PZCR - Assistant Planning & Zoning Director

Emmet County, MI; Petoskey (MI); On-site; USD 68,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Emmet County is seeking an Assistant Planning & Zoning Director to work under the Planning & Zoning Director, engaging in all facets of department operations and implementing the County Master Plan. This role involves zoning ordinance administration, case evaluation, and collaboration with multiple agencies.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s in urban planning or related field, at least five years in planning or land-use roles, and a plan to pursue AICP within three years.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in urban and regional planning or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of planning, zoning, or land-use administration experience.
• Candidate must demonstrate ability to attain AICP within 3 years, when eligible.

Responsibilities

• Assist daily administration of the County Zoning Ordinance and process zoning permits and actions.
• Support Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals—prepare cases, notices, evaluations, and materials.
• Attend monthly Planning Commission and ZBA meetings and other public meetings as needed.
• Prepare zoning evaluation reports, visuals, and research; coordinate with related agencies.
• Assist with field inspections following approved site plans and changes.
• Perform zoning enforcement under direction of Zoning Administrator.
• Draft zoning ordinance amendments and map changes with illustrations.
• Assist in preparing the County Master Plan and Recreation Plan for grant eligibility.
• Coordinate planning and zoning education for commissions and boards.

Skills

Planning knowledge

GIS

Grant writing

Public present/communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in urban and regional planning or related field

Minimum 5 years planning experience (may substitute education)

Tools

GIS software

Job description

POSITION: ASSISTANT PLANNING & ZONING DIRECTOR
SUPERVISOR: Director, Planning & Zoning
RATE OF PAY: $68,442 - $73,906
DATE: 11/4/2026
At Emmet County, we are a diverse group of team members who possess a friendly disposition, attention to detail, and an unwavering dedication to providing outstanding services to our constituents. Understanding that our team members are our most valuable asset, Emmet County is committed to providing the best experience and working environment any team member can imagine.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Assistant Planning & Zoning Director works under the general supervision of the Planning & Zoning Director, becoming involved in all phases of the department’s operations, commensurate with the education, skill and particular specialty of the individual employed in the position. The position includes close involvement in the administration of the County Zoning Ordinance and implementation of the County Master Plan.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assist in the daily administration of the County Zoning Ordinance. Be able to process zoning permit and zoning action applications. Answer inquiries from the public regarding planning and zoning issues.
• Assist with the administration of the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals, including case preparation, legal notices, zoning evaluations, public hearing/meeting materials, visual aids, meeting coordination, and minutes.
• Attend Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals monthly meetings. Attend other public meetings, as necessary.
• Prepare zoning evaluation reports, visual aids, and research case facts to facilitate decisions, and present materials. Be familiar with real property legal descriptions. Coordinate review efforts with related agencies. Assist with meeting minutes.
• Assist with field inspections as a follow-up to approved site plans, zoning changes and Special Use Permit requests.
• Perform Zoning Ordinance enforcement responsibilities as may be required under the direction of the Zoning Administrator.
• Draft proposed zoning ordinance text amendments and prepare illustrations for proposed text and map changes.
• Assist in the preparation of the County Master Plan, updated every five years, to remain compliant with the Michigan Planning Enabling Act. Conduct studies, and/or special research and design work related to the planning function in the County.
• Assist in the preparation of the Emmet County Recreation Plan, updated every five years, to remain eligible for grant funding.
• Assist in the administration of the County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.
• Coordinate planning and zoning educational activities for planning commissions, zoning boards of appeals, and others. Attend continuing education programs, to remain current with planning techniques, laws, and retain credentials.
• Assist in maintaining communication with private, government, non-profit agencies and media in order to be poised to work cooperatively and efficiently on planning projects.
• Assist the Director with economic development projects and be able to answer public inquiries and work with Federal and State offices responsible for economic development.
• Assist with writing and administering grants to further projects in community planning, recreation, housing, economic development and related.
• Able to take full responsibility for administering the Planning Department in the absence of the director.
• Other duties assigned by the Planning Director.
• Perform work safely.

DESIRED BEHAVIORAL TRAITS

• Must be a self-starter and independent worker while providing and receiving input from other team members.
• Must possess a positive attitude.
• Must remain professional and calm in stressful situations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of Emmet County policies, ordinances, and land-use processes to be able to answer inquiries from the public accurately and confidently.
• Working knowledge of land use and recreation grant and proposal writing and grant administration.
• Must be able to multi-task yet be organized and detail-oriented.
• Must be a good listener and clear communicator, with the ability to provide written and oral reports.
• Computer literacy and familiarity with word processing, GIS, and other software applications.
• Working knowledge of planning and zoning principles.
• Ability to work with the public in a professional manner. Able to effectively handle and cope with stress from many sources.
• Ability to attend to details while keeping the community goals in mind.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Preference will be given to a candidate who has obtained a bachelor's degree in urban and regional planning, land-use planning, community planning, or a related field. Related fields may include, but are not limited to, geography/GIS, natural sciences, engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, public administration, or a closely related discipline.
• Equivalent professional experience may be considered. A minimum of five (5) years of experience in planning, zoning, land-use administration, ordinance enforcement, community development, or a related field may substitute for the preferred educational background.
• Preference will be given to candidates with direct county, municipal, or regional land-use planning and zoning experience; experience supporting planning commissions or zoning boards of appeals; demonstrated report-writing and public-presentation experience; GIS experience; and experience with grants, master plans, recreation plans, or special planning projects.
• The candidate must demonstrate the ability and commitment to attain AICP certification within three (3) years, when eligible.