysis, interpreting, analyzing, recommending policy directions and advising of implications to executive staff and appointed/elected officials. Must have supervisory experience. Must possess a valid State Driver's License.

The range for this position is $87,464.96 – $133,088.46. The County provides a comprehensive benefits program and participates in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) and has a 3% employee contribution requirement. Voluntary supplemental 457 deferred compensation retirement is also available. For additional benefit information, visit: https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/243/Employee-Benefits .

Nassau County is a Drug Free Workplace & Equal Opportunity Employer; Nassau County values the service veterans and their family members have given to our country and that the County supports the hiring of returning service members, military spouses, and their family members as such this position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference in accordance with applicable laws.