Growth Management Director

* Please make sure that you complete the City of Lake Wales Application at https://www.lakewalesfl.gov/762/Job-Openings*

GENERAL PURPOSE

Performs a variety of administrative, clerical and supervisory in planning, organizing and managing the activities of the department, including the major functions of Planning, Zoning, Building Safety, Permit Administration, Plan Review, and Code Compliance.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the broad policy and direction of the City Manager.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Exercise administrative direction over all support staff, part-time or temporary employees as assigned. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervises assigned operations to achieve goals within available resources; plans and organizes workloads and staff assignments; trains, motivates and evaluates assigned staff; reviews progress and directs changes as needed.

Serves as a team leader in the development of short and long range plans; gathers, interprets, and prepares data for studies, reports and recommendations; coordinates department activities with other departments and agencies as needed.

Provides technical and professional advice; makes presentations to supervisors, boards, commissions, civic groups and the general public.

Determines work procedures, prepares work schedules, and expedites workflow.

Build and maintain strong professional working relationships with the business and development communities.

Provides staff support to the Planning & Zoning Board and Board of Appeals as needed and assigned.

Confers with and advise Directors and division heads on issues relating to various code interpretations, plans review, permit issuance, inspections, and administrative matters such as fee collections.

Develops and implements new systems to improve and simplify the development approval process.

Works to resolve problems and conflicts that surface during the development approval process among applicants, department staff, and other City departments.

Evaluates efficiency and effectiveness of department operations, procedures and use of resources; implements improvements.

Responsible for the planning, management and application of financial, human and capital resources to accomplish responsibilities assigned to the department in accordance with all laws and regulations.

Directs development services to support the growth and redevelopment efforts of the community: prepares plans, standards, ordinances, and guidelines for managing growth.

Resolves difficult and sensitive inquiries, complaints and requests for services from the development community and the public.

Directs the development and administration of the department budget; ensuring compliance with the provisions of the approved budget.

Represents the city and the department with various agencies/organizations.

Serves when needed as a member of a planning task force composed of City, County or State groups.

Prepares, facilitates, or delivers presentations to various agencies/organizations in relation to projects, plans, or studies; conducts public meetings and delivers presentations to community groups.

Demonstrates superior seamless customer service, integrity, and commitment to innovation, efficiency, and fiscally responsible activity.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

Serves as a member of various staff committees as assigned.

Attends professional development workshops and conferences to keep abreast of trends and developments in the field of municipal planning.

Other duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

Education and Experience:

(A)      Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in land-use planning, urban planning, landscape architecture or a closely related field, and

(B)       Four (4) years’ experience in municipal planning; or

(C)       Any equivalent combination of education and experience, additional education substituting on a year for year basis for the required experience.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

(A)      Knowledge of zoning laws and comprehensive plans including their formation, process of adoption, and enforcement; Knowledge of planning programs and processes; Working knowledge of Personal Computers and GIS applications; 

(B)       Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with architects, contractors, developers, owners, supervisors, employees, and the general public; Ability to establish effective working relationships.

Preferred Requirement:

American Institute of Certified Planner’s Certification (A.I.C.P.), in combination with registration with appropriate professional organizations. Valid Florida Driver’s License

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Personal computer, including word processing; motor vehicle; calculator; phone; copy and fax machine; tape measure.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed mostly in office settings. Some outdoor work is required in the inspection of various land use developments and construction sites. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand or sit; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, or airborne particles.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office, and moderate in the field.