Planning and Building Director - Franklin County, Washington

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SUMMARY

The Director of Planning and Building creates short and long-term strategic direction and develops and implements policies, procedures, programs, and related technology and support systems to achieve related goals and objectives for the Planning and Building Department.

The Director directs, evaluates, and continuously improves the operations of the department and oversees Planning and Building employees and the development, modification, and implementation of Planning and Building functions including the Growth Management Act, Zoning, Subdivisions, Economic Development, Shoreline Management, Critical Areas, Comprehensive Plan, Building Code, Open Space, Fire Code, Flood Damage Prevention, and Business Registration according to current department and County practices in order to assure quality in the construction and land development process.

The Director is the designated State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Official and responsible for conducting an environmental review for a proposal and documenting that review in the appropriate SEPA documents.

The Director provides oversight, direction, and staffing for the County Planning Commission and facilitates, receives input, and presents at regular meetings or public hearings involving the Planning Commission.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB

- Produces, monitors, and updates an accurate, efficient, and consistent inspection schedule and sets up permit tracking and screening.

- Provides oversight, direction, and assigns staff regarding the activities for the Code Enforcement program.

- Plans, organizes, and directs work assignments and schedules, evaluates progress, and shifts priorities for the programs, plans, requirements, and administration of services for the department in accordance with related codes, ordinances, regulations, laws, and County guidelines, ensuring work is completed in a safe, efficient, and timely manner.

- Updates, manages and implements the County’s Comprehensive Plan by coordinating with all departments within the County to ensure all aspects are covered, including but not limited to Land Use, Transportation Planning, Capital Improvement plan, Economics and Historical, Cultural and Natural Resources.

- Develops, administers, and monitors an accurate, realistic, and fiscally sound department budget and fiscal operations, including payroll, of the department. Approves, monitors and manages expenditures, revenues, and costs in a timely manner, ensuring compliance with approved budget and in accordance with department goals, objectives, and County standard practices.

- Leads the staff selection process activities and provides or coordinates department new employee orientation, including County and department policies and/or employee handbooks, and initial position training.

- Evaluates employee performance and provides consistent and timely performance feedback and coaching of direct reports. Provides support, identifies and coordinates training or development activities as needed to enhance employee’s effectiveness, and manages performance issues up to and including administering discipline and termination. Supports supervisors in their role of managing employee performance.

- Pursues self-development and continuing personal development of skills and knowledge by attending ongoing educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, and establishing personal networks.

- Plans, organizes, directs, and communicates the development, implementation, and progress of the Planning and Building Department goals, objectives, budget, policies, procedures, priorities, safety requirements, and performance standards to ensure the efficient and effective operations in compliance with County standards.

- Communicates information and recommendations regarding the Planning and Building Department services in Franklin County Board of Commissioners meetings and meetings with individuals, other directors, elected officials, and/or the general public according to current department and County practices.

- Oversees the creation, development, and maintenance of systems and records including files, lists, logs, and other recordkeeping systems utilizing computerized and manual systems that provide for proper evaluation, control, and documentation of assigned operations according to current department and County practices. Ensures records are accurate and available for annual audit.

- Monitors, reports, interprets, communicates, and implements changes to policies, procedures, or programs due to new trends, innovations, federal, state and local rules, laws, regulations, legislation, codes, and ordinances as they relate to the Planning and Building Department operations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

- Expert knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques and related tools, equipment, and technology as they relate to area(s) of assignment.

- Expert knowledge of modern principles, methods, and practices in planning and building and parliamentary procedures.

- Expert knowledge of Franklin County business and financial acumen and the application and interpretation of Franklin County policies and procedures and federal, state, and local rules, laws, regulations, legislation, codes, and ordinances as they relate to area(s) of assignment.

- Expert knowledge of principles and practices of management as applied to supervision, training, performance evaluations, program planning, staffing, budgeting, coordination, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, operational needs, and staff development.

- Expert knowledge of principles and practices of governmental fiscal management including budget preparation, expenditure control, and sound recordkeeping.

- Expert project management skills including creating scope and sequence, communication, leadership (providing direction, vision, coaching team, sound judgment, issue and conflict resolution, effective decision making), negotiation, team building, use of project management tools and techniques, organizational savvy, personal organization, risk management, and breadth in specific application or industry knowledge.

- Proficient troubleshooting skills to resolve issues or problems by analyzing trends and problems, identifying alternative solutions, interpreting compliance documentation, projecting consequences of proposed actions, and communicating and/or implementing recommendations in support of goals and maintaining compliance.

- Proficient time management and mental and physical organizational skills that support the ability to focus, have clarity, and use strategy to fulfill a variety of tasks successfully.

- Proficient computer skills in Word, Excel, Outlook, and the internet for research. The ability to learn and develop proficient skills in the current County-wide resource planning and advanced skills in permit, building review, and structural software.

- Ability to exercise a high degree of independent judgment and discretion and maintain the confidentiality of sensitive and confidential information.

- Ability to write and speak clearly and concisely and to express ideas and recommendations effectively orally and in writing.

- Ability and willingness to establish and maintain communication and working relationships with peers, representatives from other agencies, vendors, public officials, and the general public using courtesy, tact, and good judgment.

- Ability to lead the department by remaining open to new ideas and approaches, managing change, solving problems and making decisions, managing politics and influencing others, taking risks, and innovating, setting vision and strategy, managing the work, demonstrating commitment to staff development, communicating information and expectations often and openly, enhancing business skills and knowledge, understanding and navigating the organization, and creating a feeling of succeeding and failing together.

- Ability to effectively present information, findings, proposals, training, or other information to a variety of audiences by clearly articulating, engaging the audience, assessing the needs of the audience, and using appropriate materials to help audience understand the message.

- Ability to identify and take advantage of opportunities, organize and prioritize several ongoing and frequently changing assignments to meet deadlines, and communicate changes and progress to staff.

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.

Work may be performed in the following environmental conditions:

- constantly: in an office environment, and

- occasionally: wet, humid conditions (non-weather), fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, outdoor weather conditions, extreme cold or heat (non-weather), risk of electrical shock, dirt, dust, and shavings.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate, a typical office environment and occasionally loud when on active construction project sites.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

- Required to be on call and able to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed to attend meetings, complete work, or respond to emergencies.

- Required to travel frequently within the County for meetings and field work and occasionally in the state for affiliate or associate meetings or training and conferences which may require an overnight stay.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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

The person in this position must be able to spend the following amount of time in an activity:

- constantly: talk or hear, sit for extended periods of time, and use hands, fingers to handle or feel, or operate equipment or tools, and

- frequently: stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms, and

- occasionally: climb, pull, push or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

- frequently carry or transport up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds.

- have the following vision abilities: depth perception, peripheral vision, ability to adjust focus, and have close and distance vision (from one inch to 20 feet or more).

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

- Bachelor’s degree in Urban or Regional Planning or a closely related field, and

- Five years of progressively responsible planning and building related experience, and

- Two years of management responsibility,

OR

- Any combination of education and experience which would provide the applicant with the desired knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

- Master’s degree in Urban or Regional Planning or closely related field.

- Building industry experience.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

- Employment at Franklin County is contingent upon the results of a background check and eligibility for coverage by the County’s liability insurance carrier. Depending upon the position, background checks may include personal and professional references, social security verification, education and professional licensing verification, financial history, and criminal history.

- Valid driver’s license if driving a vehicle for County business.

OTHER DUTIES DISCLAIMER

The statements herein describe the principal functions of this job, level of knowledge and skills typically required, scope of responsibility, work requirements and working conditions, but are not all-inclusive. Individuals may perform other duties and Franklin County, Washington reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties, and assign other duties as necessary, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or to otherwise balance the workload.