City Of Auburn Job Vacancy For Planning Director

General Statement of Duties

Plans, organizes and directs the operations and activities of the Planning Services Department; performs related work as required.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

The principal function of an employee in this class is to administer the Planning functions within the City of Auburn.  The work is performed under the direct supervision of the Executive Director of Development Services but extensive leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative this includes effective collaboration, advising policymakers about long-range planning and community development matters, and overseeing the application of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Future Land Use Plan, Zoning Ordinance, Annexation Policy, and Subdivision Regulations.  Supervision is exercised over all Planning personnel.  An employee in this class performs the duties of other employees within the Planning Services Department as required or as assigned by supervisory personnel. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with other Department and City employees, representatives of business and community organizations and the public.  The principal duties of this class are performed in a general office environment and various work sites throughout the City.

Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)

- Promotes and demonstrates the practices of a High Performing Organizations (e.g. providing opportunities for QII work, leadership at all levels and ensuring communication occurs across all levels of the department);
- Plans, organizes, directs, supervises and coordinates the operations of the City’s Planning Services Department;
- Prepares and administers the Planning Services Department operational budget;
- Plans, organizes, directs and monitors the research including collaboration with appropriate City departments and stakeholders, for the preparation, maintenance and revision of the Comprehensive Plan to include analytical research and studies relating to the physical development of the City of Auburn and its planning jurisdiction;
- Plans, organizes and directs the preparation of plans, proposals and projects for planning and zoning related activities in specific geographic areas and/or municipal functions;
- Represents the Planning Services Department in discussions, negotiations and decision making with organizations and individuals involved in the implementation of local and/or functional plans and projects;
- Collaborates with representatives of the development community, interest groups, neighborhood organizations, other City Departments and local, regional and state agencies in connection with plans, proposals and projects for specific geographical locations or areas within the City of Auburn;
- Serves as an advisor and provides recommendations to the City Manager, Executive Director of Development Services, City Council, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Adjustments, Downtown Design Review Committee and the Historic Preservation Commission;
- Provides advice and interpretation in relation to the City’s Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations;
- Presents Planning Commission recommendations to the City Council;
- Directs the administration, enforcement, review and updating of the Zoning Ordinance and subdivision regulations;
- Maintains a geographically-based data management system for the Planning Services Department;
- Identifies issues and translates policy directives from the City Manager and City Council into a form suitable for research and analysis;
- Coordinates planning functions with other City departments, other municipalities or planning jurisdictions, private organizations and State and Federal agencies as necessary;
- Prepares and submits biennial departmental initiatives;
- Prepares, maintains and monitors an annual work program and schedule designed to implement planning objectives;
- Prepares and submits quarterly assessments of the status of each project and task in a work program and the extent to which goals are being achieved;
- Determines work priorities, makes staff assignments and allocates other resources as necessary to implement the annual work program and fulfill Departmental initiatives;
- Reviews all official documents released by the Planning Services Department;
- Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions;
- Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;
- Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work areas;
- Responds to citizens’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
- Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities;
- Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

- Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of public management and administration;
- Comprehensive knowledge of planning policies, practices and procedures;
- Comprehensive knowledge of planning research principles and methodologies;
- Comprehensive knowledge of urban organization, housing, industrial land use and zoning, commercial, economic and related functions;
- Thorough knowledge of, or the ability to quickly learn, the geographical layout and demographic attributes of the City of Auburn and surrounding jurisdictions;
- Ability to identify planning needs within a municipality;
- Ability to communicate well with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language;
- Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures and instructions;
- Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations;
- Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions;
- Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
- Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology;
- Ability to work cooperatively with others;
- Integrity, ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

Acceptable Experience and Training

- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in City or Regional Planning, or a closely related field; and
- Considerable related planning experience with at least five (5) years of experience in a supervisory role; or
- Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Required Special Qualifications

- Possession of a driver’s license;
- Possession of the AICP designation signifying membership in the American Institute of Certified Planners.
- Establish residence within the corporate boundaries of the City of Auburn within 6 months of employment, and thereafter to maintain residence within the corporate boundaries of the City of Auburn.

Essential Physical Abilities

- Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate effectively;
- Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to review type written documents in both electronic and hardcopy form;
- Sufficient manual dexterity with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate a personal computer and related office equipment;
- Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to function in the general office environment and various work sites throughout the City.