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Job Description

PLANNING DIRECTOR

(Non-classified)

JOB CODE 18290

Effective Date:	12/92A

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The fundamental reason this class exists is to direct and administer the City's planning program which involves the formulation, installation, modification and improvement of plans for the City's physical and social development. This official acts as technical advisor to the Planning Commission and as technical advisor to the City Manager, City Council and City officials on matters relating to planning and development. Supervision is exercised over a technical staff which gathers and evaluates social, economic and other data upon which to premise planning recommendations. General policies which control the direction of planning studies and research are prescribed by the Planning Commission and generally involve consultation and review of alternatives with the Planning Director. Under the direction of the City Manager the Planning Director operates with considerable independence and submits reports and recommendations on a variety of problems for the Commission's consideration.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Supervises the activities of professional, technical, and clerical personnel;
• Prepares and administers plans within the policies of the Planning Commission and City Council;
• Prepares and proposes long range plans;
• Assigns assistants to the development of major planning projects;
• Supervises the preparation and/or revision of the zoning ordinance and zoning maps;
• Serves as technical advisor to the Planning Commission, City Manager, City Council and department heads on planning and zoning matters;
• Represents the Planning Commission at public meetings and at conferences with other public and private groups;
• Gives advice to and cooperates with municipal officials, major developers, and community organizations in connection with new or contemplated major projects and coordinates construction projects with the long-range capital improvements program;
• Negotiates and settles disputes on major planning and zoning problems;
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• The principles and practices of city planning.
• Economics, municipal finance, and sociology as applied to city planning.
• The principles and practices of engineering and physical design as related to city planning.
• Predictable social and anti-social behavior under varying planned and unplanned conditions and of the needs of the varying elements of a community.
• The principles and practices of public administration and of the limits of public action.

Ability to:

• Perform a broad range of supervisory responsibilities over others.
• Communicate orally in the English language with customers, clients, and the public in face-to-face, one-on-one settings, in group settings, and using a telephone.
• Produce written documents in the English language with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.
• Work cooperatively with others.
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.
• Evaluate plan alternatives in relation to trends, costs, and social pressures and needs.
• Organize and administer the functions of a planning department.
• Exercise good judgment.

Additional Requirements:

• Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• Performs other essential or marginal functions as assigned.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
Five years of experience in city planning, managing a department or major division and possession of a bachelor's degree in urban or city planning, landscape architecture, engineering, architecture, or a related field. Other combinations of experience and education which meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.