PLANNING MANAGER

Job Description

Job Description

City Planning Manager

Pontiac, MI

Description

FLSA: Exempt

Supervision Received: Works independently under the general supervision of Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and the Community Development Director.

Supervision Given: Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical, and administrative support staff.

CITY PLANNING MANAGER

Under administrative direction, to direct, manage, supervise, and coordinate the programs and activities of the Planning Division within the Community Development Department; to coordinate assigned activities with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Director of Community Development.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Assume management responsibility for all services and activities of the Planning Division including preparation and administration of the City's General Plan and Zoning Ordinance.
• Manage and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs; recommend, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor work load, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships.
• Select, train, motivate and evaluate Planning Division personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
• Plan, direct, coordinate, and review the work plan for the Planning Division; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems;
• Assign work activities, projects and programs; monitor work flow; review and evaluate work products, methods and procedures.
• Manage and participate in the development and administration of the Planning Division annual budget;
• Direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies;
• Direct the monitoring of and approve expenditures; direct and implement adjustments as necessary.
• Serve as liaison for the Planning Division with other City departments, divisions and outside agencies;
• Negotiate and resolve significant and controversial issues.
• Provide responsible staff assistance to the Director of Community Development and Planning Commission;
• Prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Develop and review staff reports related to planning; present reports to the Planning Commission, City Council and other commissions, committees and boards;
• Perform a variety of public relations and outreach work related to planning activities.
• Conduct a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies;
• Recommend modifications to planning programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Review and analyze development plans for compliance with the general plan, zoning and other City regulations and policies;
• Direct the review of use permits, subdivisions, rezoning requests, variances, and other land use entitlements. Administer provisions of the Michigan Environmental Protection Act (MEPA), the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), and various other environmental planning activities.
• Confer with engineers, developers, architects, a variety of agencies and the general public in acquiring information and coordinating planning and zoning matters;
• Provides information regarding City development requirements.
• Attend public hearings;
• Advise the Planning Commission and the City Council on planning activities;
• Confer with City officials as well as the public on City planning activities.
• Participate on a variety of boards and commissions;
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings;
• Stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of urban planning.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Operational characteristics, services and activities of a planning program.
• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of planning programs, policies and operational needs.
• Modern and complex principles and practices of planning program development and administration.
• Planning theory, principles and practices and their application to a wide variety of planning projects.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations.
• Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
• Quantitative and statistical analysis.
• Recent developments, current literature and sources of information related to urban planning.
• Safe driving principles and practices.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software.
• Operate a motor vehicle safely. Ability to: Manage, direct and coordinate the work of professional, technical, and administrative support personnel.
• Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff.
• Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for the Planning Division.
• Recommend and implement goals, objectives, and practices for providing effective and efficient planning services.
• Prepare and administer budgets.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative reports.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of planning goals.
• Research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures and techniques.
• Identify, coordinate and resolve a wide variety of interests in the development of land use policy.
• Analyze site design, terrain constraints, circulation, land use compatibility, utilities and other urban services.
• Ensure program compliance with Federal, State and local rules, laws and regulations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible professional urban planning experience including three (3) years of administrative and supervisory experience with a public agency.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, geography, or a related field.
• A Master’s degree is desirable. License or Certificate:
• Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license.
• Possession of AICP certification is desirable.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and stand; must regularly lift and or move items up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift or move items over 50 pounds; be able to clearly hear constituents when speaking in person or on the telephone. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. The City of Pontiac is an equal opportunity employer.