Description
Job Summary
Under limited supervision, the Director of Development Services directs the Development Services (DS) Department, and assures the effective coordination of programs and strategies required to meet the City’s goals and objectives; directs planning, building, airport management, permitting, health and code enforcement functions.
Duties and Responsibilities
The duties described below are indicative of what a Director of Development Services may be asked to perform; duties may be changed with or without notice.
Directs the Development Services (DS) Department staff and activities through effective planning, staff management, resource allocation, and sound fiscal practices; provides leadership to assure that the services of the departments are provided in alignment with the City's strategic goals, by conscientiously applying and administering development regulations, guaranteeing safe infrastructure, building construction, health inspections, code enforcement and providing accurate technical information and community-enhancing projects and programs.
Serves as the principal advisor to the City on Development Services issues; develops and directs plans and policies to meet City goals; interprets concerns, defines desired results, develops solutions, determines scope and priorities of programs and special projects; develops budget and manages expenditures.
Reviews and approves certain permits and use decisions, prepares and reviews reports, and recommends code amendments and other planning and building issues. Responsible for four key areas: Building Official functions, Code enforcement, all planning activities, and the operation of the City Airport.
Responsible for the airport's safe and efficient daily operation, financial administration, infrastructure maintenance, long-term development, and ensuring compliance with all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. Serves as resource and advisor providing technical information and professional recommendations to builders, contractors, architects, developers and City officials regarding construction and development.
Manages the collection, analysis and reporting of operational and technical data, and identifies and resolves problems and priorities.
Plans, organizes, implements and oversees DS operations and programs, assures the level of services keeps pace with customer needs, and assures the overall integrity of the Department programs and services.
Represents the Development Services Department to elected officials, outside agencies, developers and citizens, interprets and explains DS policies, procedures, rules and regulations and coordinates strategies to integrate Development Services with other programs, departments and agencies.
Monitors trends in Development Services practices, and recommends operational and policy improvements, evaluates programs, services, and activities to assure community needs are met.
Directs staff and provides leadership and guidance, develops priorities and assigns tasks and projects, develops staff skills and training plans, and conducts performance evaluations, analyzes workload trends and implements staffing and assignment adjustments.
Meets regularly with staff to discuss and resolve priorities, workload and technical issues.
Supports the relationship between the City of Huntsville and the constituent population by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with clients, visitors, and City staff and enthusiastically promotes the City goals and priorities in compliance with all policies and procedures.
Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, client records and City information and performs related duties as required or assigned.
Requirements
Qualifications
Education and/or Experience
REQUIRED
Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Construction Management, Engineering, Business or Public Administration, OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Five (5) years of experience as a building official, planning manager or engineering manager, including supervisory experience.
Preferred certified Building Official through the International Code Council or City Planner.
Valid Texas driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Analyzing issues, evaluating alternatives, and making logical recommendations based on findings.
Presenting and defending DS reports and information in public meetings.
Interpreting and applying building and safety standards, state and Federal regulations, department standards and City codes and policies.
Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with City employees, elected officials, other community development agencies and the public.
Directing and leading staff, and delegating tasks and authority.
Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
Operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of standard software.
Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
City organization, operations, policies and procedures.
City, County, State and Federal laws, regulations and ordinances affecting planning, zoning, code enforcement, building construction and municipal services.
Principles, practices and procedures of planning, community development, land use, zoning regulation, building construction, code enforcement, health inspections and permitting.
Techniques and practices for effective and efficient management of allocated resources, including personnel administration, labor law, accounting and budgeting.
Local community issues and regional community resources available to citizens.
REASONING ABILITIES
Ability to provide expert advice without formal supervisory responsibility.
Ability to plan work and establish job priorities.
Ability to instruct and train in methods and procedures.
Ability to respond to complaints from citizens and grievances.
Ability to define problems and deal with a variety of situations.
Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
Ability to use good judgement and effectively solve problems.
Ability to instruct and train in methods & procedures.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to communicate effectively with other members of the staff, supervisor, and the public.
Ability to communicate in both written and verbal form.
Ability to read City policies and procedures; written instructions and general correspondence.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to calculate basic mathematical calculations (add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals).
Physical and Work Environment
The physical environment and the work environment described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
The duties of this job may include physical activities such as climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing, bending/twisting, and performing repetitive motions.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, and peripheral vision; depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment may include some or all of the following:
Inside and outside environment.
Repetitive activities (performance of the same physically and mentally demanding activity).
Unpleasant social situations (necessity of dealing with irate or disturbed individuals).
Air contamination (may work in an area with dust, fumes, toxic odors, etc.).
May be exposed to electrical hazards, road hazards, vibration and confining workspaces.
May come in contact with hazardous materials.
Working under distractions (telephone calls, distractions, disturbances).
Intense or continuous noise.
Awkward or confining workspace (conditions in which the body is cramped or uncomfortable).
Improper illumination (glare, inadequate lighting, etc.).
High or low temperatures (possibly leading to stress or decreased ability to work effectively).
Visiting potentially dangerous constructions sites including being exposed to heights.
