Deputy Development Services Director - Merced, United States - City of Merced (CA)

Description

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class.

Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.


SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under administrative direction of the Director of Development Services, oversee, direct, plan, and manage the activities and operations of the Development Services Department including Planning, Inspection Services and housing programs, services, and activities; represent the City Council policies and programs; coordinate assigned activities with other departments and other agencies; provide highly responsible and complex administrative support for the City Manager; and do related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is a single-position management classification and represents the Director in delegated areas in their absence.

The incumbent is accountable for assisting in formulating policy, developing goals and objectives, supervising staff, administering the budget, and directing day-to-day operations of assigned divisions comprising the Development Services Department.

Assignments allow for a high degree of administrative discretion in their execution and work standards in addition to furthering City goals and objectives.

Reports to

Director of Development Services or designee.

Classifications supervised

Staff assigned to the Development Services Department.


REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
The following duties are typical for this classification.

Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Manage and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; recommend, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.
• Manage consultant contracts for planning projects, including managing the consultant budget, authorizing payments, reviewing consultant work, and coordinating with other departments on the projects.
• Manage the development, maintenance, and enforcement of the City's General Plan, zoning, subdivision, and environmental ordinances.
• Coordinate the development and adoption of codes and ordinances, as well as revisions to existing codes and ordinances.
• Direct and participate in the processing of major projects including annexations, general plan amendments, zoning text amendments, re-zonings, specific plans, major subdivisions, and non-residential development projects.
• Assume management responsibility for assigned services and activities of the Planning Division including current and advanced planning functions and programs.
• Serve as Secretary to the Planning Commission and provide professional advice, recommendations and information to this and other advisory groups.
• Manage the day-to-day activities of the Planning Division of the Department of Development Services.
• Serve as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence; and manage assigned committees, including scheduling and chairing the meetings, reviewing and preparing agendas, reports, minutes, and public hearing notices, and assigning work.
• Act as project planner on the most complex land use planning projects.
• Serve as the liaison for the Planning Division with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; meet with developers, engineers, architects, property owners, public agencies, the general public and other project proponents to explain City policies, design issues, and City standards relating to new project development; and negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
• Prepare staff reports and other appropriate analysis to the Planning Commission and City Council on planning, zoning, and subdivision issues. Prepare complex reports, surveys, studies, resolutions, ordinances and exhibits.
• Oversee the state-mandated environmental review duties of the division, including preparation of the core complex California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents.
• Manage division activity and the coordination of workload for all division responsibilities related to public assistance, ministerial permits, and land use entitlements.
• Serve as technical advisor to the City Council, City Manager, Department Manager and Planning Commission on a broad range of planning projects and issues; prepare and submit reports and recommendations for management consideration.
• Provide responsible staff assistance to the Director of Development Services; direct and conduct a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; and recommend modifications to Development Services and planning programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Oversees and monitor projects through all phases and assures compliance with regulations of various local, state, and federal agencies.
• Develop and monitor compliance with divisional policies and procedures.
• Consult and coordinate with City departments, citizens and officials regarding conflicts and issues related to contract and regulatory compliance.
• Prepare multiple specialized budgets related to assigned activities; oversees budget implementation; determine budget forecasts; administer the approved budget.
• Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the department's annual budget; participate in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitor and approve expenditures; and implement adjustments.
• Prepare and administer the City's Public Facilities Impact fees and City Planning Application fees, including preparing the Public Facilities Financing Plan and base Planning fees, preparing the annual updates of fees, and making determinations of which fees to charge.
• Make presentations before various groups, including City Council, commissions, boards, committees, task forces, and on and off-site public meetings, as needed.
• Supervise staff including provision of timely performance evaluations; recommends and implements approved discipline; provides staff development; and maintain high standards necessary for efficient, professional operations.
• Plan, direct, coordinate, and review the work plan for planning staff; assign work activities, projects, and programs; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures; and meet with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Manage the activities of consultants, including selection, evaluation, and contract administration.
• Answer questions; provide information to the public, other City departments, and other agencies; recommend and coordinate corrective actions; investigate, report, document and resolve complaints.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Build and maintains respectful, positive working relationships with staff, supervisors, outside agencies and the public using principles of good customer service; provide effective conflict resolution, as needed.
• Model appropriate professional management conduct; maintain appropriate confidentiality of sensitive information; comply with and support City policies and procedures, labor laws, and MOU provisions.
• Attend assigned meetings and training; interact with outside agencies and commissions; consortium, participate in teams, or committees, as needed.
• Assure staff works in a safe manner; follow safety requirements; monitor and assure compliance with regulations and other legal requirements.
• Perform related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:
Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a Development Services

Department.

Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations including laws underlying general plans, zoning, land divisions, and applicable environmental laws and regulations.

Principles and practices of land use planning and their application to a variety of planning problems.

Principles and practices of program development and administration.

Principles of project planning, development, coordination, and direction.

Citizen involvement processes, team building processes, and other processes that insure the inclusion of a diversity of people, neighborhoods, staff, and Commissioners/Council.

Purposes and procedures of public planning agencies, boards, and governing

bodies.

Statistical methods and research techniques applicable to the preparation of municipal planning studies.

Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation, administration, and control.

Contract and grant development and administration.

Technical, legal, financial, and public relations problems involved in the operations of a Development Services Department.

Principles and practices of supervision, staff selection, training, personnel management, and performance evaluation.

Principles of effective file management and time management

Safe work practices and related regulations.

Principles of public speaking, conflict resolution, and excellent customer service.

Provisions, principles, and practices of municipal structure and organization


Ability to:
Oversee and participate in the management of a comprehensive planning program including current and advanced planning activities and projects.

Effectively represent the Planning Department in responding to inquiries, providing assistance, and dealing with public and community organization concerns about the General Plan, community planning, land use, and zoning.

Read, interpret, analyze, apply, implement, and explain pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, departmental policies, general plan elements, environmental impact statements, maps, and other documents related to community planning and land use.

Deal with difficult and complex issues and resolve conflicts.

Perform the most complex professional planning studies and environmental reviews.

Develop program services that benefit the community; analyze policy issues and develop sound recommendations.

Understand City processes and procedures and specific requirements of assigned

program area.

Work with and control sensitive and confidential information.

Plan, initiate, manage and complete complex and multiple simultaneous work assignments with a minimum of direction; set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines.

Organize and prioritize timelines and project schedules in an effective and timely

manner.

Lead, manage, evaluate, and train personnel effectively and maintain discipline.

Organize, implement, and supervise departmental goals and City objectives.

Review and proofread the work of others and provide productive suggestions for improvement of said work.

Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

Prepare, forecast, and administer a budget.

Establish and maintain respectful, effective, and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Communicate effectively, orally, electronically, public presentations, and in writing.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:


Education/Training:

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with significant course work in the areas of Planning, Urban Studies, Geography, Public Administration, or related fields.

A Master's degree or possession or an A.I.C.P. certificate is desirable


Experience:

Six years of increasingly responsible professional experience with a public agency in planning, public administration, or a related field, which includes three years of planning or development services administrative and supervisory responsibility.

License or Certificate:
Possession of an appropriate California Driver License.


PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein 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 these essential job functions.

Environment:

Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with some travel to different sites; incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends and may be required to travel outside City boundaries to attend meetings.

Physical:

Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including the use of a computer keyboard; to travel to other locations using various modes of private and commercial transportation; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.