Development Services Division Manager

Buncombe County is a caring community in harmony with its environment where citizens succeed, thrive, and realize their potential. Our mission is to promote a healthy, safe, well-educated, and thriving community with a sustainable quality of life; to provide effective and efficient government our citizens can trust; and to deliver needed service through a responsive work force committed to excellence, integrity, and teamwork.

Purpose of the position:

The primary purpose of this position is to provide division management, program oversight, guidance and advanced technical work for the evaluation, administration and implementation of specific programs (i.e. zoning, land use, entitlement coordination) and other development related regulations related to planning and development within the County’s Planning Department.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience:

Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) with major course work in planning or a related field and five (5) years of experience in rural and or urban planning at the local governmental level; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Additional Training and Experience:

Planning related certifications will be evaluated and taken into consideration during the application process. Major coursework in planning, or a related field with an emphasis on land use planning at the local level is preferred.  In addition, a master’s degree in planning or a related field is preferred. AICP, CZO, CFM or other related certifications or combination thereof is desirable.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:

AICP, CFM or other planning related certifications is preferred.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Initiate and execute the planning and coordination of activities in assigned areas of specialization; monitor to ensure projects remain on schedule and routinely advise the Planning Director on the daily operations of planning related functions.
• Analyze needs, programs, services, and requests for assistance; recommend project priorities and enforce planning and zoning regulations.
• Assure that reports and orders are completed and executed in conjunction with the Board of Adjustment and the Planning Board including but not limited to the preparation of text, map amendment, and special use permit staff reports.
• Serve as a technical advisor to the Board of Adjustment, Planning Board, other boards and agencies (as necessary) and County officials on matters relating to planning and development activities.
• Routinely audit the permitting tracking system, work with IT and other departments on performance improvements to both the permitting system and the electronic plan review software.
• Provide direct supervision and guidance to the short range planning staff (development review, field and code enforcement staff), collaborate with senior planning staff and provide technical review expertise and code interpretation in coordination with the Planning Director.
• Ensure the maintenance and accuracy of records and orders and prepare comprehensive reports based upon careful research and study of planning areas.
• Conduct public meetings and prepare public presentations.
  Serve as Zoning Administrator.  Seek concurrence with Planning Director when ordinance interpretation is needed.
• Assist the Department Director in the overall management, execution and administration of services for assigned division; provide administrative oversight for operational and administration activities and functions.
• Establish, implement and evaluate internal systems and organization to effectively meet operating goals and objectives; develop and evaluate internal policies, procedures and staff organization to effectively carry out divisional operations.
• Initiate and implement the Comprehensive Plan and actively manage other long range planning initiatives including specific departmental commitments related to other County plans such as the Strategic Plan, Racial Equity Plan, etc.
• Ensure effective employee relations, diversity and staff development/training; oversight and completion of employee evaluations; ensure County personnel policies and procedures are appropriately administered within the division.
• Assist in department budget development and monitoring to ensure cost effectiveness and to ensure that purchasing and financial transactions are properly conducted in accordance with County administrative policies and procedures.
• Analyze needs, programs, services, and requests for assistance; recommend project priorities and enforce planning and zoning regulations, text, map amendments and contract specifications (as required).
• Serve as a technical advisor to the Board of County Commissioners, Board of Adjustment, Planning Board, other boards and agencies (as necessary) and County officials on matters relating to planning and development activities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of rural, urban and regional planning.
• Knowledge of the environmental and socioeconomic implications of the planning process.
• Knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in the field of planning specialization.
• Knowledge of government programs, laws, grants, and services pertinent to the planning process.
• Knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization, and administration as well as management techniques as applied to local government administration.
• Skill in the collection, analysis and presentation of technical data and planning recommendations.
• Ability to work under limited supervision with direct guidance from the Planning Director.
• Ability to organize and conduct complex planning and research studies and formulate substantive recommendations based on such studies.
• Ability to organize and conduct complex planning and research studies and formulate substantive recommendations based on such studies.
• Ability to plan, assign and direct the work of others.
• Ability to exercise tact when necessary and handle tense situations.  This position will play a critical role in the de-escalation of upset or distraught customers especially those that involve other staff members.
• Ability  to effective use MS Office Work suite, GIS, Cobblestone and Accela permitting software is necessary

Department:Planning

Location: Asheville, NC

Job Posting End Date: August 14, 2022

 

Salary Range: $74,190.83 – $91,192.92

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee’s unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. In addition the Agency expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.

Applicants for employment are invited to participate in the affirmative action program by reporting their status as a protected veteran or other minority. In extending this invitation, we advise you that: (a) workers (applicants) are under no obligation to respond but may do so in the future if they choose; (b) responses will remain confidential within the human resource department; and (c) responses will be used only for the necessary information to include in our affirmative action program. We are a company that values diversity. We actively encourage women, minorities, veterans and disabled employees to apply. Refusal to provide this information will have no bearing on your application and will not subject you to any adverse treatment.