Director of Planning and Zoning

Salary: $65,000.00 Annually

Location : Wilkes-Barre, PA

Job Type: Full-time

Job Number: 01699

Department: Planning & Zoning

Opening Date: 05/13/2024

Closing Date: 7/2/:59 PM Eastern

Description

The Executive Director of Planning and Zoning will perform the work of planning, directing, coordinating and controlling overall operations of the Planning and Zoning Department to ensure the goals and objectives are accomplished by performing the following duties personally or through subordinate staff and/or supervisors; performs related work as required or assigned by the division head.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Acts as Zoning Officer for 23 Municipalities per Luzerne County Zoning Ordinance to ensure enforcement of codes, ordinances, state and federal
• Serves as Administrator of Luzerne County and Pennsylvania State Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances for 28 Municipalities
• Performs and manages complex and sensitive professional planning projects, research, analysis, and consultants
• Supervises Work on Various State Projects and Programs
• Serves as liaison and performs all necessary functions in support of Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board
• Assigns work to professional staff and ensures appropriate training is provided
• Prepares budget and administration, and monitors and controls expenditures
• Reviews and processes complex comprehensive plan amendments, rezoning, annexations, site plans and plats
• Performs field inspections to gather data relevant to the development review process and/or to verify that development projects comply with approved plans
• Supervises professional Planning and Zoning staff
• Advises various councils, boards, commissions, and officials
• Provides information to the public regarding codes, ordinances, state and federal rules and regulations, policies, and procedures
• Assists in resolving citizen and customer issues
• Analyzes policies and ordinances proposed by others for conformance with state and local ordinances
• Works closely with other departments, agencies and community resources to coordinate project development and departmental activities
• Performs related work as required

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of local, state and federal legal requirements applicable to planning, zoning, and land uses
• Advanced knowledge of the philosophies, principals, practices and techniques of planning
• Thorough knowledge of fiscal management including budget preparation, grant administration service and intergovernmental contract negotiation and administration, expenditure control, and record keeping
• Thorough knowledge of the principles, methodology, practices of research and data collection; statistical, algebraic, or geometric methods; methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation; socio-economic and physical characteristics of the county
• Skills in the implementation of local, state and federal legal requirements applicable to planning, zoning, and land uses
• Extensive skills computer hardware and software programs such as the Microsoft Office Suite, CAD, and/or GIS as well as internet applications including various State programs and projects
• Ability to read and understand technical and legal materials
• Ability to coordinate with various people ranging from the general public to high level professionals; define and analyze problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and manage projects effectively and meet firm deadlines
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from the public, municipal representatives and other government agencies, or other regulatory agencies
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other related County departments, and agencies; follow written and verbal instructions; communicate effectively verbally and in writing including preparation of reports and maps

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in Planning, Architecture, Public Policy, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Administration, Business, or closely related field and 2 Years Professional Planning, Local or Regional Land Use, Zoning, Land Development, Management/Supervisory, and/or Budget Administration, or
• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Planning, Architecture, Public Policy, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Administration, Business, or closely related field and 4 Years Professional Planning, Local or Regional Land Use, Zoning, Land Development, Management/Supervisory, and/or Budget Administration.
• 2 years supervisory experience.
• 4 years lead worker or project management experience.
• 4 years professional level regulatory plan, land use permit processing, long range planning, or environmental management experience.
• AICP Certification is preferred.
• Any equivalent combination of acceptable training and experience which has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities cited above.

The County of Luzerne is an EEO/ADA Employer

I. Medical Insurance
The coverage begins for the employee the on the first of the month following the first full 30 days of full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Cost to the employee to participate in the plan varies by the coverage selection and the number of dependents; and may be subject to collective bargaining agreement. The employee may also elect to opt out of the County's medical insurance if proof of coverage is provided. Under this arrangement, the employee is provided with an annual opt out payment.

II. Vision and Prescription
The coverage begins for the employee on the first of the month following the first full 30 days of full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Contributions may vary, subject to collective bargaining agreement.

III. Dental Coverage
The coverage begins for the employee on the first of the month following the first full 30 days of full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Contributions may vary, subject to collective bargaining agreement.

IV. Life Insurance
A $50,000 life insurance policy is afforded to full-time employees, unless specified differently in a collective bargaining agreement. It remains in effect as long as the employee is actively employed and terminates upon resignation or retirement.

V. Retirement
All full-time employees and part-time employees working more than 1,000 hours per year qualify for Luzerne County retirement benefits, in which employees must contribute 5% of their earnings, and may choose to add to an additional voluntary contribution, not to exceed an additional 10%.