Development Services Director

City of Mesquite (NV); Mesquite (NV); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Mesquite (NV) is seeking a Development Services Director to oversee planning, building inspections, business licensing and code enforcement. You will direct operations, set department goals, manage budgets, and liaise with the City Manager, Council and community groups.

AICP certification within a year and five years of progressive municipal planning experience are required. Lead planning programs, develop environmental sustainability strategies, and ensure compliance with the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning or public administration; a Master’s is strongly preferred.
• AICP certification required within one year of appointment; five years municipal planning experience with four in management.
• Proven ability to supervise, budget, and align department goals with city policy.

Responsibilities

• Oversee planning, zoning, subdivision development, historic preservation and growth management.
• Direct department budget development and monitoring; ensure efficient service delivery.
• Provide staff support to City Manager, City Council and advisory committees.
• Lead cross-department collaboration and implement the General Plan and Unified Development Code.
• Represent the City on boards, present to councils, and engage with community groups.

Skills

Leadership

Public speaking

Budgeting

Strategic thinking

Organizational skills

Negotiation

Community engagement

Policy analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in urban planning/public administration

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

GIS software

Microsoft Office

Google tools

Database management

Job description

DEFINITION

The Development Services Director oversees/directs City Planning, and related development services of Building Inspections, Business Licensing, and Code Enforcement. The Director directs all operations of the department and reports to the City Manager. The Director directs planning initiatives and provides staff support to the City Manager, City Council, and the advisory committees for the Master Plan and Architectural Review.

Development Services include all functions, building inspection services, business licensing, and code enforcement activities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(Essential functions are those functions that the individual who holds the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of reasonable accommodation.)

1. Serve as a representative of the City of Mesquite, demonstrating a positive attitude and progressive actions through the display of professionalism, courtesy, and appropriate tact and discretion in all interactions with other employees and with the public.
2. Manage all services and activities, including planning, zoning, subdivision development, historic preservation, growth management, business licensing, business inspections and audits, code enforcement; building code inspections, plans examination and building permits. Recommend, approve and administer policies and procedures.
3. Direct the development and implementation of department goals, objectives, policies and priorities for each assigned service area.
4. Establish, within city policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocate resources accordingly.
5. Supervise all department staff, either directly or indirectly through senior staff.
6. Develop organization-wide or department-wide goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
7. Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the department budget; approve the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; approve expenditures and implement budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
8. Ensure that the City Manager and City Council are kept fully informed on the condition of the department and about any trends, events, or emerging issues of significance to the City’s success.
9. Report events and activities to senior management and elected and appointed officials.
10. Represent the City on local and regional boards. May make presentations and appear before various governing bodies, community organizations, special interest groups, and the public soliciting input, explaining recommendations and/or offering clarification on zoning, development, and building standards.
11. Implement the General Plan and Unified Development Code.
12. Manage planning programs; oversee zoning administration activities; interact with community groups, citizens and businesses involved with zoning related issues; analyze zoning requirements and policies and make recommendations for needed revisions; oversee development projects involving long- range planning for the community and the region; monitor revisions and updates to the Master Plan; participate in city management discussions regarding planning issues.
13. Provide leadership in developing and implementing environmental sustainability strategies and programs for the city; serve as a key advisor to the City Manager and City Council on matters related to sustainability; participate in the coordination and collaboration of sustainability initiatives with other departments, outside agencies, other governmental entities and non-governmental organizations; oversee the development and implementation of work done in all the program areas.
14. Evaluate planning-related legislation and its applicability to department projects.
15. Evaluate proposals to the local government for planning consulting services.
16. Coordinate department activities with those of other departments involved in development services, working toward a process that is as efficient and customer-friendly as possible.
17. Attend periodic evening and weekend meetings.
18. Negotiate public/private partnerships which could involve site assembly, condemnation, creative financing and multi-party participation.
19. Maintain historical files and records regarding Planning, Zoning, Building, Business Licensing, and Code Enforcement functions.
20. Oversee the adoption and amendment of Building Codes in conjunction with the building officials and Southern Nevada Building Officials.
21. Respond to and resolve the most difficult and sensitive citizen, developer, and business inquiries and complaints.
22. Follow all applicable safety rules and regulations.
23. Be dependable and meet acceptable attendance requirements at all times.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Perform other related duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

The degree of knowledge and ability as outlined under this section is that which is necessary to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily

Knowledge of

• Thorough working knowledge of operational characteristics, services, and activities of a municipal Building Department.
• Development practices and standards in high-growth communities.
• Historic Preservation principles and practices as well as current trends.
• The theory, principles, and practices of the planning profession and development process.
• Principles of personnel management, including supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• The methods and techniques of research and analysis.
• Principles of budgeting and finance.
• Real Estate terminology, laws, practices, principles, and regulations.
• Computer applications including Microsoft Office, Google, Database Management, GIS programs and applications.
• Methods of report preparation and presentation.
• Principles and practices of business licensing.
• Principles and practices of code enforcement.

Typical Skills

• Effective and persuasive leadership comfortable with all levels of staff, appointed and elected officials, public stakeholders, and others.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the editing, oversight or preparation of technical reports and the presentation of information to government entities and various committees.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Distinguish political sensitivities and inter-relationships in the local community and adjust operations accordingly.
• Strong interpersonal and public relations skills to work effectively with others.
• Ability to understand and manage high-profile, sensitive, or controversial political situations.
• Ability to exercise sound and independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
• Plan for the orderly growth and development of the City and meet all statutory requirements of Nevada’s Planning and Zoning enabling legislation.
• Interpret and explain City development policies and procedures.

Special Requirements

Experience, Education and Training

Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the individual with the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Education: This position requires a bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public administration or a related field. A Master’s degree in an area related to the essential functions is strongly preferred. Experience: Five years of progressive experience in a municipal planning or building department, including four years at the management level. Training: License or Certificate: Must possess at the time of employment and continuously throughout employment a valid Nevada or "border state" driver's license, as defined by NRS 483. AICP Certification is required within one year of appointment. Preference may be given to applicants possessing qualifications above the minimum.

Competencies

Establishing Trust – Noticing, interpreting and anticipating others concerns and feelings; creating opportunities for collaborative, respectful dialogue; demonstrating trust in others first and holding self and others accountable for words and behaviors that build community; using face-to-face communication as a primary means of building trust within the organization.

Communicating Clarity – Developing and communicating goals in support of the city's mission, vision, and purpose; clarifying direction of work, roles and expectations for successful attainment of objectives.

Providing Recognition – Identifying and recognizing employees at all levels for their ideas, work, and achievements; providing opportunities for both formal and informal recognition within the organization; creating a culture of peer recognition and encouragement.

Reinforcing Organizational Health – Routinely reviewing existing processes, practices, and policies to ensure a balance in the ability to work productively and efficiently with employee needs for empowerment and development; changing processes, practices and policies when necessary to achieve the balance; establishing regular professional development time for each employee so they have opportunities to attend classes and other activities to enhance their professional growth; meeting regularly with employees.

Thinking Globally – Finding effective solutions and prioritizing issues using holistic, “big picture” thinking; placing the needs of the broader organization or community ahead of those of an individual department; and evaluating both short- and long-term impacts when making decisions.

Business and Political Acumen – Having expertise in technical, political, and budgetary leadership responsibilities; preparing and presenting complex concepts and proposals in a respectful, collaborative, understandable way to build community; comparing competing priorities and agendas looking for ways to establish a win/win solution whenever possible; speaking at community events and to the media to enhance the city’s reputation and standing with the broader community.

Community Engagement – Identifying and working with different communities, whether internal, external or both, to achieve city mission, vision and purpose; including groups of stakeholders in decisions that affect them, directly or indirectly, whenever possible to do so; acting on decisions and strategies developed through community engagement.

Strategic Thinking - Effective performers act with the future in mind. They plan and make decisions within the framework of the City's strategic intent. They know and understand the factors influencing strategy (e.g., core competence, customers, and the organization's current strengths and limitations). They consider future impact when weighing decisions. They constantly think in terms of continually improving City services.

Visioning- Effective performers are imaginative. They are able to create a vision of a preferred future for their teams. They communicate it clearly and enthusiastically in such a way that others are attracted to it. They are able to bring the vision to life for team members.

Diplomacy - Effective performers work well within the City's power network. They are perceptive to social cues in the environment. They recognize personal agendas. They are skilled at handling situations without arousing hostility and are able to navigate the political water of the City. They forge coalitions and know how to stay viable within the system.

Business Thinking - Effective performers see the City as a series of integrated and interlocking business processes. They understand general business concepts that govern these systems and their interfaces. They create and/or realign these systems in response to changing needs. They understand that a change in one process can have dramatic and unintended impact across the entire City. They are adept at using these interdependencies to synergistic advantage.

Risk-Taking - Effective performers have a history of, and propensity for, taking calculated risks to achieve goals. They find a balance between analysis and action. When they fail, they accept it, learn from it, and move on to the next challenge.

Financial Acumen - Effective performers understand the financial framework of the City. They establish and monitor appropriate financial measures (e.g., balance sheet, income statement, cash flow, etc.). They interpret and use financial data to make informed business decisions.

Presentation Skills - Effective performers are able to organize and deliver public speeches that effectively inform or persuade audiences. They are adept at using current presentation technologies and media formats. They are able to field audience questions comfortably and confidently.

Assertiveness- Effective performers readily offer opinions and take action even when their position may be unpopular. They are willing to challenge others appropriately when required. They are self-confident - they trust their own judgment and are not overly dependent upon the approval of others.

Global mindset- Effective performers understand emerging trends, best practices, and innovations beyond the City's boundaries and seek opportunities for continuous improvement.

Leader Identification- Effective performers identify with the role of leader and enjoy positions of responsibility and the exercise of authority. They understand that management is a distinct vocation and choose to be in a leadership position.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The employee must possess the sensory, mental, and physical abilities necessary to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Sensory Requirements

• Ability to observe and assess situations accurately.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others in person, by telephone, and through written correspondence.
• Ability to read, review, and prepare documents and reports.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and technology.

Mental Requirements

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make effective decisions.
• Ability to analyze information and solve complex problems.
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with employees, elected officials, stakeholders, and the public.
• Ability to perform the intellectual and analytical functions required of the position.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers and related technology.
• Ability to occasionally stand, walk, bend, reach, twist, stoop, and climb stairs.
• Ability to travel as required for meetings, conferences, training, and other business purposes.

Work Environment

Work is primarily performed in a typical office environment. Duties require sufficient mobility to move throughout City facilities and occasionally traverse uneven or outdoor terrain. The position requires sufficient vision, hearing, and speech to communicate effectively and perform assigned duties. Occasional travel by automobile, train, or airplane may be required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

NOTE: As a condition of employment, incumbents in this position are restricted from working as a real estate agent or broker for properties within the City of Mesquite or owning or being in partnership with a company that is involved with development in Mesquite.

Classification Grade: M4

Wage Assignment: Salary

Safety Sensitive: No

The City of Mesquite is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals. The City of Mesquite encourages both incumbents and individuals who have been offered employment to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.