GENERAL DEFINITION AND CONDITIONING OF WORK:
Performs supervisory, managerial, and professional planning work in directing the activities of the planning and code enforcement functions of the Town.
An employee in this class plans, organizes, and directs and reviews the activities of the Planning Department.

Responsibilities include current, short- and long-range planning, code development and implementation, minimum housing quality inspection oversight, and code/ordinance enforcement programs.
Work requires professional planning in the research, development, application, modification and improvement of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan and various other planning and zoning related programs and documents.
Administrative and technical supervision is exercised over a planning and code enforcement staff.
Duties include consulting with staff, the Town Manager, boards and committees on development of the Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance; budget preparation; and supervisory functions of employment, training, review of work, performance appraisal and discipline.
Work requires considerable knowledge of the planning field and local ordinances, and a strong public relations and extensive public contact.
Work is supervised by the Town Manager and is evaluation through conferences, reports, and progress on projects.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TYPICAL TASKS:
THE EMPLOYEE MAY PERFORM A COMBINATION OF SOME OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING DUTIES AND OTHER DUTIES WHICH MAY BE ASSIGNED BY THE TOWN OF SMITHFIELD:

Plans and organizes project activities.
Establishes goals and objectives.
Recommends and administers policies and procedures.
Develops and recommends budget for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies and monitors expenditures.
Provides functional and administrative supervision of the planning and code enforcement programs; deals with the public and problem solves with staff.
Conducts and supervises planning studies in the community to gather data for evaluating current and future planning projects.
Serves as technical advisor to the Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, other departments, civic groups, and the general public on planning, zoning, code enforcement and related matters.
Confers with engineers, developers, architects, a variety of agencies and the general public in obtaining information and coordinating planning and zoning matters.
Provides information regarding Unified Development Ordinance requirements.
Selects, trains, motivates and evaluates personnel; establishes, reviews, evaluates performance expectations; provides or coordinates training; counsels employees and plans actions to correct performance deficiencies; and takes appropriate action as required.
Directs, coordinates, and reviews amendments to the general comprehensive plan.
Provides plan and code enforcement interpretation.
Reviews subdivision and site plans and prepares recommendations for the Planning Board and Town Council; presents and explains zoning and subdivision cases; negotiates details of major zoning cases.
Supervises preparation of Board minutes, agendas and meeting materials.
Conducts special studies and researches complex planning problems.
Prepares a variety of comprehensive reports.
Responds to and resolves difficult citizens’ inquiries and complaints.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of planning and zoning as it applies to the comprehensive planning process;
Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of the Town’s planning process as it pertains to the design and development of urban activities, planning research, zoning and subdivision activities;
Knowledge of the techniques required in the preparation of maps, charts, sketches, and complex graphics, including automated systems;
Considerable knowledge of the laws and regulations in minimum housing and local code enforcement, zoning and land use, and environmental matters;
Working knowledge of the principles and practices of organization, administration, personnel management and budgeting;
Ability to plan, prioritize, assign and direct the work of staff;
Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms; to interpret planning, zoning and building inspection policies to officials and the general public;
Demonstrated ability to analyze and systematically compile technical and statistical information, and to prepare technical reports;
Demonstrated ability to evaluate the feasibility of planning alternatives in relation to trends, costs and social pressures and needs; and
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, department heads, officials, and the general public.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Graduation from a four-year accredited college or university with a major in planning or related field and 10 or more years of experience in city, county or regional planning; or
Equivalent combination of education and experience.
Possession of a valid North Carolina driver's license.
Certified Zoning Official certification, is preferred
Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners, is preferred.
Certified Floodplain Manager Credentials, is preferred

Town of Smithfield jobs

Planning Director