COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING DIRECTOR

City of Norcross, GA; Norcross (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Norcross, GA is seeking a seasoned planning professional to manage its Community Development planning activities, guiding short-range and long-range land use plans, reviewing zoning requests, site plans, and architectural reviews.

You will lead a comprehensive city planning process, administer zoning ordinances, coordinate with Economic Development, Code Enforcement, and City Engineer, and serve as secretary to multiple boards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning or related field.
• Master’s degree in Urban Planning or Public Administration preferred.
• AICP credentials or track candidates preferred.
• 5–10 years of planning, zoning, and development review experience with supervisory duties.

Responsibilities

• Manage operations of Community Development planning activities for short- and long-range plans.
• Review zoning requests, site plans, and architectural review; prepare conclusions and recommendations.
• Administer the city zoning ordinance; draft ordinances and oversee enforcement and rezonings.
• Coordinate with Economic Development, Code Enforcement, and City Engineer on projects.
• Serve as secretary and staff to multiple boards; prepare agendas and present to boards.
• Plan and conduct public meetings/hearings; issue notices and coordinate logistics as required.
• Provide technical reports and presentations to City Council, boards, and public.
• Maintain city land use maps and assist with development permit processes.

Skills

urban planning

zoning administration

public involvement

data analysis

communication

budgeting

staff supervision

presentation skills

team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in urban planning

Master's degree preferred

AICP credentials or track candidates

Job description

The purpose of this position is to manage the operations of the City's Community Development planning activities by providing planning for short range (current zoning) and long range (future land use) plans, which includes reviewing and analyzing zoning requests, site plans, and architectural review.

• Creates a comprehensive city planning process develops land use goals and objectives, ensures public involvement in the process, and documents the information accordingly.
• Administers the city zoning ordinance: drafts new ordinances, supervises the enforcement of existing ordinances, and administers rezoning and appeals.
• Works with the Economic Development leader to implement effective ED strategies.
• Partners with the Code Enforcement Supervisor and Officers to enforce City ordinances.
• Partners with the City Engineer to ensure the success of City Capital Projects.
• Serves as or assigns a designee to serve as the official secretary and staff to the Architectural Review Board, Historic Preservation Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning and Zoning Board; presents appeals to the boards and processes requests for zoning variances. Schedules and prepares agendas for Planning and Zoning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Historic Preservation Commission and Architectural Review Board meetings.
• Plans for and holds public meeting or hearings, including public notices, press releases, and notices to affected property owners when required in compliance with adopted procedures. Arranges site visits and meeting logistics as required.
• Reviews and edits brief descriptions or summary of proposals, issues, or requests; including facts, applicable requirements and analysis of proposal related to criteria, standards, regulations, policies, and procedures. Prepares or assigns a designee to prepare conclusions and recommendations for Planning and Zoning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Architectural Review Board and Historic Preservation Commission.
• Orients new commission member to the Norcross’ structure, vision, operations, and specific issues. Informs board members of technical processes such as code revisions, regional issues, award programs, growth management, etc.
• Compiles and analyzes data on economic, social, and physical factors affecting land use to recommend land utilization measures that are consistent with community needs.
• Oversees the city land development regulations: issues land development permits, provides information to the public on development issues, and processes appeals.
• Supervises and participates in the reviews for development and related land use permit applications, site plans, variance applications, certificates of appropriateness etc. Examines applications for compliance with established plans and ordinances, and applicable local, state, or federal regulations; solicits input from appropriate staff, schedules hearing and actions, monitors applications through the approval process, enforces compliance with regulations, prepares reports and related data as required and addresses complaints.
• Provides technical and professional advice; drafts reports and makes presentations to the City Council, boards, commissions, civic groups, and the general public.
• Administers the city building codes, including directing the issuance of permits and supervising the provision of building inspection services.
• Supervises the work of departmental personnel, prepares the departmental budget, and monitors expenditures under the current budget.
• Performs annual personnel performance evaluations and managers work performance improvement plans with staff if needed.
• Maintains official city limits, zoning, land use, and thoroughfare maps.
• Supervises the development and implementation of ordinances and special studies, and monitors conformance of development projects to local, state, and federal regulations.
• Submits public notices for legal advertising.
• Supervises the preparation of agendas for Architectural Review Board, Historic Preservation Commission, Sustainable Norcross Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning and Zoning Board; records and preserves official meeting minutes.

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Preference may be given to those candidates with a Master’s degree in Urban Planning or Public Administration. Preference may be given to those candidates who possess AICP credentials or are AICP track candidates
• Five to ten years of experience in planning, zoning, and development review with supervisory experience. Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with land development and/or building construction, operating in a role involving permitting, zoning, and interaction with regulatory agencies.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

Any other duties as assigned by management.

Scope and Impact:

The purpose of this position is to manage the development of the city. Successful performance helps ensure the orderly development of the city, affects the quality of economic opportunity for city residents, and affects the image of the city.

Communications/Customer Contact:

Contacts are typically with the general public, property owners, real estate developers, attorneys, architects, engineers, bankers, landscape architects, elected officials, and city, county, state, and federal officials. Contacts are typically to provide or exchange information, resolve problems, provide services, motivate personnel, and negotiate matters.

Competencies:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Knowledge of theories, practices and procedures of community planning, economic development, zoning, land development, construction, and building.
• Knowledge of City, County, ARC, state and federal codes, ordinances and regulation pertaining to land development and planning.
• Knowledge of zoning principles, laws, and regulations as well as city codes, policies, and procedures
• Knowledge of building construction standards, methods, and related codes.
• Knowledge of real estate law.
• Knowledge of federal regulations affecting land development.
• Knowledge of management and budgeting principles and practices.
• Ability to review, understand and interpret design drawings, site plans, construction specifications, engineering plans, maps, and plat.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees, officials, developers, builders, contractors, lawyers, architects, and the general public.

EOE/DFW; No phone calls please