PURPOSE OF CLASSIFICATION

The purpose of this classification is to assist in directing, managing, and overseeing Planning Department functions in both current and long-range planning initiatives and administration of grant programs and special assignments and to administer, coordinate, and implement land development code and comprehensive planning programs through building permit review, planning petition processing, and public presentations and responses to the public for zoning information. Employees in this position assist the Planning Director with all facets of City planning initiatives, such as transportation, land use and regulations, neighborhood redevelopment, natural resources, and housing programs.

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

The Deputy Director of Planning will assist the Director of Planning and perform in his/her absence all duties including the following:
Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff: develops and oversees employee work schedules to ensure adequate coverage and control; compiles and reviews timesheets; approves/processes employee concerns and problems and counsels or disciplines as appropriate; assists with or completes employee performance appraisals; directs work; and trains staff in operations, policies, and procedures.
Directs and administers staff planning in development, implementation, review, and revision of the City’s planning and development initiatives, the Comprehensive Plan, grant program(s), and other special programs; conducts staff meetings to organize and prioritize planning tasks; prepares the planning staff position for major items.
Assists in formulating and developing policies and standard operating procedures; implements departmental rules and regulations; communicates and clarifies local, state and federal regulations, codes and standards.
Ensures all departmental activities comply with applicable local, state and federal codes, ordinances, laws and regulations, standards, policies and procedures; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.
Has primary responsibility for developing and preparing long range management plans, including the Comprehensive Plan, Vision, and master planning initiatives.
Receives, investigates and responds to citizen complaints and inquiries.
Organizes tasks in order to complete assigned work; confers with employees, assists with complex/problem situations, and provides technical expertise; assists with training and instructing employees regarding operational procedures and proper use of equipment; assists with supervision of employees by reporting employee problems and providing input on disciplinary action and employee performance evaluations.
Reviews and analyzes all agenda items, including preliminary plats, final plats, applications for rezoning, variances, conditional uses, plan amendments, and code amendments.
Coordinates City planning and development activities with other local, County, regional and State agencies.
Develops the City’s annual Comprehensive Plan amendment cycle, to include preparation of staff reports, City Council executive summaries, and City ordinances. Reviews Comprehensive Plan amendments, to include preparation of staff reports, summaries, and ordinances, and meeting with applicants/attorneys as applicable. Administers the City’s Comprehensive Plan updates, to include establishing work plans, staff assignments, and plan content and format; reviews applicable State law for compliance.
Reviews and analyzes various staff reports, studies, and other forms of documentation to evaluate performance, gain information, determine compliance, and apply to special projects.
Compiles data and assimilates such into various reports and records for documentation and presentation purposes, accountability, and future reference, i.e., impact studies, population data and analysis, maps, diagrams.
Prepare agenda and ensure staff adherence to established department calendar in meeting task deadlines for the Planning Advisory Board, Design Review Board, City Council, Community Redevelopment Agency Board, and other committee/board initiatives.
Process petitions for board and City Council review; oversee application meetings, notice (mailed, advertised and posted), meetings with staff, preparation of report and resolutions/ordinances, and coordination with other departments; responds to questions on petitions; makes presentations before board and City Council; and follows up on petition processes.
Evaluate and amend the Land Development Code to include workshops with City Council, boards and other committees, meeting with City Attorney, preparation of ordinance and processing as required.
Evaluate and amend the Comprehensive Plan; oversee and participate in development of the City’s Comprehensive Plan in areas of transportation, land use, housing, infrastructure, neighborhood development, state housing, capital improvements, and conservation and natural resource management; conduct evaluation of comprehensive plan utilizing bi-annual amendment process as requested and a full evaluation of the plan every seven years; conduct public hearings; perform analysis of State Statutes; transmit required reports; and process necessary amendments.
Provide written and verbal responses to requests for zoning information; responds to phone, email and walk-in requests; researches answers through code, past ordinances, resolutions and building permits; and drafts responses.
Evaluates operational and organizational needs, statistical data, growth trends, and community needs.
Prepare annual budget and approve expenditures; conduct annual analysis of costs and estimate costs for following year; input benchmarking data; develop goals and objectives for department; present proposed departmental budget to City Manager and City Council; prepare quarterly reports on goals and objectives and monthly approvals of expenditures prepared by Administrative Assistant.
Review building permits for compliance with Land Development Code; contact contractors and architects regarding changes; conduct site visits as necessary; and enter review results in database.
Operate a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data, utilizing Microsoft Word, H.T.E., Excel, Access, ArcView, word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, Internet, e-mail, or other software; and operate general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions.
Communicates with City Council, Board members, attorneys, contractors, developers, engineers, design professionals, regulatory agencies, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems; provides oral presentations in public and official forums concerning planning projects, how issues are addressed, and projected impacts; prepares agendas and presents plans to the Planning Advisory Board, Design Review Board, and City Council.
Manages the bidding of special projects; evaluates requests for proposal and requests for qualifications; makes recommendations for selection of contractors and consultants; ensures adherence to plans and specifications of special projects.
Maintains current knowledge of trends and developments in municipal planning, development, and growth management, Naples Code of Ordinances, various State statutes, parking and trip generation standards of the ITE (Institute of Transportation Engineers), other administrative codes relevant to planning, and the professional standards of planning practice as adopted by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree in Public Administration, Planning or closely related field, or Bachelor’s degree and additional licensing; supplemented by five (5) years experience in Municipal Planning, with progressively responsible managerial experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license.
American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification preferred.

City of Naples

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Deputy Director of Planning