PLANNING MANAGER

Clear Creek County; Georgetown (CO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Clear Creek County seeks a Planning Manager to lead the Planning team, focusing on long-range planning, zoning code refinement, and protecting natural resources while encouraging affordable housing and safe neighborhood growth.

The role requires directing a professional planning staff, coordinating with internal and external review bodies, and guiding development review and land use administration to achieve community goals.

Qualifications

• Six (6) years in land use planning experience in a local government environment.
• Experience supervising a small team and providing leadership.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, AICP certification within one year of hire.
• Must have valid Colorado driver's license.
• Strong written and verbal communication, and ability to work with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Direct supervision of planning staff, including training, workload review, and performance evaluations.
• Manage development review caseload and coordinate staff reports for accuracy.
• Interpret and administer land use policies, zoning, and comprehensive plans.
• Develop and update Countywide land use regulations and procedures.
• Serve as project manager for major planning projects and staff to boards and commissions.
• Coordinate planning activities with other divisions and outside agencies.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Land use planning

Zoning knowledge

Public administration

Communication skills

Budget forecasting

Education

BS/BA in Public Administration, Business Administration, Planning, Urban Design or related

Master's degree substitute for 2 years experience

Job description

Clear Creek County is a unique and varied county, with small historic communities, stunning scenic vistas and miles or rugged backcountry. It is an amazing place to live and work no matter what the vocation, and an even better place to take an opportunity to serve and be a part of a close-knit welcoming community that is striving to learn and grow.

The opportunity to join the team at Clear Creek County as Planning Manager is a chance to lead the Planning team at a key moment, when new team members and new leadership is bringing new capacity and focus on Planning; on long-term planning, on honing and updating zoning code to ensure it reflects the goals this community has around growing affordable housing, protecting high alpine basins and strengthening neighborhoods and community.

The Clear Creek County Planning Manager should bring 6 years' experience in land use planning, they should have experience supervising a small team and be comfortable with leadership and all it requires. The County is seeking a person who sees Planning and as an opportunity to protect and preserve natural resources, to monitor development, and encourage neighborhoods and residents to occupy the land safely together.

Job Summary

Under general supervision of the Strategic & Community Planning Division Director, this position is responsible for ensuring a high level of service to residents across all areas of the Planning Department. The Planning Manager manages a team of professional planners working collaboratively with internal and external review agencies involving work in development review, land use code administration, and aspects of long-range planning. Oversees and performs the most difficult and complex professional planning work.

Principal Job Duties

• Exercises direct supervision over professional and technical staff including coordinating staff training, assigning and reviewing work, participating in the interview and selection process, making recommendations impacting pay, status, and disciplinary action, evaluating performance independently or in conjunction with a higher-level supervisor/manager, and approving time off.
• Manages development review caseload, assigns cases to the current planners, coordinates and reviews staff reports for accuracy and use of planning principles, and oversees staff presentations for public hearings.
• Interprets, coordinates, and administers policies and comprehensive plans pertaining to planning, zoning, and development of community resources and services.
• Seeks ways to improve and standardize development application processing, regulations, and dissemination of County data, including improving development review systems.
• Develops and updates Countywide regulations and procedures pertaining to land use, zoning and other land use applications.
• Assesses needs of staff and operations and designs, implements, coordinates, and administers employee and resource development programs.
• Participates in the development, refinement, and implementation of goals, objectives, regulations, and procedures Acts as a resource or expert, providing training and coaching to staff.
• Serves as project manager for major planning projects.
• Manages the development application review function.
• Manages the land use code administration function.
• As assigned, serves as staff to the Planning Commission, Board of County Commissioners, Board of Adjustment including the preparation and presentation of reports and recommendations, and oversees staff who serve as liaisons to other commissions and committees.
• Oversees and participates in various project teams, committees or boards related to program activities and responsibilities.
• Analyzes and makes recommendations regarding the entire development review process, from the preapplication stage through certificate of occupancy.
• Responds to difficult complaints and requests for information from community members, developers, and others for a wide variety of inquiries including, but not limited to, county plans, policies, procedures, regulations and development applications.
• Participates in work sessions and public hearings with the Board of County Commissioners, Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, and others as assigned.
• Coordinates planning activities and builds partnerships with other division programs, other County departments and divisions, and with outside agencies.
• Ensures approved plats and plans are documented and/or recorded and that documentation records are accurate and complete.
• Assists in forecasting annual budget and operational needs.
• Contributes to program and system process improvements.

Nonessential Functions

• May oversee, comment on or otherwise contribute to a variety of related special projects and studies dealing with land use, zoning, development, demographics, economics, housing, and natural resources.
• Develops yearly work plans for the program and provides input to setting objectives and priorities for Department activities.
• Assists in the drafting of amendments to the Land Use Code or Master Plan.
• When a local declaration of emergency or disaster is declared by the Board of Commissioners, all Clear Creek County employees may be required to work as a Disaster Service Worker.
• Performs other duties as appropriate or necessary for performance of the job.

Education

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

BS/BA in Public Administration, Business Administration, Planning, Urban Design or a related profession, and experience within sphere of responsibility, or equivalent combination of education and experience equal to both required education and required experience.

Experience

Six (6) years in land use planning experience in a local government environment, including supervisory responsibilities, required. Master's Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Urban Planning, or a related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required years of experience.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) within one (1) year of hire required.

Completion of Systematic Development of Informed Consent (SDIC) training preferred.

Necessary Special Requirements

Must have valid Colorado Motor Vehicle Driver's License

Must pass background check: Criminal and Traffic

Conviction of a crime will not be an absolute bar to employment

Required legal authorization to work - United States citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States

Certifications & Licenses

AICP certification desired

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• General office practices and procedures.
• Routine software and business applications including, but not limited to, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and databases.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Read and comprehend department and County rules, regulations, policies and standard operating procedures.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other County employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations, and members of the community.
• Regular, predictable attendance.
• Principles and practices of urban and regional planning and land use regulation.
• County land development processes and organization and functions of the various agencies involved in the planning process.
• Supervisory principles, procedures, and methods including selection, training, discipline, and evaluation.
• Laws, regulations, intergovernmental agreements, plans, policies, and procedures.
• Collect and analyze data and develop complex plans and reports and make recommendations.
• Complex development review, land use code administration, and/or long-range planning functions.
• Read and research official office documents such as records, plats, and maps.
• Provide professional customer service to clients and the public.
• Effectively respond to conflict situations and people in conflict.

Physical Requirements And Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. The noise level in the environment is moderate. Work requires primarily indoor activities. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, hear, walk and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, stand, stoop, kneel, or crouch. Physical demands are described as sedentary (exert up to 10 lbs. of force frequently or constantly. Occasionally lift, carry, pull, or push up to 40 lbs to move objects). Must be able to occasionally stoop, kneel, balance, reach, and crouch while performing office duties. Travel by automobile is required to attend professional meetings or to coordinate the division's activities with other departments and outside agencies. Must possess verbal and auditory capacity enabling interpersonal communication as well as communication through automated devices such as the telephone. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory

Instruct, delegate and review the work of all planning services personnel.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of requirements, duties and responsibilities. Clear Creek County provides reasonable job-related accommodations for disabled persons.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of requirements, duties, and responsibilities. Clear Creek County provides reasonable job-related accommodations for disabled persons.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of one other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c).