Planning Director

Vance County, North Carolina; Henderson (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Vance County is seeking a Director of Planning with responsibility for directing daily operations, enforcing land use regulations, and guiding long-range planning efforts. The role includes serving as a technical advisor to county leadership on zoning, development, and policy matters.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree in planning and at least five years of progressive planning experience with supervisory duties, plus relevant licenses or certifications preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Land Use Planning, Urban and Regional Planning, or related field.
• Minimum of five years' progressively responsible planning experience, including management or supervisory responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise day-to-day operations of the Department and enforce applicable land use regulations.
• Serve as technical advisor to County Manager and County Commissioners on planning, zoning, and land use matters.
• Participate in Transportation Planning as a member of the Kerr-Tar Regional Planning Organization's TCC.
• Analyze county planning needs, programs, services, infrastructure and requests for assistance.
• Formulate recommendations for current and long-range plans, priorities, and strategies to improve county development.
• Research and draft local land use policies and ordinances to meet objectives.
• Direct the preparation of charts, maps, graphs and other materials and present to officials and groups.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Land use planning

Urban planning

Regulatory knowledge

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Land Use Planning/Urban and Regional Planning

Job description

This position is open until filled.

The Human Resources Office is unable to provide status updates by telephone.

The salary range is listed above. Starting salary will depend on qualifications and experience.

An employee in this class directs all current and long-range community planning work for the county. Work involves the development, administration, interpretation, and enforcement of land use regulations (i.e. zoning), subdivision regulations and other ordinances (i.e., flood damage prevention, watershed management, etc.); developing and implementing land use studies including the Vance County Comprehensive Plan; serving as technical advisor to the County Commissioners, Planning Board, Board of Adjustment; and communicating with the public about county planning projects and responding to planning issues. Personal contact is involved with county, state and federal officials concerning proposals for establishing or revising ordinances and plans governing planning activities in the county. Work requires the application of considerable professional and technical knowledge as well as the ability to formulate programs and direct progress. The worker is subject to indoor and outdoor environmental conditions. Duties are performed under the administrative direction of the County Manager and under the technical direction of the County Planning Board.

• Manage and supervise the day-to-day operations of the Department including the administration, interpretation, and enforcement of applicable county land use regulations.
• Serves as technical advisor to County Manager and County Commissioners regarding planning, zoning, and zoning enforcement and land use matters.
• Transportation Planning - serves as a member of the Transportation Coordinating committee (TCC) for the Kerr-Tar Regional Planning Organization.
• Analyzes county planning needs, programs, services, infrastructure and requests for assistance.
• Formulates recommendations regarding current and long-range plans, priorities and strategies for improving economic and quality of life for County citizens.
• Researches and drafts local land use policies and ordinances to further County land use objectives regarding the patterns and standards of development.
• Directs the preparation of charts, maps, graphs and other illustrative materials and makes presentations to elected officials, appointed board, community groups and concerned citizens.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Requires a Bachelor's degree in Land Use Planning, Urban and Regional Planning, or a closely related field, along with a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in planning, including management or supervisory responsibilities, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses or Certifications

• Possession of a valid driver's license required.
• Possession of the American Institute of Certified Planners {AICP} or the North Carolina Certified Zoning Official (CZO) certification is preferred.

Special Requirements

None.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of rural and regional planning.
• Thorough knowledge of demographics, economics, finance and sociology as they apply to planning.
• Thorough knowledge of current literature and recent developments in the field of planning.
• Thorough knowledge of environmental regulations.
• Thorough knowledge of transportation planning.
• General knowledge of the principles and practices of urban design and engineering as they relate to planning and subdivision design and control.
• General knowledge of the principles and practices of building codes enforcement.
• Ability to interpret and analyze technical and statistical information and to prepare and present technical oral and written reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, County officials, other agencies and the general public.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Must be able to perform light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Must possess the visual acuity to inspect details of construction, prepare reports, operate computer terminals, and do extensive reading.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a relatively safe, and secure work environment.

Please Note:

If offered a position, official transcripts/verification of education must be submitted directly to the Human Resources Office from the educational institution(s) listed on application. Positions requiring a minimum education/certification must also have official documents submitted to the Human Resources Office. Unofficial transcripts may be submitted by the candidate with the application for consideration of meeting minimum job requirements.