Land Use Planning Manager at City of Suffolk – Suffolk, Virginia

Under limited supervision, performs specialized and professional planning, administration, and research work managing and coordinating the section of the Planning division overseeing the land use applications requiring City Council action. Work involves managing and coordinating all activities of the land use application process (for applications requiring action by the local governing body), including the coordination, review and approval of all rezonings, conditional use permits, street vacations, and ordinance text amendments. Based on the needs of the department, management of the Historic Landmarks Commission applications and Wetlands Board applications may be required, as well as any other duties to accomplish and further the objectives of the Planning Division. Employee must exercise initiative and independent judgment in ensuring compliance with land use ordinances and codes and established City priorities and policies and policy guiding documents to include the adopted Comprehensive Plan. Employee is responsible for managing and supervising departmental employees and reports to the Assistant Director of Planning.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
•Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff; processes employee concerns and problems; directs work; counsels, disciplines, and completes employee performance appraisals.
•Coordinates daily work activities; organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; consults with assigned staff, assists with complex/problem situations, and provides professional and technical expertise.
•Prepares and coordinates the preparation of various reports related to planning and development land use activities for submission to the Planning Commission, City Council, and other elected and appointed officials and City leadership; prepares various reports associated with special projects and studies conducted by the department, as necessary.
•Assists with the preparation and administration of the Planning and Community Development Department's operating and capital improvement plan budgets in regard to needed resources for the land use section of the Planning Division.
•Assists the public and departmental staff with inquiries related to land use applications issues when these applications require a public hearing.
•Interprets and applies City comprehensive plan, ordinances, and other regulations pertaining to planning, zoning, land use, and site development; assists with implementation of zoning/subdivision ordinances; researches code-related issues in code books as needed; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations.
•Collects, analyzes, and maintains statistical data; conducts research of codes, ordinances, zoning maps, planning documents, computer databases, Internet sites, hardcopy materials, or other sources as needed.
•Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, performance appraisals, staff reports, staff review letters, transmittal letters, plans/documents, surety estimates, fee schedules, studies, spreadsheets, or other documents.
•Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, payments, administrative applications, technical study reports, comprehensive plans, zoning maps, survey/engineering drawings, technical reports, codes, ordinances, policies, procedures, manuals, directories, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
•Operates a personal computer, general office equipment, blueprint copier, measuring wheel, soil probe, engineering scale, drafting instruments, or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, e mail, Internet, or other computer programs.
•Coordinates land use activities with other divisions, other departments, state/federal programs, outside agencies, or others as needed.
•Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, City officials, board/commission members, state/federal agencies, land developers, contractors, architects, consultants, attorneys, property owners, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, resolve problems, or give/receive advice/direction.
•Attends various meetings and hearings as needed.
•Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable codes, regulations, and standards; reviews new codes and changes to existing codes; maintains an awareness of new methods, materials, trends and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.
•Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed.
•Performs other advanced planning work as needed.
•Performs other related duties as required.
Bachelor's degree in Urban/Regional Planning, Public Administration, or closely related field; Master's Degree preferred, supplemented by 6 to 9 years previous experience and/or training that includes urban/regional planning, site plan review, and personal computer operations; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) preferred.
•Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the City and of departmental practices as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the position of Land Use Planning Manager.
•Knowledge of the principles, practices, and objectives associated with urban/regional planning.
•Knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in the field of urban planning.
•Knowledge of the environmental and socioeconomic implications of the planning process.
•Knowledge of practices and methods associated with review of site plans, subdivision plats, zoning applications, and related documents for compliance with applicable ordinances.
•Knowledge of the geographic and socio-economic layout of the City.
•Knowledge of governmental programs, laws, grants and services pertinent to the planning process.
•Knowledge of City zoning ordinances and codes, and related land use regulations.
•Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and methods utilized within the department.
•Knowledge and proficiency of computers and software programs typically utilized in the position.
•Knowledge of the principles of supervision, and is able to effectively lead, motivate and evaluate lower-level planning staff.
•Skilled in the collection, analysis and presentation of technical data and planning recommendations.
•Ability to keep abreast of any changes in policy, methods, computer operations, equipment needs, policies, etc., as they pertain to departmental operations and activities.
•Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information.
•Ability to effectively communicate and interact with subordinates, supervisors, members of the general public, and all other groups involved in the activities of the department.
•Ability to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in contact with municipal, State, and Federal officials and with the general public.
•Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
•Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner.
•Ability to use independent judgment and work with little direct supervision as situations warrant.
•Ability to use mathematical formulas to handle required calculations.
•Ability to use manual and automated drafting tools and equipment.
•Ability to read, understand, and interpret maps, blueprints, technical reports, and related materials.
•Ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.
•Ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others in a supervisory capacity.
•Ability to read a variety of informational documentation, maps, site plans, architectural drawings, directions, instructions, methods and procedures.
•Ability to write reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice.
•Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.
•Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, advisory and/or design data and information.
•Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform mathematical operations involving basic algebraic principles and formulas, and basic geometric principles and calculations.
•Ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with job-related equipment.