Community Development Director

Manage the community planning & development functions. Work Involves application of specialized knowledge & skills in planning the community’s development to include: comprehensive land use plan, inspection activities, code & ordinance enforcement, Individual Is accountable for results. Must interpret and enforce all building, zoning, sign, & other related ordinances & codes which impact the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens.

Work emphasis is on administration and management of City’s comprehensive plan and redevelopment plan, including enforcement and periodic review. Responsible for keeping citizens, Board of Aldermen, professional builders & Planning Commission adequately informed on building and zoning code & ordinance issues. Supervise technical & clerical personnel.

May handle a wide variety of situations & conflicts. Work involves making independent decisions within the framework of established procedures and guidelines. Decision-making opportunities increase proportionately with proven abilities. 

      EXAMPLES OF WORK

Examples of work performed in this classification include, but are not limited to, the following tasks. These tasks may be amended or other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

• Ensure timely preparation of complete and accurate staff reports for presentation to the Mayor, commissions and the Board of Aldermen; perform research and analysis for presentations involving community/planning issues;
• Effectively manage the City’s land disturbance and erosion control ordinance;
• Effectively manages the City’s Community Development Department;
• Interpret and enforce all City building, zoning, sign, & other related ordinances, codes, and standards, in compliance with State codes and regulations;
• Makes sound, positive decisions and actions which impact the public health, safety, & welfare of the citizens. Examples: residential, commercial, land disturbance, ROW permits, dumpsters, building demolition, storm water retention;
• Effectively manage the City’s new development (commercial & residential) permit process;
• Direct City’s New Development (commercial & residential) Site Plan Review Committee.
• Approve the preliminary plat plan submitted by developer once the Site Plan Review Committee & developer have achieved resolution for commercial developments;
• Submit developer’s preliminary application with letter of intent to Board of Aldermen for approval;
• Work with the Site Plan Review Committee in the inspection of the developer’s construction plans. Ensure that construction plans meet all building code requirements. Issue permits;
• Document approval of construction plans: response required within 15 days of receipt of plans;
• Maintain subdivision plat and lot assignment data and coordinate with Rankin County  E911 to issue addresses;
• Issue  Certificate of Occupancy;
• Direct,  coordinate and oversee department’s inspection process to assure adherence to all related codes, ordinances, & standards;
• Review unusual problems; interpret codes & ordinances in difficult technical cases;
• Train personnel in inspection techniques, practices, & methods;
• For commercial buildings, conduct site plan review with developers;
• In detail, observe existing conditions; investigate construction site; prepare Inspection Report, listing progress and/or violations to be corrected before approval;
• Maintain reports on inspections, construction and research materials;
• While issuing commercial permits, interpret & explain zoning, registration, utility hook up, & inspection guidelines;
• Schedule site and building inspections; after final inspection issue Certificate of Occupancy for commercial permits;
• Interpret and enforce commercial and residential building codes, zoning regulations,      and ordinances firmly, tactfully & impartially;
• Handles difficult complaints about codes, ordinances, etc.;
• Interpret and explain codes, ordinances, etc.;
• Confer with architects, building owners, contractors, and engineers concerning questions involving enforcement process;
• Problem-solve complaints and concerns and consistently maintain good public relations with demeanor and tact with architects, engineers, building owners, contractors, Board members, agency officials, utility representatives, & others  concerning the enforcement & administrative process of codes, ordinances, and standards;
• Attend  and participate in scheduled Board of Aldermen Meetings;
• Provide agenda topics as needed on matters related to new development plat      approval, city codes, ordinances, cases of appeal;
• Serve as technical advisor on planning, zoning, code & ordinance issues;
• Explain event & program strategies, personnel issues, operating budget;
• Prepare contractual agreements with consultants; review technical planning reports  & proposed ordinances & regulations;
• Manage process for rezoning requests made by public & City; schedule public hearings and notification;
• Create new zoning districts and maintains City’s zoning map;
• Manage process for variance requests from public & City; schedule public hearings and notification;
• Work with City Attorney on annexation issues;
• Publish  documents legally required in zoning process and completes federal grant applications as required;
• Make recommendations for changes to ordinances & regulations, draft proposed ordinances;
• Compose technical correspondence, reports, ordinances, and other documentation;
• Develop,  recommend, & implement policies and operating procedures;
• Accurately prepare a variety of fiscal and statistical reports;
• Represent City, Planning Commission and Board of Aldermen in public meetings and in conferences with other civic or      community groups;
• Manage City’s comprehensive plan that defines city’s role and plans to best utilize land and infrastructures to support business development, safe residential neighborhoods, and to implement improvements to sustain growth & development;
• Conduct periodic review of City’s redevelopment plan & comprehensive plan;
• Develops and manage all phases of department’s operating budget: and practice fiscal accountability and responsibility;
• Monitors performance accountability of contractors, consultants & vendors;
• Forecast future needs; responsible for accurate expenditures & accounting to include manpower, equipment, supplies and  resources;
• Practice and encourage appropriate safety measures.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• This position requires supervisory ability

INCUMBENT PERFORMS OTHER JOB-RELATED TASKS AS ASSIGNED AND REQUIRED; ANY DUTIES/TASKS INCLUDED IN THE EMPLOYEE'S PERFORMANCE EVALUATION ELEMENTS ARE ESSENTIAL TO THAT EMPLOYEE'S POSITION WITHIN THE JOB CLASSIFICATION.

If a candidate believes he/she is qualified for the job although he/she does not have the minimum qualifications set forth below, he/she may request special consideration through substitution of related education and experience, demonstrating the ability to perform the essential functions of the position. 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Graduation from accredited four-(4) year college/university with major course work in planning, landscape architecture, architecture, engineering, construction management, or closely related field, and five-(5) years of full-time experience in planning, community development, land use, and building safety functions.

OR

High school graduate or equivalent, i.e., GED and seven - (7) years of equivalent work-related experience and training.

I understand that the duties listed above are intended as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed and the omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position.

This Job Description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and I understand that the employee/employer relationship is “at-will.” I also understand that this Job Description is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.