Job Description

Starting Annual Salary: $83,200-$99,008, DOE.

General Statement of Duties:

Directs operations and activities of the Planning Division including the development and implementation of short- and long-term planning and zoning activities and establishes and implements standards to ensure operational efficiencies.

Classification Summary:

The principal function of an employee in this class is to lead the overall operations and activities of the Planning Division. The work is performed under the direction of the Development Services Director, but considerable leeway and authority is granted for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative. Supervision is exercised over all Division personnel. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Director, Board of County Commissioners, Planning and Zoning Commission, Department staff, other county employees, business and community groups, outside professionals, and the general public. This position may serve as acting Development Services Director in his/her absence.

Examples of Duties

• Leads, administers, and manages the Planning Division of the County Development Services Department including personnel, operations, policies and procedures, activities, planning, schedules, and priorities;
• In collaboration with the Development Services Director, develops and implements standard operating procedures, policies and accountability methods, embracing a mindset of continuous improvement;
• Provides professional-level project management including delegation, timelines, and accountability measures for tasks and cases, utilizing County selected project management programs, databases, and software programs;
• Develops strategic plans for the County Planning Division, identifying ways to improve internal processes, while delegating tasks to the Planning team, ensuring deadlines are met;
• Mentors Planning Division staff in the timely completion of assigned tasks and helps them manage workflow, changes in procedures, and responsibilities;
• Responsible for the accurate and high-quality preparation and maintenance of records and files and all staff reports, exhibits, correspondence, Findings of Facts, Conclusions of Law, and other documentation regarding planning and zoning applications and decisions including long-range planning projects;
• Ensures training and certification requirements and goals for Planning Division staff are met;
• Identifies and corrects potential conflicts before they become a problem, demonstrating positive, and solution-focused leadership through optimism, decisiveness, and team decision-making;
• Maintains a positive attitude of cooperation in the performance of work assignments including adaptability, flexibility, proactive engagement with customers, clients and co-workers, problem-solving, decision-making, resiliency, organization and time management;
• Provides and models outstanding customer service by communicating respect, being open-minded, having a spirit of collaboration, and calmly resolving conflict with individuals;
• Coordinates and requires accountability for all team cases with public hearing dates, records, and internal procedures;
• Provides and trains the division on excellent oral, written, and graphic communications tailored to the audience;
• Effectively communicates the County\xe2\x80\x99s and Department\xe2\x80\x99s organizational goals, objectives and values to staff and models behavior that is consistent with them;
• Involves employees in decision making processes, seeks employee ideas and input, encourages and emphasizes accountability for employees to be productive and to produce high quality work, recognizes and works with differences with employees and their work styles;
• Establishes clear standards for employee work performance, monitors work performance, tracks qualitative performance measures, and provides timely feedback to staff about work performance;
• Provides interpretation and decisions related to Canyon County ordinances to colleagues and the public regarding complex planning issues involving land use planning, policies, ordinance requirements, application filing procedures, and the permit review process;
• Writes requests for a variety of consultant proposals, prepares contracts, and monitors progress and adequacy of consultant work based on specific contract provisions; manages planning-related contracts with other agencies;
• Assists Development Services Director with staffing, policy issues and developing and implementing the Planning Division\xe2\x80\x99s budget;
• Provides professional and technical planning recommendations to Canyon County Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of County Commissioners;
• Meets with technical and citizens advisory committees to present and discuss or formulate policy recommendations;
• Coordinates with developers, contractors, property owners, community and neighborhood groups, civic advisory groups, the public, and other interested and affected parties in land use, planning, and development issues and decisions;
• Coordinates information and planning between cities, specifically on city impact areas;
• Coordinates information and planning with partner agencies;
• Prepares and presents oral and written reports on Planning Division activities, issues, and objectives as directed;
• Represents the County to regional planning groups and at public meetings;
• Maintains current assessments of County growth management needs and policies;
• Reviews and resolves complex or controversial applications and complaints from the public;
• Reviews and proactively completes County code updates and amendments to help achieve stated growth and planning policies;
• Leads integration of software-based solutions in the Planning Division, assuring adoption and consistency of use;
• Researches, analyzes, and writes comprehensive planning reports, ordinances, resolutions, comprehensive plans, subarea plans, and land use plans and amendments;
• Attends Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of County Commission meetings as required;
• Keeps the Development Services Director and designated others informed of work progress, including present and potential problems, and suggests new or improved ways to address such problems. Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with County policies, procedures, and safety practices;
• May serve as the Development Services Director in his or her absence;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Principles of supervision, motivation, training, and performance evaluation;
• Collaborative decision processes including outreach, facilitation, and communication methods;
• Project management principles, techniques, and outcome-based management;
• Principles and terms related to general and applied planning, development regulations, land use theory, transportation planning, comprehensive planning, and zoning requirements;
• Current city and county ordinances and codes governing zoning, development, design, subdivision, signs, and other applicable issues;
• Federal, state, and other applicable statutes governing planning, zoning, development, land use, and redevelopment program administration;
• Research, statistical analyses, and database management related to planning and development and economic development administration;
• Municipal budgeting procedures; administration, organization, and management procedures;
• Municipal accounting and administration procedures and practices relating to permit issuance and fee collection.

Ability to:

• Lead, coach, and mentor subordinate staff, including goal setting, work prioritization and corrective action;
• Set performance standards and metrics; implement accountability methods;
• Demonstrate good judgment and initiative to interpret and apply County policies and procedures;
• Communicate effectively and establish and maintain working relationships with other employees, the public, developers and builders, customers, applicants, property owners, and other interested and affected parties, in difficult and sometimes adversarial circumstances;
• Interpret, understand, explain, and apply complex planning laws, ordinances, codes, and regulations applicable to planning projects and studies;
• Read and interpret maps, aerial photos, site plans, plats, construction documents and legal descriptions; read, interpret, and apply ordinances, laws, policies, and procedures;
• Resolve conflicts and maintain cooperative relationships with others contacted through the course of work including the general public, boards, commissions, professional and technical personnel, public and private officials, and staff; respond in a positive manner to supervision;
• Think analytically and creatively to see patterns, problems before they emerge and find solutions that have not been proposed before;
• Compose clear and concise correspondence and written technical documents;
• Present to a variety of audiences, translating technical information to non-technical audiences;
• Facilitate cooperation and consensus by participating and working cooperatively in a team framework;
• De-escalate difficult situations in a respectful manner;
• Demonstrate integrity, initiative, and accountability in the performance of assigned tasks;
• Use sound judgment when escalation to Director is warranted;
• Operate standard office equipment, including a personal computer using program applications appropriate to assigned duties.

Acceptable Experience and Training

• Bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s Degree required in Planning, Community Development, Public Administration or closely related filed; Master\xe2\x80\x99s degree preferred;
• Eight (8) years\xe2\x80\x99 experience in planning, development, county administration, or a related field, with at least three (3) of those years at a public agency;
• Five (5) years\xe2\x80\x99 supervisory experience;
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Special Qualifications

• AICP Certification required within one year of date of hire. If not in place at time of hire, candidate must be qualified at hire to sit for the AICP exam;
• Idaho driver\'s license;
• Must successfully complete a background investigation through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

Essential Physical Abilities

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and communicate with others in person and by telephone;
• Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions and review, evaluate, and prepare various written material, technical documents, blueprints, and plans;
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate standard office equipment and computer systems, adjust equipment, and operate a motor vehicle;
• Sufficient personal flexibility, mobility, strength, and agility, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to work in an office environment and perform field inspections.

EOE Statement

Canyon County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions related to recruitment and selection are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.

Canyon County