Development Services Director at City of Denton – Denton, Texas

Responsible for providing leadership and management guidance while supporting the activities of the Planning and Development department, including Real Estate, Engineering, and Transportation divisions.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
DUTIES

• Develop and recommend strategic planning objectives for the organization and City of Denton.
• Develop short and long-range planning programs for the department and establish broad priorities and work sequences.
• Provide overall guidance and direction for the development review process involving zoning, annexation, subdivision, and other land use requests.
• Oversee the Municipal Utility Districts and Municipal Management Districts contracts; act as the City’s liaison in negotiations.
• Coordinate with other city departments to incorporate joint work efforts; build relationships that facilitate implementation of shared plans and desired outcomes.
• Train and mentor employees in technical, management, and leadership responsibilities.
• Understand, demonstrate, and clearly articulate the mission of the City of Denton and Planning and Development department.
• Understand customer base and seeks to meet the needs of community.
• Identify, analyze, and solve problems in support of group, department, and organization objectives; consider cause and effect among different factors or stakeholders of a problem.
• Enable and empower employees to work more effectively.
• Seek opportunities for training and increasing knowledge in planning and development management.
• Act as department representative to various community citizen advisory boards and to the City Council; present results of studies and recommendations regarding development, land use, comprehensive planning, transportation planning, and other issues.
• Develop departmental priorities and objectives; act on recommendations from subordinate divisions.
• Authorize departmental expenditures.
• Analyze financial reports and report trends and issues.
• Direct and manage numerous special studies including neighborhood preservation projects and various housing studies.
• Generate administrative reports.
• Initiate and make policy recommendations; facilitate problem-solving.
• Present recommendations and supporting conclusions with facts in order to influence the listener.
• Share information and ideas with others in a timely manner.
• Work toward common goals by supporting, encouraging, and sharing information with supervisor, peers, and subordinates.
• Actively support decisions he/she is involved in making, even when he/she may not fully agree.
• Build trust by being honest and meeting commitments.
• Understand and implement problem solving and conflict management techniques.
• Understand and implement team building techniques.

SUPERVISORY/BUDGET RESPONSIBILITIES

• Select, train, supervise, and evaluate staff; recommend assignment/assignment change, retention, discipline, and dismissal.
• Develop, manage, and monitor budget; maintain accurate budget reporting; ensure that operations are cost-effective, and funds are managed wisely.

OTHER DUTIES:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Landscape Architecture, Geography, or related; and,
• Ten (10) years’ experience in municipal planning; and,
• Five (5) years’ experience in a management or supervisory capacity.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES
An individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The list below represents the knowledge, skill, and/or ability to perform this job successfully:

• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, and coordination of people and resources.

• Skill in complex problem solving; identifying problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

• Skill at the intermediate level, working with applicable Microsoft Office 365 products, and other software systems to complete work.
• Skill in developing and executing contract agreements through strong negotiation, analytical, and communication abilities.
• Ability to develop the political acumen necessary to navigate the annual election season.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in oral and written forms, for the needs of the audience.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships.
• Ability to handle records and complex situations of a confidential nature.
• Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure and confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and/or with team environment while handling multiple tasks and changing priorities with attention to detail.
• Ability to support controversial positions, negotiation of sensitive issues and/or presentations with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to motivate, mentor, and train through direct and indirect influence to promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to develop, understand, interpret, and apply rules, policies, and procedures operations.
• Ability to prepare budget documentation and to monitor expenditures to implement fiscal control and maintain budget compliance.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must have and maintain a valid Class “C” Driver’s License and valid state required minimum automobile liability insurance prior to employment (must obtain Texas Class “C” driver’s license and state required minimum automobile liability insurance within 90 days of hire per state law).
• Must pass a drug test, driver’s license check, criminal history background check, employment history verification, and social security number verification.

SAFETY

• Ensure equipment is in safe operating condition; perform preventive maintenance on tools and equipment, as appropriate and/or notify leadership immediately of needed repairs.
• Follow established safety procedures and techniques to perform job duties, including lifting and climbing; operate tools and equipment according to established safety procedures.
• Promptly report unsafe conditions in the work area and/or any conditions that are not immediately correctable to leadership.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Safety Sensitive (Subject to random drug testing): No.
• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment, including computer and peripherals.
• Posture: Prolonged sitting and standing; occasional stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending, pushing/pulling, and twisting.
• Motion: Frequent repetitive hand motions, including keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching.
• Lifting: Lifting and carrying no more than 10 pounds.
• Environment: Works in an office; occasionally requires irregular and/or prolonged hours.
• Travel: Travel to City of Denton buildings and professional meetings as required.
• Attendance: Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required for this position. Must attend regularly scheduled and special meetings.
• Mental Demands: Maintains emotional control under stress; works with frequent interruptions.

CORE VALUES

• Inclusive
• Collaborative
• Service-Oriented
• Strategically Focused
• Fiscally Responsible

TOP TIER BENEFITS

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage in addition to life and disability insurance plans
• Employee Health Clinic
• Paid Vacation Days and Paid Holidays
• Retirement Plan

EEO STATEMENT
The City of Denton is an equal opportunity employer. It is the City of Denton’s policy to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any protected class, status, characteristic, or activity. All employment decisions, including decisions regarding recruitment, selection, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, advancement, discipline, discharge, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment are made without regard to any lawfully protected class, status, characteristic, or activity.

ADA/EOE/ADEA

This job description is not an employment agreement, contract agreement, or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.