Description
Position Summary
The Director of Development Services leads a talented team to ensure the zoning, permitting and inspection processes in Orange County reflect the County’s vision as well as important customer service goals. Performs high level work evaluating policies, regulations, and practices related to planning and development management. Directs and oversees the Planning, Zoning, Permitting, Building Inspection, Code Enforcement and Erosion and Sedimentation functions. Leads staff in formulating and pursuing implementation of the Comprehensive Plan for the County, oversees the review of site and subdivision plans, building plan review, permitting, and zoning and code enforcement. Plans and directs the activities of departmental employees and division managers. Provides or coordinates the provision of technical advice to the County Administrator, their Deputies and Assistants, the Board of Supervisors, and the Planning Commission. Work is performed under minimal supervision of the County Administrator.
Essential Job Functions
Provide effective supervision of assigned staff including selection, performance management, employee relations, training, prioritizing, and assigning work, and related activities
Establish priorities, policies, and strategies for the department’s divisions and their implementation; support division staff in resolving policy issues; identify and streamline development review procedures and work to implement those procedures organization-widePlan and direct the operations within budgetary limitations and in consideration of the caseload and resource needs
Coordinate and submit the department’s annual operating and capital budget requests
Attend meetings of various commissions and committees as assigned; in consultation with the leadership team, monitor and assign other professional staff to attend commission and committee meetings as necessary; also interact with other departments, County Administrators, County Attorney, Board members, other localities, state agencies, elected officials and the general public on various topics
Meet with and provide assistance to developers, builders and property owners; act as a facilitator in promoting and expediting residential, commercial and industrial economic development projects; ensure final determinations are made on development projects, approvals, and sureties in compliance with the County Code of Ordinances and applicable policies
Direct, coordinate, assign, and supervise activities of professional, paraprofessional, and administrative staff in the Development Services Department; review staff’s performance, resolve problems as non-routine situations arise; provide assistance to staff on planning, zoning, site plans, subdivision, inspections and code enforcement matters
Receive, review and act on plans and procedures developed by departmental staff ensuring efficient and friendly customer service
Evaluate workloads and staffing levels in the department; assigns staff to specific areas of responsibility to distribute the workload among staff
Develop, manage, administer, and represent the County planning program; oversee departmental operations including planning, zoning, building inspections, code enforcement, development review and comprehensive planning functions; perform complex and sensitive research and analysis; develop policies and procedures; and supervise the compilation and analysis of development information, the preparation of plans, and special studies
Direct and supervise program managers and professional staff engaged in the development of plans and policies regarding transportation, housing, code enforcement, inspections, public facility requirements, development review; regulatory controls; economic development; land use; urban design; environment planning; Federal and State requirements and proposals; and related matters
Act as advisor to the County Administrator and the Board of Supervisors; provide recommendations on planning and development matters
Develop and implement an effective public relations program designed to inform our citizens and to keep department processes valid and transparent; respond to public and media inquiries regarding the County’s planning functions; make presentations pertaining to County development issues to civic, public, and private groups
Resolve development and code-related issues, conflicts, and problems; confer with and advise County Administrators and other department/division heads on matters related to land use, plan and permit review, and zoning and code enforcement; recommend policy or ordinance amendments related to regulation of development and plan implementation
Provide guidance and oversight to departmental divisions involved in plan-review, permit issuance and code enforcement
Oversee functions of Planning and Zoning Manager and E&S Program Manager related to all aspects of the site plan and subdivision plan review process
Perform other duties as assigned
Note: This is not an exhaustive list of duties. The County reserves the right to modify job duties or assign additional responsibilities as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in planning, public administration, geography, government, or a closely related field
Master’s degree in above mentioned fields (desired). A master’s degree may be substituted for two years of experience.
Experience: Five (5) to Seven (7) years of experience in management at the local government at a senior level with demonstrated experience and knowledge of current and long-range planning practices, development review processes, code enforcement practices including zoning and erosion and sedimentation control (desired), regulation of land use, and effective supervisory practices.
Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver’s license or
Be able to obtain within 30 days of start date
Other: Any equivalent combination of education and experience that meets the education and experience qualifications may be considered
Special Qualifications
Must have and maintain an acceptable driving record
May be required to report to work to serve customers during emergency conditions
May be assigned to report at a different time and location and to perform different duties as necessary.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Demonstrated experience and knowledge of development review, planning, code enforcement, land use regulation, and e?ective supervisory practices.
Experience working with projects of various sizes
General level use of computer permitting software (Tyler, EnerGov, etc) and should have working understanding of development-related software, including managerial use of GIS resources and team project management tools.
A working knowledge of erosion and sedimentation control, stormwater and ?oodplain management, principles of code enforcement and development law would be beneficial
Knowledge of leadership techniques, principles and procedures to assign work, schedule, supervise, train, and evaluate the work of assigned staff; principles and processes for providing customer service including setting and meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing; lead teams; facilitate groups; maintain effective working relationships with employees, department directors, County officials, representatives from the private sector or other localities, and the public.
Ability to work effectively and ethically with citizens and with each other to meet the needs of the community and the organization. Employees are expected to demonstrate work behaviors that model the County’s values and further the County’s mission.
Ability to utilize wise resource planning and land-use decisions to attract and support a business base, while maintaining the rural nature of the county and facilitating the planned urbanization of the eastern portion of the county in a thoughtful and sustaining way
Ability to manage people e?ectively by fostering a culture of service and success.
Working Conditions and Disclaimer
Duties are performed primarily in an office setting.
Performs work safely in accordance with department safety procedures and County Safety Program; operates equipment safely and reports any unsafe work condition or practice to supervisor.
The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees with this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications as required of employees assigned to this position.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Orange County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
General Acknowledgement: The employee is expected to comply with all County policies and procedures and to consistently demonstrate adherence through their conduct. As a representative of Orange County, the employee is also expected to serve as a role model by upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in accordance with these policies.
Orange County is an equal opportunity employer. Orange County does not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected class as established by law.
