JOB DESCRIPTION

The purpose of this position is to provide direction, leadership, and general oversight to the City's Community Development Department (Planning, Building Inspections, Code Enforcement, and Environmental Health). Plans, organizes, coordinates, and directs the development activities of the City to ensure the orderly development, environmental health, and vitality of the City. Serves as a member of the City's management team. Performs a variety of technical and administrative tasks such as planning, budgeting, coordinating, and directing the overall operations and activities associated with the City's zoning, platting, site planning, and comprehensive planning activities.

Essential Job Functions & Other Important Duties

• Must process a strong customer service orientation.
• Administer and enforce zoning, subdivision, and planning regulations and ordinances.
• Meet with developers, architects, engineers, realtors, and citizens before, during, and after the development review process to ensure compliance with all applicable ordinances and policies.
• Coordinate with City departments and divisions to complete technical review, analysis, and approval of private and public development applications.
• Analyze development applications and prepare professional reports regarding zoning, platting, and site plan applications for presentation to the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council.
• Coordinates and prepares informational materials and produces agendas, staff reports, meeting packets and zoning exhibits for the Board of Adjustment, Architectural Review Board, Parks Board, Planning & Zoning Commission, and City Council.
• Reviews, coordinates, and releases project status reports to departments related to results of Board of Adjustment, Architectural Review Board, Parks Board, Planning & Zoning Commission, and City Council meetings, and work with the City Engineer and Director of Public Works in coordinating the preparation of development agreements.
• Maintain compliance with all local, state, and federal requirements for planning and zoning codes, ordinance amendments, and other applicable projects.
• Conducts public hearings and receives statements and recommendations related to proposed changes and implementation of various ordinances.
• Create and maintain development activity reports.
• Reviews and circulates development and zoning plan requests to Engineering, Fire Marshal and Building Inspection divisions.
• Assist in maintaining and updating information on the department's website.
• Develop and maintain a database for information related to ordinances and codes.
• Responsible for the coordination and maintenance of corresponding maps and records.
• Prepare research and data reports pertaining to property information, subdivision activity, zoning activity, permit activity, and similar reports utilizing "OpenGov" and "GoGov" software.
• Conduct research and prepare map-work and exhibits for case reports and public presentations.
• Travels to conduct inspections and to attend meetings, conferences, and training.
• Attend evening meetings of the City Council, Architectural Review Board, Parks Board, Planning & Zoning Commission, and other boards and committees as needed.
• Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work hours is essential.
• Conducts long-range planning by securing, coordinating, and managing consultants; coordinating with City staff, City management, and City Council; reviewing documents and making recommendations.
• Coordinates development by meeting with public developers over ordinance requirements, procedures, and policies, reviewing and reporting on development applications, preparing and conducting presentations, and documenting and conveying actions.
• Develops implementation tools by researching and preparing reports, coordinating with other City departments and City Councils, preparing draft ordinances, and making presentations.
• Interacts with personnel to coordinate, prioritize and direct activities related to the interpretation of policies or policy execution strategies, assists in evaluating employees, to establish employee goals and objectives, hiring and disciplining personnel when necessary, and to provide training opportunities.
• Administers the planning division budget; monitoring and approving expenditures.
• Attend and participate in professional organizations and meetings and performs such other related duties as may be assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of city and departmental practices, procedures, and systems, federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, ordinances, and the principles and best practices of comprehensive planning, zoning, building and construction, and environmental issues.
• Comprehensive knowledge of policy and program development and evaluation.
• Ability to effectively manage and supervise staff in a proactive, appropriate, and productive manner.
• Ability to regularly interact with others and exchange and receive information, providing effective and tactful customer service, and work independently with a high level of discretion.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships.
• Advanced ability to interact with people in a professional and congenial manner.
• Ability to speak effectively before City officials, professional groups, and the general public.
• Ability to allocate and utilize limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Ability to prepare reports on highly technical projects and associated issues.
• Good knowledge of computer systems and decision support systems.
• Knowledge, skills, and ability to utilize telephone, fax machines, computers and applicable software daily including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, and CAD.
• Ability to follow instructions, safety practices, and perform work accurately and thoroughly which requires performing multiple tasks simultaneously under time pressures and deadlines.
• Ability to be punctual and attend work regularly.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in urban planning, geography, architecture, public administration, or closely related field, is required. Master's degree in Urban Planning or Public Administration is preferred. Minimum of seven (7) years progressively responsible experience in municipal or regional planning is required, including a minimum of three (3) years as a supervisor. Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Certifications and Licenses Required:

Must possess a valid Texas Class C driver's license, AICP certification is preferred

BENEFITS

The City of Heath provides a competitive benefits package including: Medical, Dental, Vision, TMRS Retirement, Life/AD&D, LTD, employee EAP and additional voluntary benefits.