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Assistant Director - Development Services

icon building Company : City Of Belen
icon briefcase Job Type : Full Time
icon geo-alt Belen, Nm

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Job Description - Assistant Director - Development Services


___________________________

JOB DESCRIPTION

Assistant Director- Development Services

FULL-TIME Non-exempt

Starting annual salary $58,000

Deadline for applications: Monday February 23, 2026 No later than 5:00PM MTD
  ____________________________

GENERAL PURPOSE:
Performs a variety of professional, administrative, technical and supervisory duties related to organizing, directing and coordinating the planning and zoning functions of City of Belen. Assists the Development Services Director in his/her official capacity as administrator of land use, long range planning, flood plain development and building location permit ordinances. Work involves a wide variety of situations wherein the Assistant Director typically determines his/her own practices and procedures, based upon City laws and department policy. Assists the director in developing policies and objectives for the planning function. Involving a high degree of complexity, Assistant Director is typically required to solve advanced problems using principles of logic and application of planning and land use laws. Communicates heavily with others both inside the organization, including staff, Planning Commissioners, Councilors and other City employees, as well as those outside of the organization, including those using the City’s planning services, members of the public, and other government agencies. Work involves high degree of responsibility as Assistant Director works independently under the general direction of the Development Services Director. Work has significant impact on the operations of the department and may affect decisions resulting in potential litigation by landowners and applicants. Work is typically performed in an office environment with frequent travel throughout the city to conduct planning-related research, presentations, training or related activities. Typically involves stress related to the nature of the work, deadlines, and potential for conflict.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following duties and responsibilities, which are not listed in any particular order of priority and may be amended or added to by the city at any time:
  • Coordinates and facilitates department functions, including public hearings, workshops, public meetings, etc. Informs the public through media, reports, public meetings and presentations.
  • Administers land use code as incumbent interprets and applies federal, state and local codes as they relate to land use. Provides the public with appropriate information to make decisions with accurate information.
  • Reviews land use projects and prepares written reports which provide an analysis of a variety of land use applications for decision makers. Presents oral reports to decision makers. Reviews, prepares and/or presents final plats, resolutions and ordinances to the City Planning and Zoning Commission and Councilors for action.
  • Demonstrates leadership capabilities by assisting the Development Services Director in establishing policies and objectives for the Planning Department and its staff. Assists the Development Services Director in making administrative decisions under guidelines established by office policies, ordinances and the as per the Development Services Director.
  • Serves as spokesperson and representative for the Planning Department in community affairs and with the public, as requested by the Development Services Director.
  • Prioritizes planning projects and assigns staff to projects under the guidance of the Development Services Director.
  • Advises applicants regarding development proposals, demonstrating problem solving and independent decision-making.
  • Initiates and drafts ordinance and comprehensive plan revisions under the general guidance of the Development Services Director. Informs the public about pending code and plan changes by preparing legal notices, public service announcements and press releases.
  • Reviews and edits long-range planning work performed by staff and consultants.
  • Oversees the maintenance of the department’s database and record keeping system.
  • Assists the Development Services Director in training, advising and acting as a liaison between the City Councilors and the Planning & Zoning Commission as requested by the Director. Provides technical insight and recommendations related to determining planning, zoning, building location permits and flood plain development ordinances, and comprehensive plan policies, goals and objectives.
  • Assists Development Services Director in overseeing all land-use related code administration throughout the City. Provides implementation of City ordinances for planning and zoning applications, building location permits, and flood plain development
  • Assists Development Services Director in coordinating with contract professionals for review of zoning and subdivision plans submitted to the City for review. Ensures subdivision specifications for drainage, parking, roadways, sewer and water conform to City standards.
  • Assists Development Services Director in developing, organizing, and facilitating on-going comprehensive planning processes and procedures.
  • Develops and regulates department policies, guidelines, and deadlines, with oversight from the Development Services Director. Assists the Director with studies, ordinances amendments, flood plain development and building location permits processing.
  • Assists Development Services Director in various personnel actions such as recruitment, advancement, discipline and discharge. Assists Director in regular employee performance evaluations for personnel.
  • Coordinates projects and works closely with City departments and other governmental agencies.
  • Conducts regular field reviews and site inspections to confirm compliance with local ordinance and land use application requirements.
  • Other duties as assigned.
NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
  • Serves in the capacity of Development Services Director in his/her absence.
  • Participates in the budget process as requested by the Director
  • Assists the Development Services Director in projecting costs and expenditures for the fiscal year.
  • Performs all other duties as assigned by the Development Services Director.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
  • Considerable knowledge of principles of rural or regional land use planning and the relationship between factors affecting rural planning policy, such as natural resource, economic, political, sociological and legal principles.
  • Working knowledge of engineering principles as they relate to land use planning, and surveying methods and practices as they relate to land use planning and development design.
  • Considerable knowledge of mapping, site plan and blueprint reading.
  • Knowledge of public relations and interrelations of other City, state and federal agencies.
  • Knowledge of and ability to apply principles of financial management and budgeting.
  • Working knowledge of federal, state and local laws and principles of land use planning and zoning.
  • Knowledge of and ability to apply sound principles of personnel management.
  • Must possess good organizational skills as needed in the multi-tasking responsibilities of this position.
  • Basic understanding of general office skills and protocol as needed to develop required reports and documentation. Knowledge of and ability to use spread sheet and database computer applications, with familiarity with Design Cad and ArcGIS preferred.
  • Knowledge of research and statistical analysis methodologies and ability to evaluate and apply research data in the planning process.
  • Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with federal, state and local agencies related to land use and planning.
  • Ability to use discretion in the handling of confidential matters and material that may have a distinct impact on members of the public involved in planning proceedings.
  • Ability to work with math concepts used in land planning such as probability, statistics and geometry and applying ratios to practical situations.
  • Ability to read and interpret technical journals, respond to public inquiries and complaints, and present information to department heads and elected officials when requested by the director. Must possess technical writing skills as they pertain to land use planning policy.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to make presentations in both large and small groups at various levels of education and understanding.
  • Ability to develop and maintain harmonious working relationships with others, both inside and outside the organization.
QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor’s degree in rural land use planning, regional planning or related or equivalent required.
  • Five years of progressively responsible experience in the field of current and advanced land use planning at a public agency or equivalent.
  • Any combination equivalent to education and experience that provides the required knowledge.
  • Two years of supervisory experience preferred.
  • Possess a valid New Mexico drivers license.
  • Ability to pass pre-employment drug test and background check.

EQUIPMENT USED
Knowledge to include use of common office equipment, such as typewriter, computer, calculator, copier, fax, phone, city vehicles, postage machine and fax. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an enployee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to drive, walk, sit and talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to use hands or fingers, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to push, pull, stoop, kneel, or crouch.  Position requires frequent sitting directed vision at computer screen.

The employee must occasionally lift up to 20 pounds and move up to 20 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position is performed primarily in an indoor office or facility setting with regular use of standard equipment such as computers, phones, and other office technology. The role may also require occasional fieldwork, including site visits, inspections, or outdoor tasks in varying weather conditions. Employees should be able to adapt to both office and field environments and may be exposed to moderate noise levels, uneven terrain, and other typical fieldwork conditions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee works inside building conditions. 
The noise level in the work environment is normally quiet to moderate pitch.

**This position has been classified as a safety sensitive position and is subject to our drug testing policy to include pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion and post-accident for the following prohibited substances: marijuana, amphetamines, opioids, phencyclidine (PCP), and cocaine, as well as any drug not approved for medical use by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.**

DISCLAIMER:  The above information is intended to describe the general nature of this position and is not to be considered a complete statement of duties, responsibilities, requirements or knowledge, skills and abilities.


 
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