Planning Director

POSITION OVERVIEW

Under the general supervision of the County Administrator or designee and consistent with policy direction established by the Board of County Commissioners, the Planning Director manages the County Planning Department and administers land use planning, development review, zoning, floodplain administration, and long-range planning activities. The Director supervises Planning staff, manages departmental resources, provides professional advice to the County Commission and planning-related boards, and coordinates with GIS, Open Lands, other County departments, municipalities, applicants, and the public.

• Plans, directs, supervises, and coordinates current and long-range land use planning for the County;
• Supervises the activities of professional, technical, and clerical personnel;
• Prepares and administers plans within the policies of the County Commission and various planning-related boards and committees;
• Prepares and proposes long-range plans;
• Assigns planners to review development applications;
• Supervises and participates in the preparation and revision of zoning ordinances and zoning maps;
• Prepares draft ordinances and resolutions relating to zoning, subdivisions, building for lease or rent, floodplain management, environmental review and related planning and zoning matters;
• Oversees the County’s floodplain administration function, including supervision or coordination of the Floodplain Administrator as assigned, and coordinates updates to floodplain regulations, maps, and related FEMA requirements;
• Serves as staff and technical advisor to the County Commission and various planning-related boards and committees on planning and zoning matters, including the preparation and presentation of reports and recommendations;
• Coordinates staff support for planning-related boards, including the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment, and ensures board members receive appropriate orientation, training, and information to fulfill their responsibilities;
• Confers with architects, engineers, developers, consultants, municipal and agency partners, and the general public on planning matters;
• Coordinates planning activities with regional partners, including the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), municipalities, and other local, state, and federal agencies;
• Makes authoritative interpretations of applicable laws, regulations and policies;
• Monitors proposed and adopted state legislation, regulations, and policies affecting land use planning; evaluates impacts on County operations and advises County leadership and planning-related boards on needed responses or implementation changes;
• Supervises and participates in the more complex and technical planning studies;
• Attends meetings to represent the County and make presentations;
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.
• Coordinates and collaborates with the GIS Office to obtain and maintain geographic information needed for planning analysis, mapping, and development review, to develop planning-related mapping products, and the facilitate public access to planning-related geographic information;
• Coordinates and collaborates with Open Lands Program staff on land use planning matters involving conservation, open space, and related policies, and provides planning expertise and technical assistance to Open Lands projects as appropriate;
• Develops and prioritizes the Planning Department budget and coordinates with planning-related boards, zoning districts, and grant administrators as appropriate;
• Makes budget projections for revenues from fees.
• Prepares the department requested budget to ensure distribution and allocation of personnel and operating expenses, including requests for personnel wage adjustments, capital equipment, operational increases, and capital projects.
• Prepares and tracks departmental objectives, workload indicators tied to County goals.
• Approves budgeted expenditures.
• Monitors expenditures and revenues to ensure they are within the approved budget.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Performs other related duties as assigned, including special projects, training, and assistance with County operations as needed. During a disaster or public health emergency, performs duties under applicable County emergency procedures or as directed by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

The required knowledge, skills, and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in planning, public administration, geography, or a related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible professional planning experience, including supervisory or management experience. The position requires demonstrated organizational, leadership, and communication skills. A valid driver’s license and insurability under County liability policies are required.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

This position requires knowledge of land use planning principles and practices; Montana laws and regulations governing subdivisions, zoning, growth policies, and floodplain management, and related planning functions; infrastructure and development issues; public processes; and research, data analysis, and report preparation. Working knowledge of GIS and conservation planning is beneficial. The Director must demonstrate sound judgment, strong leadership and supervisory skills, effective project and budget management, clear written and oral communication, constructive public engagement, conflict resolution, and the ability to build cooperative relationships with elected officials, staff, applicants, boards, and community members. The position must appropriately handle confidential and sensitive information.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

As a condition of hire, the final candidate will be required to successfully pass a background screening. For application consideration, the following documents are required to be submitted when you apply online:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Three (3) work references

Gallatin County is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment on the basis of merit and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, national origin, or physical or mental disability.

Benefits

HEALTH BENEFITS:

• Individual health benefits premium is paid at 100% for full-time employees and pro-rated based on hours worked for part-time employees
• Includes limited vision and dental coverage (Dental is provided by MetLife and includes a dental buy-up option)
• Dependent health benefits premium is offered at very low costs
• Coverage is effective the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment
• Talkspace: In-Network behavioral health support through virtual counseling & psychiatry
• Optional Supplemental Coverage is offered through Mutual of Omaha including Voluntary Accident Policy, Voluntary Critical Illness Policy and Voluntary Life Insurance Policy (also available for dependents)
• FREE unlimited access and care to PMR Clinic East. This is a private Clinic and is available to all employees and family members who are enrolled in our health benefits.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS: Optional pre-tax, out-of-pocket medical expenses & day care expenses COUNTY PAID LIFE INSURANCE: $50,000 Group Life Insurance Policy (eligible employees only) (age reductions apply) COUNTY PAID LONG TERM DISABLITY INSURANCE: Eligible employees only, benefit duration shortens once a specific age is reached

RETIREMENT:

• County employees are covered by the Public Employee’s Retirement System (PERS)
• County Deputies and Detention Officers are covered by the Sheriff’s Retirement System (SRS)
• An optional supplemental 457 deferred compensation plan/ROTH is available through Empower and Nationwide

PAID PARENTAL LEAVE:

• Eligible employees are offered a maximum of six weeks (240 hours) of paid parental leave for the bonding and care of a newborn child or adoption of a child

SICK AND VACATION LEAVE:

• Employees accrue 12 sick days and 3 weeks of vacation per year, depending on years of service. (Hours are pro-rated for part-time employees)
• Leave starts accruing on an employee’s date of hire and can be used as soon as time is in the books.

HOLIDAYS:

• The County observes 11 legal holidays in even numbered years (Federal Election Day) and 10 legal holidays in odd numbered years.
• A Floating Holiday is available to eligible employees after six months.

HEALTH CLUB MEMBERSHIPS: Discounted rates are offered at participating clubs with payroll deduction.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:

• Offers a confidential counseling hotline and up to six sessions with a Licensed Professional Counselor at no cost to the employee. This program is also available to dependents.

WORLDWIDE TRAVEL EMERGENCY PROGRAM AND WILL & LEGAL PREPARATION SERVICES:

• Limited 24/7 services anywhere in the world
• Will and limited legal service

TUITION ASSISTANCE:

• The County offers partial reimbursement of qualifying tuition expenses

BILINGUAL PAY:

• Gallatin County allows for bilingual pay to employees that provide translation services to County departments and offices. The bilingual pay allows for extra compensation to employees that provide this service.