Special Assistant to the Director, Planning & Sustainability

DeKalb County seeks a Special Assistant to the Director of Planning & Sustainability in Decatur, GA, offering a salary of $80,433 - $129,497. The role involves managing staff, providing high-level support, overseeing special projects, and ensuring departmental alignment with strategic goals. Candidates need a Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience. This leadership position requires strong judgment and the ability to represent the Director in various settings.
Salary Range: $80,433 - $129,497

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Essential Functions:

May manage, direct, and evaluate assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.

Provides high-level support to department director on departmental priorities, policy initiatives, and operational matters; and prepares reports, policy briefs, presentations, and communications for internal and external audiences.

Oversees special projects and initiatives requiring interdepartmental collaboration; ensures budget requirements are met; monitors project progress, prepares status updates, and resolves barriers to ensure timely completion of major initiatives.

Plans and executes short- and long-term goals and objectives consistent with the director’s organizational vision and priorities; collects and analyzes data; evaluates effectiveness and efficiency of department activities; reviews and revises policies, procedures, plans, and programs; and coordinates with division directors and managers to ensure alignment of operations with strategic priorities.

Conducts administrative management and organizational planning; evaluates, develops, and implements new systems, technologies, policies, and procedures; streamlines processes to enhance efficiency and service delivery; and evaluates departmental performance based on metrics and goals.

Assists in the development and administration of the departmental budget, contracts, and procurement activities; directs and coordinates budget monitoring system; and provides policy direction and operating procedures regarding expenditures.

Represents the department director to other County departments, elected officials, community leaders, the general public, and outside agencies.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Public/Business Administration, or a field related to the assignment; five years of progressively responsible experience in the area of assignment; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license.

Supplemental Information Specific to vacancy in Planning & Sustainability:

The Special Assistant to the Director of Planning & Sustainability serves as a senior level operational role and project lead for the Director. This position supports high-priority initiatives, manages sensitive and complex issues, and ensures the effective coordination of departmental operations and policy activities.

The Special Assistant represents the Director in interdepartmental meetings, communicates with elected officials and external stakeholders, and drives time-sensitive projects that advance the County’s planning, sustainability, development, and operational goals.

This is a leadership-track role requiring strong judgment, political acumen, and the ability to work independently on behalf of department leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Executive & Strategic Support
• Provide executive-level support to the Director on planning, land use, sustainability, permitting, and development matters. Prepare executive briefings, policy reports, talking points, presentations, and decision memos. Represent the Director in meetings, work sessions, and stakeholder engagements. Track and elevate emerging issues requiring leadership attention.

Policy Analysis & Development
• Conduct research and analysis on zoning, development regulations, comprehensive planning, and sustainability policy. Draft policy recommendations, ordinance revisions, and procedural updates. Coordinate with the County Attorney’s Office and senior leadership on policy interpretation and compliance. Support updates to the Comprehensive Plan, LCI studies, small area plans, and departmental policies.

Project & Program Management
• Lead priority initiatives assigned by the Director, ensuring scope, schedule, and outcomes are met. Oversee interdepartmental coordination with Watershed, GIS, Transportation, Fire Marshal, Code Compliance, and other groups involved in development review. Manage deliverables, timelines, and reporting for complex planning or sustainability projects. Support procurement, vendor coordination, and special project implementation.

Interdepartmental & Stakeholder Coordination
• Serve as liaison between the Director and division managers (Planning, Permitting, Sustainability, Land Development). Assist in managing communications with Commissioners, County leadership, developers, and community organizations. Facilitate resolution of escalated development, permitting, or land disturbance issues. Ensure consistent messaging and policy execution across the department.

Operational Support & Oversight
• Assist in monitoring department workflows, performance metrics, and service delivery. Coordinate executive correspondence, high-level inquiries, and responses to critical incidents or media requests. Handle confidential and sensitive matters with professionalism and discretion. Support budget preparation, grants management, procurement, and administrative processes as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education & Experience
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Environmental Studies, Public Policy, or related field strongly preferred.
• 5–7 years of professional experience in planning, public administration, development, project management, or policy roles.
• Experience working in or alongside government agencies preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects or policy initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
• Strong understanding of urban planning, zoning, sustainability, and development review.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including complex report preparation.
• Proven ability to manage sensitive issues with tact, confidentiality, and political awareness.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with project management tools, GIS, permitting platforms, and Microsoft Office Suite.

Working Conditions
• Professional office environment with occasional evening or weekend meetings.