Gem County / City of Emmett

GEM COUNTY / CITY OF EMMETT

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Planning Director/Zoning Administrator

DEPARTMENT: Development Services

REPORTS TO: Board of County Commissioners

PAY RATE: $53,000+ per annum, DOE (exempt)

BENEFITS: Medical/Dental/Vision/Life paid for employee, PERSI retirement, sick leave, vacation, holidays, and funeral leave.

JOB SUMMARY

Under direct supervision of the Gem County Board of County Commissioners and accountable to the Emmett Mayor and City Council, performs professional level technical work related to land use planning, zoning, construction plan review, site inspection and grant writing. Manages development services for Gem County and City of Emmett, including department budget oversight, ordinance development, employee supervision, staffing of planning and zoning commissions and administration. Oversees Gem County code enforcement and building functions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

· Oversees the day-to-day operation of the Development Services Department, including budgeting, purchasing, training and supervision of Planning and Zoning, Code Enforcement and Building Department employees.

· Serves as the Zoning and Floodplain Administrator for Gem County and City of Emmett, responsible for all duties assigned to the Administrator through the Zoning and Floodplain Ordinances.

· Ensures development service activities are effectively coordinated with other City and County departments, local and regional service providers and state and federal agencies.

· Performs in-depth analyses of land use proposals regarding conformity with established plans and ordinances; conducts planning related research and collects and analyzes data to produce complete, accurate and logical staff reports, compliance letters and other zoning certificates. Requires physical travel and on-site investigation of real property conditions.

· Prepares and oversees the preparation of written staff reports on development applications to City and County Zoning Commissions and elected officials. Required to attend evening meetings and make oral presentations during public hearings.

· Prepares and oversees the preparation of written reports, studies and recommendations on long-range planning initiatives to the Joint Planning Commission and elected officials.

· Directly provides and oversees customer assistance to the public, the real estate community, appraisers, developers and others inquiring into planning and zoning related issues, planning application procedures, and community development regulations and ordinances.

· Reads, interprets, and reviews site designs, topographic plans, landscape plans, and architectural plans and comments on needed changes and adjustments to plans.

· Provides advice and recommendations to the appointed and elected officials regarding the Joint Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, and Floodplain Ordinance deficiencies and potential amendments.

· Ensures all requirements of the Subdivision Ordinance are followed, including application procedures, on-site inspections, bonding and improvements.

· Represents Gem County and City of Emmett on various local and regional planning and community development committees and effectively and accurately reports to elected officials on outcomes and anticipated impacts of committee results.

· Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with appointed and elected officials, other civic leaders, clients, state and federal authorities, and other local government departments;

· Uses ArcView and associated computer databases to research property ownership and land use information

OTHER FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

· Works independently with minimal supervision and oversight;

· Demonstrates positive behavior through optimism, decisiveness and team decision making;

· Identifies and corrects potential conflicts before they become a problem;

· Maintains a positive attitude of cooperation in performance of work assignments, including adaptability, flexibility, proactive engagement with co-workers and clients, problem solving, decision making, resiliency, organization and time management;

· Attends continued education conferences, workshops, and other training opportunities to remain current with planning and/or development trends;

· Provides outstanding customer service by communicating respect, being open-minded, having a spirit of collaboration, and calmly resolving conflict with individuals that may be upset or angry;

· Develops and uses empathetic listening skills;

· Demonstrates good judgment and initiative to interpret and apply County and City policies and procedures;

· Demonstrates integrity in the performance of assigned tasks;

· Performs other duties as assigned or needed.

MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education / Experience

· Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for satisfactory job performance. The following factors will be considered minimum qualifications:

1) A minimum of four years of experience in land development and/or land use planning field;

2) Bachelor’s degree in planning or a related field plus two years of experience in land development and/or planning field;

3) Knowledge of the principles, theories and objectives of state and local area laws, codes and other regulations pertinent to planning, zoning and community development;

4) Knowledge of zoning, subdivision and floodplain ordinances and comprehensive plans, including their formation, process of adoption and enforcement;

5) Reading and understanding complex site plans and blueprints;

6) Research techniques and report compilation;

7) Personal computers and related software applications (e.g. GIS, word processing, database and spreadsheets).

· Proven knowledge and competencies in the following areas: 1) Idaho Local Land Use Planning Act; 2) Idaho statutes related to subdivisions and annexations; 3) basic land development and real estate practices; and 4) qualitative research and analysis skills.

· Effective oral and written communication skills; tactful interaction with the general public; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers.

Reasoning

· Ability to solve problems using the principles of logic.

Language

· Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures and government regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively respond to questions from groups of the community, officials, customers and general public.

Mathematical

· Ability to calculate basic figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, percentages, area circumference and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Licensing

· AICP preferred.

· Possession of a valid Idaho driver’s license and a safe driving record is required. If selected for employment, out-of-state candidates must obtain a valid Idaho driver’s license within the introductory period.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIRMENTS

· Office position;

· Some vehicle operation and travel required;

· Employee is occasionally subject to outside environmental conditions and is required to negotiate rough terrain in order to conduct site visits which may also involve extreme heat and/or cold;

· Sometimes requires climbing and stooping;

· Sometimes requires reaching and kneeling;

· Frequently requires sitting at a desk for long periods of time;

· Constantly requires repetitive movement of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers;

· Constantly requires clarity of speech and hearing, which permits the employee to communicate effectively;

· Constantly requires clear vision to read printed materials and computer screen to accomplish work;

· Requires sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, which permits the employee to function in a general office environment to accomplish the tasks noted above.