Development Services Coordinator


Employer
Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County
Athens, Georgia

Description
The purpose of this job is to manage and coordinate the operations of the Development Services Division. The Coordinator will act as the lead development review staff on planning issues for the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government and provide coordination and supervision for technical staff within the division. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, administering development-related ordinances, overseeing the issuance of zoning-related permits, preparing studies and reports, preparing and delivering presentations, providing direct coordination for the Development Services 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 Development Services Division within the Planning Department, including administration of the Historic Preservation Ordinance and the functions of the Historic Preservation Commission, the Hearings Board, Construction Plans Review process administration, Community Tree Management ordinance, Neighborhood Notification Initiative, and plat review processes.
  • 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 Development Activity in the Community
  • Serves as the primary resource and liaison for internal departments and external stakeholders regarding the coordination of planning and zoning related policies and regulations and their impact on development potential and actual activity in our community.
  • Oversees the development of strategic plans and assessments related to development regulations and associated review processes.
  • Coordinates and manages multiple moderately complex projects at various stages of implementation, in coordination with the partners and in compliance with state/federal requirements.
  • Represents the department at public hearings, committee meetings and other project related meetings.
  • Administers the collection, management, and analysis of development-related data in Athens-Clarke County.
  • Defines and tracks key metrics, outcomes, and outputs related to the department’s development services programs.
  • Prepares development services-related agenda items.
  • Prepares and maintains the Natural and Historic Resources Elements of the Comprehensive Plan, including assisting in Parks and Open Space planning.
  • Prepares Requests for Proposals (RFP’s); coordinates projects with consultants.
  • Responds to requests for information regarding development activity within the community.
  • 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.
  • Assists in the preparation of 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 zoning code issues associated with development 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 development ordinances, regulations, policies, practices, and expectations.
  • 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.
  • Assists with the collection of development data in the residential, commercial, and industrial economic sectors, including typical timelines and costs for construction activity in each sector.
  • Researches and prepares amendments and updates to land development regulations including zoning and subdivision regulations.
  • Performs other duties as required and/or assigned.
  • Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the Planning Department as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the position of Coordinator.
  • Knowledge of terminology and methodology used within the planning profession.
  • Knowledge of all applicable laws, ordinances, policies, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.
  • Knowledge of applicable legal and court processes.
  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of comprehensive planning.
  • Knowledge of management, human resource management and financial practices, policies and procedures as necessary in the completion of daily responsibilities.
  • Knowledge of Geographical Information Systems. Knowledge of project management practices.
  • Knowledge of management, human resource management/personnel, financial and multi-discipline practices, policies, and procedures as necessary in the completion of daily responsibilities.
  • Knowledge of meeting facilitation techniques and practices.
  • Knowledge of community engagement strategies and technologies.
  • Knowledge of any changes in policy, methods, operations, budgetary and equipment needs, etc. as they pertain to departmental and human resource/personnel operations and activities.
  • Knowledge of the use of computers and various computer software programs relevant to the position.
  • Knowledge of grant writing and reporting, and the ability to formulate grant applications and interpret and manage grant contracts.
  • Knowledge of regulatory agency compliance issues and processes. Ability to develop and administer policies, procedures, plans and activities and to monitor the performance of subordinates against measured established goals.
  • Ability to compile, organize, prepare, and maintain an assortment of records, reports, and information in an effective manner and according to departmental and/or governmental regulations.
  • Ability to effectively communicate and interact with subordinates, supervisors, other employees, government officials and the public as they relate to the activities of the Planning Department.
  • Ability to use independent judgment in routine and non-routine situations.
  • Ability to handle the required mathematical calculations.
  • Ability to understand computer applications and techniques as necessary in the completion of daily assignments.
  • Ability to plan, organize, and/or prioritize daily or long range assignments and work activities.
  • Ability to communicate effectively by written and oral means.
  • Ability to prepare and deliver public presentations, reports or other documents in a concise, clear and effective manner.
  • Ability to handle outside fieldwork.
  • Ability to supervise subordinate employees.
  • Ability to act independently with little or no instruction or supervision.
  • Ability to research and analyze related topics and to draw conclusions.
  • Ability to work both collaboratively and independently with limited supervision.
  • Ability to provide team leadership in a diverse setting.
  • Ability to prepare, administer, and monitor multiple and detailed project budgets and anticipate future budgetary needs.
  • Ability to formulate goals, identify needs, develop and implement strategies.
  • Ability to prepare and deliver public presentations and to communicate effectively with citizens and diverse special interest groups. Has organizational, management, human relations, and technical skills.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, elected officials, and appointed boards.
  • Ability to handle required calculations using statistical calculations.
  • Ability to read, understand and interpret personnel and financial reports and related materials.
  • Ability to work both collaboratively and independently with limited supervision. Ability to provide team leadership in a diverse setting.
  • Ability to prepare, administer, and monitor multiple and detailed project budgets and anticipate future budgetary needs.
  • Ability to formulate goals, identify needs, develop and implement strategies.
  • Ability to prepare and deliver public presentations and to communicate effectively with citizens and diverse special interest groups. Has organizational, management, human relations, and technical skills.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, elected officials, and appointed boards.
  • Ability to handle required calculations using statistical calculations.
  • Ability to read, understand and interpret personnel and financial reports and related materials.

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 of supervisory experience required. Internal candidates who do not meet this requirement must complete the ACCgov Supervisory Equivalency.
  • Two years’ experience in zoning administration or community planning data management and analysis required.
  • Must possess a valid driver’s license.
  • Master’s Degree and AICP certification preferred.

Salary & Benefits
PAY GRADE: 124 / $66,292 – $78,969 depending on qualifications

How to Apply

Learn More and Apply

Deadline
04/07/2023

Published:  March 8, 2023
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