Buncombe County is hiring an Assistant Planning Director.  The Planning Department is a growing department in a rapidly changing regulatory environment.  The team currently is made of 33 staff in four (4) distinct divisions including Development Services, Engineering and Environmental Services, Long Range Planning and Community Development.  The Department provides professional regulatory services in the fields of Planning and Zoning, Stormwater, Erosion Control, Floodplain Management, the creation of long-range plans, and manages the Mountain Mobility Transit System and the Affordable Housing Services Program, amongst many other adjacent and related services.  If you are looking for a challenging position and if you have the skillset, experience and knowledge, this is the job for you. 

This position will be posted till October 14th, 2026 after that the position will come down. The candidate chosen for this position will be expected to start November 16th.

Additionally, Buncombe County has a very rich benefits package, including an 8% contribution to our 401(k) with NO match required. We also have a state pension with a 5-year vesting period. Buncombe County offers first-in-class health insurance and generous paid time off plan including 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave that roll over each year, and 12+ days of PTO each year.

Purpose of the position: purpose of this position is to support the overall operations and management of an enterprise department by collaborating with the Department Director and staff to ensure efficient functioning of the department and achievements of the organizational goals.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire):  Bachelor’s degree in related field and five (5) years of administrative experience in government or business including two (2) years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Training and Experience: Special qualifications including specialized knowledge, abilities, education, experience, or license may be established for individual positions.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Assist the director with the implementation of long-range strategic plans, departmental goals, policies, procedures, and business practices consistent with the county's strategic plan and provide the highest level of analysis and recommendation.
• Assist the director in providing leadership and direction to management, professional, and support staff through direct and indirect supervision to ensure continued development with a focus on the delivery of superior service and adherence to established policies, procedures, and standards; champion continuous improvement, including devising new strategies, training and development opportunities to ensure staff is sufficiently knowledgeable and dynamic regarding protocols and performance expectations.
• Collaborate with the director to ensure departmental compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Monitor, control, and interpret rules/laws, and develop data systems for effective and accurate support.
• Assist the director in the preparation and implementation of the department’s annual operating budget and capital budgets consistent with program goals and objectives; identify, obtain, and manage funding from grants and community partners as needed and participate in the interpretation, management, and enforcement of contracts and grants within the department.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders; convene and participate in recurring and specialized meetings and committees including workshops, interagency task forces, special projects and community groups representing the department and providing for knowledge transfer and exchange.
• Collaborate with the director to prepare and present reports to County leadership, boards, commissions, other governmental agencies, and community groups including the presentation of findings related to executive and elected officials’ requests for research and information.
• Receive, respond to, and resolve confidential and sensitive inquiries; investigate complaints and recommend corrective actions in consultation with the department director and Human Resources as necessary.
• Perform special projects and other related duties within area of responsibility as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to program activities and/or business functions; and of the principles and practices of public administration and management.
• Ability to direct and organize program activities and/or business functions; to establish goals and objectives that support the strategic plan; to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions; to develop and evaluate policies and procedures; to prepare reports; to communicate effectively; and to supervise the work of others.
• Knowledge of computer systems, databases, and spreadsheet use to ensure department efficiency.  
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and deliver proposals that are clear, engaging, data-based, accurate, and aligned with Buncombe County’s strategic goals.
• Possesses leadership and excellent team management skills. Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, including experience working directly with users and collaborating across internal teams to deliver complex projects.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.