RICHLAND COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA

CLASS DESCRIPTION

2006

CLASS TITLE: PLANNING SERVICES MANAGER

COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

The purpose of the class is to direct, promote and supervise the County’s comprehensive land use and neighborhood planning process with the goal of guiding orderly development in the County and its sub-areas including neighborhood master plans, corridor studies, master plans and feasibility studies as well as zoning ordinance and land development regulation text amendments; and to perform related professional, administrative and supervisory work as required. This class works within broad policy and organizational guidelines and does independent planning and implementation, reporting progress of major activities through periodic conferences and meetings.

ESSENTIAL TASKS

The tasks listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class.  Management may assign additional tasks related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

Plans, organizes and directs all programs and activities of the Planning Services Division of the Community Planning and Development Department.

Develops goals/objectives for projects, along with implementation strategies.

Ensures division compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, policies and procedures, and standards of quality and safety.

Supervises subordinate staff; supervisory duties include instructing; assigning, reviewing and planning work of others; maintaining standards; coordinating activities; assisting with the selection of new employees; acting on employee problems; recommending employee discipline and discharge as appropriate.

Reviews the work of subordinates for completeness and accuracy; evaluates work performance and makes recommendations as appropriate; offers advice and assistance as needed.

Provides for adequate staff training and professional development opportunities.

Prepares and submits annual budget requests to the Director of Community Planning and Development.

Improves the department’s capacity to deliver planning services through staffing, business process improvement, technological innovation and community outreach; responds to escalation of customer service issues referred from co-workers, County administration and the Ombudsman’s Office.

Provides staff support to the Planning Commission, including the preparation and presentation of reports, surveys and studies.

Recommends procedural reforms, policy initiatives, and changes in legislation to department management, County administrators, the Planning Commission and County Council.

Manages updates to the County’s Comprehensive Plan.

Performs research related to demographics and other socioeconomic data; Compiles statistics and prepares temporal and spatial analyses of community growth and land use change.

Works closely with community groups, organizations and associations to share information and educate residents about growth and development within their respective communities

Attends and participates in community meetings, workshops, and public forums.

Solicits input and feedback regarding community needs.

Researches and applies planning principles and practices to develop procedural, regulatory and fiscal tools for implementation of the County’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan.

Liaises with internal and external stakeholders, governments, and non-profit agencies to coordinate and collaborate on projects and multi-jurisdictional plans.

Promotes integration of County capital improvements planning with County comprehensive land use planning; facilitates interagency and interjurisdictional coordination of community infrastructure planning and development.

Participates in development review meetings for pending land use / land development projects as requested.

Coordinates division activities and functions with those of other County departments, divisions, municipalities, boards, commissions, task forces and outside agencies as appropriate.

Ensures the proper maintenance of vehicles and equipment assigned to the division.

Plans and participates in department marketing and public relations efforts; makes public presentations to inform the public about planning projects and programs.

Represents the department and County at various local, regional and national conferences and meetings.

Performs general administrative / clerical work as required, including but not limited to preparing reports and correspondence, copying and filing documents, entering and retrieving computer data, answering the telephone, conducting and attending meetings, etc.

Attends training, conferences, seminars, meetings, etc., to enhance job knowledge and skills.

INVOLVEMENT WITH DATA, PEOPLE, AND THINGS

DATA INVOLVEMENT:

Requires synthesizing or integrating analysis of data or information to discover facts or develop knowledge or interpretations; changes policies, procedures or methodologies based on new facts, knowledge or interpretations.

PEOPLE INVOLVEMENT:

Requires negotiating, exchanging ideas, information, and opinions with others to formulate policy and programs or arrive jointly at decisions, conclusions, or solutions.

INVOLVEMENT WITH THINGS:

Requires handling or using machines, tools or equipment requiring brief instruction or experience, such as computers,  copiers, telephones or similar equipment; may service office machines, including adding paper and changing toner.

COGNITIVE REQUIREMENTS

REASONING REQUIREMENTS:

Requires performing work involving the application of principles of logical thinking to diagnose or define problems, collect data and solve abstract problems with widespread unit or organizational impact.

MATHEMATICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Requires using mathematics involving the practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions; or measurements, logarithmic or geometric construction. May use algebraic solutions of equations and inequalities; descriptive statistics; deductive geometry, plane and solid, and rectangular coordinates; mathematical classifications or schemes.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS:

Requires reading professional literature and technical manuals; speaking to groups of employees, other public and private groups; writing policies and complex reports.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Requires using advanced professional-level work methods and practices in the analysis, coordination or interpretation of work of a professional, fiscal or managerial nature and the ability for formulate important recommendations or make technical decisions that have an organization-wide impact.  Requires sustained, intense concentration for accurate results and continuous exposure to sustained, unusual pressure.

VOCATIONAL/EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE PREPARATION

VOCATIONAL/EDUCATIONAL PREPARATION:

A Bachelor’s degree in land use planning, urban planning, landscape architecture, engineering or a closely related field is desirable;

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:

Must possess a valid state driver’s license.

Membership in the American Institute of Certified Planners is preferred.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Requires nine years of progressively responsible experience, with at least two years in a supervisory capacity.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT REQUIREMENTS

PHYSICAL AND DEXTERITY REQUIREMENTS:

Requires light work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 20 pounds of force on a recurring basis, or skill, adeptness and speed in the use of fingers, hands or limbs on repetitive operation of mechanical or electronic office or shop machines or tools within moderate tolerances or limits of accuracy.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS:

The job may risk exposure to bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, extreme noise levels, animals/wildlife, traffic, moving machinery, electrical shock, heights, etc., during field inspections.

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

The job requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, hearing and speaking abilities, depth perception, texture perception and color perception.

JUDGMENTS AND DECISIONS

JUDGMENTS AND DECISIONS:

Decision-making is a significant part of the job, affecting a large segment of the organization and the general public; works in a dynamic environment; responsible to assist in developing policy and practices.

ADA COMPLIANCE

Richland County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.  Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.