POSITION:  Plan Director

DEPARTMENT:  Planning

WORK SCHEDULE:  8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., M-F

JOB CATEGORY:  EXE (Executive)

STATUS:  Full-time

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the position satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Steuben County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job unless the accommodations would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Plan Director for Steuben County Planning Department, responsible for supervising assigned personnel, administering, regulating, and enforcing zoning and land use ordinances and assisting the public.

DUTIES:

Supervises and directs assigned personnel, including interviewing applicants and making hiring decisions, providing training and orientation, making work assignments, evaluating, providing corrective instruction and terminating as necessary.

Oversees administration of Comprehensive Plan and enforcement of applicable State and local ordinances, including, but not limited to, subdivision control, public environmental nuisances, zoning ordinance – Indiana Planning and Zoning laws, abandoned vehicles, transportation and land development; investigates complaints and takes appropriate action for non-compliance. Oversees implementation of Physical Address Numbering System.

Authorizes issuance of Improvement Location Permits, including reviewing documentation, conducting onsite inspections, and ensuring compliance with applicable ordinances.

Updates and prepares various County plans, codes and supportive data, including Comprehensive Plan, transportation plan, and zoning ordinances.

Cooperates with regulating agencies in administering flood plain management program.

Assists and collaborates with Plan Commission in developing and implementing administrative rules and regulations, and annual goals and objectives of assigned areas. Reviews, evaluates, develops, and revises Department programs, systems, and methods of operation as needed.

Administers Department budget, including authorizing payroll and other expenditures, monitoring account balances, and ensuring cost-effective operations.

Schedules and attends meetings, maintains minutes and records, responds to inquiries and provides technical assistance and materials regarding hearings and decisions of Plan Commission and BZA. Compiles, prepares, publishes, and distributes reports, ordinances and related materials as required.

Represents Plan Commission and BZA on various boards and committees and at various functions, including explaining policies, procedures, objectives and actions on specific cases. Serves as Department liaison and coordinates communication amongst related organization and agencies.

Maintains current knowledge of planning trends and activities in other communities and applicable State and County codes by reading professional publications, reviewing and studying codes, standards, and related revisions, and attending classes, training seminars, and workshops. Disseminates information orally and in writing to construction contractors and the public.

Serves on 24-hour call for emergencies.

Performs related duties as assigned.

I. JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Associates degree or Bachelor’s degree in urban-regional planning, public and environmental affairs, land studies, natural resources and sciences, or related area, and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Possession of or ability to obtain required certification within one (1) year of employment, including American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) as a certified planner under the governing body of the American Planning Association.

Thorough knowledge of and ability to make practical application of Department policies and procedures, and State and County ordinances regarding zoning, subdivision control, drainage and flood control, public environmental nuisances, abandoned vehicles, transportation, and land development.

Thorough knowledge of County topography, roads, wetlands, subdivisions, and drainage.

Thorough knowledge of standard budget process and principles and ability to perform arithmetic calculations to prepare and administer Department budget.

Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare detailed written reports.

Ability to provide public access to, or maintain confidentiality of, Department information and records according to State requirements.

Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, Plan Commission, BZA, various boards, regulating agencies, property owners, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.

Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written and oral instructions and present findings in oral or written form.

Shall comply with employer and Department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Ability to effectively supervise and direct assigned personnel, including interviewing applicants and making hiring decisions, providing training and orientation, making work assignments, evaluating, providing corrective instruction and terminating as necessary.

Ability to oversee administration of Comprehensive Plan and enforcement of applicable State and local ordinances, including, but not limited to, subdivision control, public environmental nuisances, abandoned vehicles, transportation and land development; investigates complaints and takes appropriate action for non-compliance.

Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment, work on several tasks at the same time, and work rapidly for long periods, occasionally under time pressure.

Ability to read and interpret detailed prints, specifications, property legal descriptions, plat maps and aerials, and plan and layout assigned work projects.

Ability to prepare and make public speaking presentations and provide expert testimony in legal proceedings.

Ability to properly operate standard office equipment, including computer, calculator, printer, copier, scanner, microfiche reader, fax machine, drafting tools, and telephone.

Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/hostile persons.

Ability to regularly work extended and evening hours, occasionally work weekends, and occasionally travel out of town for continuing education, sometimes overnight.

Ability to serve on 24-hour call for emergencies.

Possession of a valid driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record.

DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

Incumbent applies knowledge of practical and theoretical principles to various situational demands in order to accomplish Department goals and objectives. Judgement is exercised in planning, administering, and evaluating programs and policies, and in applying regulations, which are often ambiguous, to individual cases and circumstances.

RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent performs duties according to legally defined procedures, State and local laws, standard Department policies and procedures, and standard practices of the profession, discussing with supervisory boards and commissions unusual or unprecedented situations, such as deviations from existing policies. Decisions are reviewed primarily for soundness of judgment, technical accuracy, and compliance with legal requirements. Decisions have considerable impact on developers and petitioners, with errors in decisions possibly resulting in litigation against the County.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, Plan Commission, BZA, various boards, regulating agencies, property owners, and the public, for the purposes of exchanging and explaining information, directing and coordinating Department operations, interpreting and enforcing ordinances, and negotiating and resolving problems.

Incumbent reports directly to County Plan Commission and County Commissioners.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs duties in a standard office environment and outdoors in the field at various project sites, involving exposure to varying weather conditions, driving, sitting/walking at will, sitting/standing/walking for long periods, lifting/carrying objects weighting less than 25 pounds, pushing/pulling, bending, reaching, crouching/kneeling, keyboarding, close/far vision, depth perception, handling/grasping objects, speaking clearly, and hearing sounds/communication. Incumbent serves on 24-hour call for emergencies. Incumbent may be exposed to irate/hostile individuals.

Incumbent is regularly required to work extended and evening hours, occasionally required to work weekends, and occasionally required to travel out of town for continuing education, sometimes overnight.

OTHER:

The Plan Director position is an appointive position of the County Plan Commission and County Commissioners. Specific job duties and job requirements are established at the discretion of the County Plan Commission and County Commissioners. A person appointed to the Plan Director position serves at the pleasure of the County Plan Commission and County Commissioners, works exclusively for the County Plan Commission and County Commissioners, and may be terminated by the County Plan Commission and County Commissioners at any time.