Community Development Director

Lancaster County Government; Lancaster (SC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lancaster County Government seeks a Community Development Director to advise the County Administrator and coordinate strategic initiatives in community development, capital planning, housing, infrastructure, and growth management. This role collaborates with departments, regional agencies, consultants, and stakeholders to advance Council priorities.

The Director leads long-range planning, UDO implementation, and housing initiatives, guiding staff through complex projects, policy analysis,

Qualifications

• Knowledge of local government, community development, planning, capital programming and housing policy.
• Ability to analyze demographic, financial, land-use, and infrastructure information and develop practical recommendations.
• Ability to manage multiple projects across departments and meet deadlines.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, facilitation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to interpret laws, ordinances, plans, maps, budgets, and technical reports.

Responsibilities

• Advise County Administrator and coordinate strategic initiatives in community development, CIP, housing, and infrastructure.
• Develop and implement community development strategies aligned with Council priorities.
• Coordinate long-range CIP updates and facility/infrastructure needs with departments.
• Support development of housing initiatives and regional planning efforts.
• Assist in staff training, administrative procedures, and process improvements.
• Research policies and prepare reports, recommendations, and presentations for officials and the public.

Skills

Public administration knowledge

Analytical skills

Project management

Communication skills

Policy interpretation

Intergovernmental coordination

Multitasking

Presentation skills

Interpersonal skills

Technical reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in public administration or related field

Master’s degree preferred

AICP certification preferred

Job description

Under limited supervision, the Community Development Director advises the County Administrator and coordinates strategic initiatives related to community development, capital planning, growth management, housing, and infrastructure. The Director works with County departments, Planning and Development Services, regional agencies, consultants, community organizations, and other stakeholders to advance County Council priorities and adopted plans. Key assignments may include the long-range Capital Improvement Program (CIP), development impact fee studies, housing initiatives, comprehensive planning, infrastructure needs assessments, and implementation of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The position requires sound judgment, strong analytical and project-management skills, and knowledge of local government, community development, infrastructure planning, and public policy. Reports to the County Administrator.

Community Development and Strategic Planning

• Help develop and implement community development strategies consistent with County Council priorities and adopted plans.
• Identify community needs, growth-related challenges, infrastructure deficiencies, and opportunities for investment.
• Research trends and prepare recommendations related to population, land use, housing, infrastructure, neighborhood revitalization, and redevelopment.

Capital and Infrastructure Planning

• Coordinate development and periodic updates of the County’s long-range CIP.
• Work with departments to identify and prioritize facility and infrastructure needs, project schedules, preliminary costs, and potential funding sources.
• Maintain project inventories, schedules, and progress reports; provide updates and recommendations to the County Administrator.
• Coordinate with public safety departments on long-range facility planning, including potential locations for fire, EMS, and law enforcement facilities.

Impact Fees and Growth Management

• Coordinate assigned development impact fee studies and related capital planning.
• Gather and analyze information on population, development, service demand, infrastructure capacity, and project costs.
• Work with departments, consultants, the Planning Commission, and County Administration to review recommendations and support implementation consistent with state law and County direction.

Housing and Regional Initiatives

• Support countywide and regional housing studies, workforce housing initiatives, and related community development strategies.
• Work with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, housing partners, developers, and regional organizations to identify needs, partnerships, and funding opportunities.

Planning and Development Services Support

• Assist Planning and Development Services with special projects, including UDO implementation, staff training, administrative procedures, and process improvements.
• Coordinate with planning and zoning staff to support consistent implementation of adopted policies.
• Support comprehensive planning, land use, development services, and growth-management assignments.

Research, Projects, and Public Engagement

• Research policies, regulations, demographic and development trends, housing needs, infrastructure investments, and relevant legislation.
• Prepare reports, recommendations, presentations, and other materials for County officials, boards, committees, and the public.
• Coordinate consultants and special projects, monitoring schedules, deliverables, and budgets.
• Represent the County at assigned meetings and support public and stakeholder engagement.
• Establish work plans and performance measures; maintain project records; provide guidance to staff or project teams as authorized.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Perform other related duties as assigned by the County Administrator.

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, urban or regional planning, community development, business administration, public policy, or a related field, and 10-15 years of progressively responsible experience in local government, community development, planning, capital programming, housing policy, or a related area. Experience in project management, policy research, intergovernmental coordination, technical reporting, and implementation of complex initiatives is required. A master’s degree or other advanced technical certifications such as the American Institute of Certified Planning (AICP) is preferred. Experience with capital improvement programs, impact fees, comprehensive plans, development ordinances, housing studies, or regional planning is highly desirable. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered. A valid driver’s license is required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of local government, community development, comprehensive planning, capital programming, housing, growth management, and applicable South Carolina laws.
• Ability to analyze technical, demographic, financial, land-use, and infrastructure information and develop practical recommendations.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, coordinate across departments, and meet deadlines.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, facilitation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to interpret laws, ordinances, plans, maps, budgets, and technical reports.
• Ability to work professionally with elected officials, County staff, consultants, partner organizations, and the public.
• Ability to operate standard office technology and perform assigned work

Lancaster County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.