Planning Director

Gallatin County; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Gallatin County is seeking a Planning Director to lead the Planning Department, oversee land use, zoning, and floodplain administration, and provide expert guidance to the County Commission and planning boards. The role involves coordinating with GIS, Open Lands, and multiple departments, managing a budget, and directing long-range planning initiatives.

The Director will supervise professional, technical, and clerical staff, develop plans within policy, and engage with municipalities and the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in planning, public administration, geography, or a related field is required.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional planning experience, including supervisory or management experience, are required.
• Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, supervises, and coordinates current and long-range land use planning for the County.
• Supervises professional, technical, and clerical staff.
• Prepares and administers plans within the policies of the County Commission and planning-related boards.
• Oversees floodplain administration and coordinates with FEMA requirements.
• Represents the County in meetings and provides staff support to planning boards and committees.
• Coordinates planning activities with GIS, Open Lands, and other departments and partners.
• Develops budget, tracks expenditures, and prepares department objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Supervision

GIS knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in planning / public administration / geography or related field

Job description

Under the general supervision of the County Administrator or designee and consistent with policy direction established by the Board of County Commissioners, the Planning Director manages the County Planning Department and administers land use planning, development review, zoning, floodplain administration, and long-range planning activities. The Director supervises Planning staff, manages departmental resources, provides professional advice to the County Commission and planning-related boards, and coordinates with GIS, Open Lands, other County departments, municipalities, applicants, and the public.

• Plans, directs, supervises, and coordinates current and long-range land use planning for the County;
• Supervises the activities of professional, technical, and clerical personnel;
• Prepares and administers plans within the policies of the County Commission and various planning-related boards and committees;
• Prepares and proposes long-range plans;
• Assigns planners to review development applications;
• Supervises and participates in the preparation and revision of zoning ordinances and zoning maps;
• Prepares draft ordinances and resolutions relating to zoning, subdivisions, building for lease or rent, floodplain management, environmental review and related planning and zoning matters;
• Oversees the County's floodplain administration function, including supervision or coordination of the Floodplain Administrator as assigned, and coordinates updates to floodplain regulations, maps, and related FEMA requirements;
• Serves as staff and technical advisor to the County Commission and various planning-related boards and committees on planning and zoning matters, including the preparation and presentation of reports and recommendations;
• Coordinates staff support for planning-related boards, including the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment, and ensures board members receive appropriate orientation, training, and information to fulfill their responsibilities;
• Confers with architects, engineers, developers, consultants, municipal and agency partners, and the general public on planning matters;
• Coordinates planning activities with regional partners, including the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), municipalities, and other local, state, and federal agencies;
• Makes authoritative interpretations of applicable laws, regulations and policies;
• Monitors proposed and adopted state legislation, regulations, and policies affecting land use planning; evaluates impacts on County operations and advises County leadership and planning-related boards on needed responses or implementation changes;
• Supervises and participates in the more complex and technical planning studies;
• Attends meetings to represent the County and make presentations;
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.
• Coordinates and collaborates with the GIS Office to obtain and maintain geographic information needed for planning analysis, mapping, and development review, to develop planning-related mapping products, and the facilitate public access to planning-related geographic information;
• Coordinates and collaborates with Open Lands Program staff on land use planning matters involving conservation, open space, and related policies, and provides planning expertise and technical assistance to Open Lands projects as appropriate;
• Develops and prioritizes the Planning Department budget and coordinates with planning-related boards, zoning districts, and grant administrators as appropriate;
• Makes budget projections for revenues from fees.
• Prepares the department requested budget to ensure distribution and allocation of personnel and operating expenses, including requests for personnel wage adjustments, capital equipment, operational increases, and capital projects.
• Prepares and tracks departmental objectives, workload indicators tied to County goals.
• Approves budgeted expenditures.
• Monitors expenditures and revenues to ensure they are within the approved budget.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Performs other related duties as assigned, including special projects, training, and assistance with County operations as needed. During a disaster or public health emergency, performs duties under applicable County emergency procedures or as directed by the supervisor.

The required knowledge, skills, and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in planning, public administration, geography, or a related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible professional planning experience, including supervisory or management experience. The position requires demonstrated organizational, leadership, and communication skills. A valid driver’s license and insurability under County liability policies are required.

This position requires knowledge of land use planning principles and practices; Montana laws and regulations governing subdivisions, zoning, growth policies, and floodplain management, and related planning functions; infrastructure and development issues; public processes; and research, data analysis, and report preparation. Working knowledge of GIS and conservation planning is beneficial. The Director must demonstrate sound judgment, strong leadership and supervisory skills, effective project and budget management, clear written and oral communication, constructive public engagement, conflict resolution, and the ability to build cooperative relationships with elected officials, staff, applicants, boards, and community members. The position must appropriately handle confidential and sensitive information.

As a condition of hire, the final candidate will be required to successfully pass a background screening.

For application consideration, the following documents are required to be submitted when you apply online:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Three (3) work references

Gallatin County is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment on the basis of merit and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, national origin, or physical or mental disability.