Comprehensive Planning Coordinator
Employer
Athens-Clarke County Unified Government
Athens, Georgia
Description
Purpose of Job The purpose of this job is to manage and coordinate the operations of the Comprehensive Planning Division. The Coordinator will act as the primary staff on long-range planning issues assigned to and developed within the Planning Department, and provide coordination and supervision for technical staff within the division. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, overseeing the administration of assigned boards (e.g. the Planning Commission, and regional transportation planning processes associated with MACORTS). Administering development-related ordinances, overseeing the issuance of zoning-related permits, preparing studies and reports, preparing and delivering presentations, providing direct coordination for the Comprehensive Planning Division, performing direct coordination for the Athens-Clarke County Plans Review process, performing special studies and projects, and performing additional tasks as assigned.
The following duties are normal for this job. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Division Leadership
- Leads the daily operations of the Comprehensive Planning Division within the Planning Department, including the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) functions, GIS services, and long range planning and special project administration.
- Supervises and evaluates assigned staff, handles all employee concerns, delegates’ assignments, counsels and disciplines employees when necessary, and completes employee performance appraisals.
- Plans and directs all internal operations of assigned program areas to ensure that program outcomes are achieved.
- Develops and maintains detailed program policies and procedures.
- Prepares correspondence, reports, forms, flowcharts, graphs, spreadsheets, project schedules, and other documentation.
- Reviews, processes, responds, forwards, maintains various documentation as appropriate.
- Routinely maintains relevant data related to division programming and functions.
- Responds to requests for information from government officials, Athens-Clarke County employees, the general public, and other individuals.
Supports Comprehensive Planning in the Community
- Serves as the primary resource and liaison for internal departments and external stakeholders regarding long-range planning projects, programs, policies, and services in our community.
- Oversees the development of strategic plans and assessments related to housing and implements activities to address the outcomes from these reports.
- Coordinates programs internally and externally to ensure that programs complement each other, are not duplicated, and best serve the client.
- Coordinates and manages multiple moderately complex projects at various stages of implementation, in coordination with identified partners and in compliance with state/federal requirements.
- Represents the department at public hearings, committee meetings and other planning project related meeting; plans, implements and attends housing workshops and seminars.
- Defines and tracks key metrics, outcomes, and outputs related to the department’s community-wide comprehensive planning programs.
- Prepares long range planning-related agenda items.
- Provides oversight and supervision for the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s transportation and transit planning personnel.
- Provides routine oversight and supervision for the Planning Commission.
- Coordinates the Review Process for all Type I, Type II, and Type III decisions as identified in Chapter 9-4 of the Athens-Clarke County Code or Ordinances.
- Estimates existing population and employment in the community; prepares 20 year projections. Prepares and maintains the Population Element of the Comprehensive Plan; assists in yearly updates estimates of population and employment down to the census block group level.
- Prepares and maintains the Housing and Transportation Elements of the Comprehensive Plan, including assisting in Parks and Open Space planning.
- Prepares, maintains and updates the Land Use, Economic Development and Community Facilities elements of the Comprehensive Plan; duties include preparing special area studies, recommendations, and preparing economic base, infrastructure and utilities studies.
- Prepares special reports on topics such as the spatial location of new development and the amount of acreage of vacant land undergoing urbanization (by land use).
- Prepares Requests for Proposals (RFP’s); coordinates projects with consultants.
- Responds to requests for information on demographic data including census information; acts as the Department’s liaison with the Census Bureau. Evaluates Developments of Regional Impact (DRI’s) and coordinates the Unified Government’s response to the State of Georgia.
- Prepares, submits and reviews the division’s budget and assists with preparing the department’s budget; ensures compliance with both.
- Coordinates projects with other departments of the Unified Government and with local, state and federal agencies as needed; ensures that departmental reviews are completed in a timely and effective manner.
- Prepares Sector/Neighborhood plans for areas in the community including neighborhood land use updates, with support from other staff.
- Coordinates with the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on planning activities in economically distressed areas in the community.
- Maintains a comprehensive and current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws/regulations; appears in court as needed to justify recommendations.
- Prepares and conducts presentations to the public, the governing body and other applicable organizations and groups; effectively communicating in potentially unstable environments/situations.
- Provides instruction and direction to the general public and department visitors; receives, responds to or forwards departmental, governmental or public correspondence by phone, mail, message, etc.
- Attends various training workshops, conferences, and committee and public meetings that may require meeting at night or overnight traveling; records minutes of meetings as assigned.
- Evaluates and analyzes zoning, subdivision and building permit data; originates summary reports on important trends reflected in this analysis and its potential impact on the Comprehensive Plan.
- Evaluates the draft plans of Unified Government line departments and works with them to ensure their consistency with the adopted Comprehensive Plan; incorporates changes in the plans into the Comprehensive Plan.
- Identifies important GIS maps and databases needed to support comprehensive planning efforts in cooperation with the GIS/Graphics Division. Assists in the development and maintenance of a thorough database of pertinent information to support the Planning Department’s Planning Data Services function, including the reviewing, classifying and evaluation of data.
- Reviews and summarizes market conditions in the multi-family, commercial, and industrial economic sectors, including typical vacancy rates and prices for apartments, office space, etc. Researches and prepares amendments and updates to land development regulations including zoning and subdivision regulations.
- Performs other duties as required and/or assigned.
Job Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in urban/regional planning, public administration, landscape architecture, environmental design, or related discipline with four years of planning or related experience required; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position.
- Two years experience in zoning administration or community planning data management and analysis required.
- Two years of supervisory experience required.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license.
- Master’s Degree and AICP certification preferred.
- Work Schedule: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM with occasional after hours meetings required. Regular and predictable attendance is required.
- Must work cooperatively with others.
- Required attendance at public meetings during weeknights as assigned.
- May be requested to work on evenings for scheduled meetings and infrequently on weekends.
- When requirements include vehicle operation, responsible for the safety, readiness and operation of the vehicle and must abide by ACC’s safe driving policy.
Salary Range
$76,785 Depends on Qualifications
Benefits
Total compensation at the Unified Government includes a comprehensive set of benefits, a well-established culture of wellness, and a secure retirement that set us apart as a stable Employer of Choice where you can serve and make a difference in the community.
Our Benefits program is designed to support every aspect of our employees’ lives, from physical and emotional to social and financial.
Along with their salary, employees receive a variety of comprehensive benefits as part of their total compensation.
As an Employer of Choice, we offer:
Health
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Prescription drug plan
- Onsite Employee Wellness Center – free for employees, spouse, and children 18+
- Employee Assistance Program
- Wellness education and incentive programs
- Annual Wellness Fair
- Annual employee appreciation events
- Free onsite health screenings (to include hearing, skin cancer, biometric screening, flu shots)
- Safety & Risk training and job-related vaccinations
Family and Career
- Training and professional development opportunities through the Organizational Development Department
Opportunities and Career Development via the Government Wide Learning Management System
Time
- Annual/Sick leave
- 13 paid holidays per calendar year
Money
- Robust Wellness Program – earn up to $175 per quarter for participation
- Health Savings Account for medical and dependent care
- Employer Paid Pension Plan (10 years of service)
- 457 (b) Deferred Compensation Program with employer match
- Tuition Reimbursement Program
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness Employer – Federal Student Aid
- Financial education programs
- Uniforms provided (if applicable)
- Discount Admissions – ACCGov Parks, Georgia Aquarium
Protection
- Group Accident insurance
- Critical Illness insurance
- MASA Medical Transportation Insurance
- Employer paid basic life insurance
- Whole life insurance
- Employer Paid Short Term Disability
- Long Term Disability
- Contributory term life insurance
- Pet Insurance
To learn more about the Benefits offered at ACCGov, you may access them below.
How to Apply
Deadline
12/10/2026