Assistant Director (Planning Department)

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Assistant Director of the Planning Commission assists the Executive Director in managing and coordinating the operations, programs, and strategic initiatives of the Planning Department. This position provides leadership and direction to staff, oversees project assignments, and contributes to informed decision-making that promotes efficient, equitable, and sustainable planning outcomes. The Assistant Director plays a key role in implementing the county’s comprehensive planning goals, land use policies, and community development strategies.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential Functions

The duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Assists the Executive Director and Board in advancing regional planning strategic initiatives, long-term land use planning goals, and County policy development.
• Assists the Executive Director in preparing, monitoring, and managing the Department budget, including invoice reviews and financial reporting.
• Processes and manages staff scheduling, leave approvals, and timesheets, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness.
• Assists with the development, implementation, and maintenance of Departmental procedures and policies to improve departmental efficiency.
• Engages with municipalities, developers, County departments, State and Federal agencies, and community stakeholders to implement planning programs and plans.
• Participates in and completes special projects and assignments for the Planning Commission and the Board of Commissioners.
• Assists in the preparation and planning of special projects, studies, and community engagement initiatives
• Assists the Executive Director in reviewing and approving staff work products for alignment with departmental policies and professional standards.
• Fosters a positive, collaborative, and professional work environment that promotes teamwork and staff engagement.
• Assumes the duties and responsibilities of the Executive Director in their absence

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Urban or Regional Planning, Public Administration, Geography, Architecture, Civil Engineering, or a closely related field. 
• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional planning experience, including at least three (3) years in a supervisory, management, or project leadership capacity.
• Experience with a federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is preferred.
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of regional and community planning.
• Strong understanding of local government structures, policies, and decision-making processes.
• Ability to develop and manage departmental work programs and budgets under the direction of the Executive Director.
• Ability to use technological solutions to manage planning data effectively and support strategic, evidence-based regional planning efforts.
• Demonstrated leadership ability to motivate, train, and guide planning staff toward achieving departmental goals.
• Skilled in organizing and directing staff in the completion of complex projects, studies, and plans across multiple planning disciplines.
• Excellent facilitation skills, with the ability to lead meetings, engage stakeholders, and communicate effectively in public forums.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with elected and appointed officials, agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Demonstrates creativity, independent judgment, and sound decision-making in addressing specialized or complex planning issues.
• Ability to work diplomatically and effectively within established County policies and procedures.
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with a high degree of professionalism and discretion in handling confidential information.
• Ability to maintain composure and perform effectively under pressure.
• Physical presence in the office is required.
• Ability to handle stress.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Regular on-site presence and engagement in the office are required. The position involves attendance at off-site evening meetings, periodic overnight travel, and periodic weekend meetings.  The working environment will also include occasional field work that is commonly associated with the planning profession, such as site reviews, confirmation and mapping of environmental features at remote locations within the County, monitoring traffic conditions, and completing existing land use surveys.

This position description serves as a guideline for communicating the essential functions and other information about the position to the applicant/employee. It is not intended to create a binding employment contract nor cover every detail of the position, and may be changed where appropriate.