Director of Planning & Zoning

Job Summary:

The Director of Columbia County Planning and Zoning Department shall direct, plan and supervise the Department. This position is responsible for the administration of county planning, land use, zoning, sub-division, flood plain, sanitary, wetland, code enforcement, fire numbers, and the supporting the Board of Adjustment. As department head, the Director is in charge of all work programs, budget, personnel and administration functions of the office. The Director’s position reports directly to the County’s Planning and Zoning Committee

Duties:

• Prepare and administers the department’s annual operating and capital outlay budgets.
• Supervises all department staff, either directly or indirectly through senior staff.
• Responsible for design, implementations and evaluation of comprehensive plan as required by the State of Wisconsin legislation.
• Evaluates planning and zoning related legislation applicable to the department and the County and reports relevant information to the Planning and Zoning Committee.
• Prepares or reviews all department reports and presentations for Planning and Zoning Committee, Board of Adjustment, County Board and other internal and external agencies.
• Reports on department activities, condition of the department and about any trends or emerging issues of significance to the department to the Planning and Zoning Committee, County Board Chair and County Board as necessary.
• Provides information to the public and local governments on planning and zoning matters and projects within Columbia County.
• Represents the department on other committees in the County when necessary and attends substantial number of evening and weekend meetings.
• Oversees the recruitment, employment, evaluation and release of staff and contract personnel.
• Develops department wide goals, objectives, policies and procedures.
• Responsible for development and maintenance of the department’s Geographic Information System (GIS), Planning and Zoning databases and other digital files.

Qualifications:

Education

• Masters Degree in urban or regional planning, public administration or related fields and shall have a minimum of five (5) years experience at the level of director, senior or principal planner or zoning administrator: or,
• Bachelor’s Degree in urban or regional planning, public administration or related field with a minimum of eight (8) years of professional planning and zoning experience in a public planning and zoning agency.

Knowledge 

• Considerable knowledge of theories, principles and practices of planning and zoning and public administration.
• Considerable knowledge of state and local laws and processes, and ordinances and codes pertaining to planning and zoning.
• Substantial knowledge of principles of personnel management, including supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Understanding of environmental matters such as geology, water and soils, pollution factors, holding capacity of the natural environment and biological elements in the environment.
• Knowledge of computer applications including Microsoft Office, Internet applications, GIS and their application to planning, zoning and development issues.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques of research and analysis and principals of budgeting and finance.
• Knowledge of basic governmental administrative techniques.

Abilities and Experience

• Effective and persuasive leadership comfortable with all levels of government, staff, the general public and others.
• Proven management and supervision skills and ability to manage day-to-day operations.
• Strong written and oral communications skills, including the editing, oversight or preparation of technical reports, and the presentation of information to government entities and various committees.
• Strong interpersonal and public relations skill to work effectively with various officials, county department heads, staff, citizens and other customers.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and negotiations skills.
• Ability to understand and mange high-profile, sensitive or controversial political situations.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement and independent judgement within general policy guidelines.
• Ability to write and assemble grant applications in the most effective working format to assure positive funding decisions.
• Positive approach to problem solving with disposition to consider alternatives.

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