Erie County Seeking a Deputy Director

About the role

This is a management-level professional position responsible for assisting the Director with coordination, administration, and ensuring the execution of all planning program activities. The Deputy Director coordinates and performs activities with local, state, and federal agencies in accordance with each planning program area. This role also oversees municipal planning, land use, and zoning ordinance development for Erie County and its municipalities. The position requires a responsible, mature professional capable of working independently and supervising staff on various projects as needed.

Supervision is received from the Director, with work subject to final review for completeness, quality, and adherence to established standards. Additional tasks may be assigned as needed.

Responsibilities

• Interprets and applies applicable state, county, and local codes, ordinances, and regulations, including compliance measures.
• Assists with updating and maintaining the County Comprehensive Plan and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
• Coordinates, develops, and maintains Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code-required portions of the County plan; supports integration of community, transportation, and environmental planning needs into the county plan.
• Conducts extensive research in specific or general program areas.
• Writes and presents formal and technical reports and plans.
• Identifies community problems, issues, and opportunities that could be mitigated through better community planning.
• Develops long-range comprehensive plans for communities.
• Develops strategies to promote economic and community development or efficient land use consistent with community goals.
• Evaluates adequacy of community facilities to meet current and projected needs.
• Locates, applies for, and oversees grant processes; provides administrative and technical support to the department.
• Assists the Director with administering planning programs as needed.
• Assumes duties and authority of the Planning Director in their absence.
• Writes and helps implement departmental and county policies and procedures in coordination with the Planning Director.
• Assists with planning program specialties to facilitate planning functions.
• Recommends priorities, schedules, and funding sources to implement public improvements.
• Writes or assists in writing ordinances and regulations relating to development controls.
• Attends a substantial number of evening and weekend meetings.
• Manages personnel, including mentoring and coaching direct reports, supporting an environment of learning and innovation, delegating tasks, and providing daily direction.

The above statements reflect the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job and shall not be considered a detailed description of all work requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of professional planning experience in local, county, or regional planning.
• Minimum of 1 year of management, leadership, or related experience (or equivalent education).
• Valid Driver’s License.

Skills

• Ability to work independently, exhibit flexibility, and effectively collaborate with government officials, agencies, private foundations, staff, and the public.
• Well-developed knowledge of planning principles and practices.
• General knowledge of planning specialties (e.g., land use planning/zoning, transportation planning, environmental planning, urban design, housing, historic preservation, or economic development).
• Knowledge of research and data collection principles, methodology, and practices.
• Knowledge of effective writing techniques.
• Knowledge of or experience in community redevelopment and relevant Federal programs.
• Proficiency in computer programs and applications, including Microsoft Office and Internet applications.
• Familiarity with GIS capability and applicability.
• Oral communication and interpersonal skills to present research findings to municipal boards and planning commissions.
• Creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information for less well-defined practical problems.
• Ability to review plans and apply provisions of ordinances and codes to determine compliance and apply regulations to field conditions.
• Group facilitation skills for community workshops.
• Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment as needed.
• Ability to attend to details while keeping big-picture goals in mind.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to facilitate in-person and virtual public participation activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• AICP certification.
• 2 years of leadership/management experience.
• Thorough knowledge of urban planning, development, and local government policies and procedures.