Planning and Zoning Director
Morton County
February 20, 2015
Experience:
1-3 years
Contact person:
Wendy Bent
Phone:
7016673414
Fax:
7016673477
Email:
wendy.bent@mortonnd.org
Location:
Mandan, ND
Morton County is actively recruiting candidates for a County Planner position. This position is the only position making up the Planning and Zoning Department. This is a highly valued position within this organization requiring the candidate to have a solid foundation in Planning and Zoning but also a genuine interest in consciously serving the public.
The Planning and Zoning Director will be responsible for coordinating and facilitating land use planning activities and administers the zoning and subdivision ordinance for unincorporated areas of the County. This position involves a high level of coordination and interaction with other County departments, government entities, local organizations, development groups, and the general public. The Director of Planning and Zoning acts in an advisory capacity to the Board of County Commissioners and the Planning & Zoning Commission. Among other things, this position involves developing and implementing land-use policies and programs with broad scope, processing and evaluating development proposals, and other related duties as required.
- Prepares updates to the Morton County Comprehensive Plan, as needed, and assists the Planning and Zoning Commission and Morton County Commission in implementing the plan’s goals and strategies.
- Interprets and explains all Morton County regulations pertaining to zoning, subdivision, and land use development generally for the unincorporated areas of the County.
- Facilitates monthly Planning and Zoning Commission meetings by setting meeting agendas, preparing staff reports, and presenting relevant information to County officials.
- Manages, tracks, and updates records of Planning and Zoning Commission meeting materials, Morton County Commission actions pertaining to planning and zoning, and any related permits or notices.
- Administers the review process for all subdivisions, rezonings, special use permits, and variances in the unincorporated areas of the County, including meeting with applicants, sending mailings to the public, publishing public notices, presentations in public hearings, and maintenance of communications between all parties throughout the process.
- Maintains and updates the zoning map, as needed, and makes the map available for public use.
- Researches and provides recommendations for improvements to the County’s zoning and subdivision regulations, administrative procedures, as well as any other governmental measures relating to land use, economic development, public utilities, community facilities, conservation, housing, and transportation.
- Maintains an active understanding of current planning trends and opportunities, and summarizes information for Morton County officials and the public.
- Facilitates public involvement and gathers public input through communications such as interviews, public meetings, surveys, hearings, and mailings.
- Conducts field investigations, demographic studies, or other research to gather required information, and presents findings in graphic and narrative form.
- Coordinates communications between other departments, business associations, interest groups, other governmental jurisdictions, the public, and County officials.
- Provides GIS technical assistance to the County.
- Provides assistance with hazard mitigation and floodplain management tasks for the County.
- Provides grant-writing assistance to the County.
- Provides technical planning assistance to Incorporated Cities in Morton County, as requested by City Commissions or staff.
Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
- Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations regarding planning and land development.
- Knowledge of concepts, theory and principles of planning and related disciplines such as sociology, demography, economics, finance;
- Knowledge of geographic information systems;
- Skills in public administrations, management and public relations;
- Skills in data collection, basic statistical methods, interpreting and applying codes and regulations, and application of planning principles and developing plans, etc.;
- Creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve less well- defined planning problems.
- Skills in oral and written presentation, communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction;
- Skills in coordinating efforts of a group and managing consensus;
- Ability to manage and prioritize tasks effectively while working with multiple projects simultaneously.
- Proficiency in computer software used in planning including Microsoft Office, ArcGIS, Sketchup, etc.
Education:
A bachelor’s degree in urban/rural planning or a closely related field is required. A master’s degree in planning and/or AICP certification is preferred.