Deputy Director, Planning & Sustainability - Development Services

The Deputy Director of Planning & Sustainability at DeKalb County Government in Decatur, GA, oversees the Development division, managing business licensing, land development, plans review, inspections, and permitting. Responsibilities include developing strategic plans, managing staff, ensuring compliance with regulations, and providing reports to county officials. The position is critical for aligning operations with county growth initiatives and requires leadership in business development.
Job Description

Deputy Director, Planning & Sustainability Brochure

Salary Range: $140,000+

The Deputy Director of Planning & Sustainability is essential to the county’s growth initiatives. This role collaborates closely with the Planning Director and manages the Development division within the Planning & Sustainability department, which includes five key areas: business licensing, land development, plans review, inspections, and permitting.

The Deputy Director of Planning & Sustainability is responsible for leading, managing, and overseeing business development operations in alignment with county planning initiatives. This role serves the public interest by supervising and directing the daily operations of the Development division.

Key Duties
• Develop and implement long- and short-term development plans, goals, and objectives.
• Prioritize and schedule development work activities to meet objectives.
• Manage, direct, and evaluate assigned staff and ensure subordinates have the proper resources.
• Organize, prioritize, and assign work regarding business licensing, land development, plans review, inspections and permitting to meet objectives.
• Provide regular progress and activity reports to county administrators and elected officials.
• Ensure departmental compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
• Review and revise policies, procedures, plans and programs to meet current and future business development and retention needs.

Essential Functions

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.

Manages, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.

Organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work regarding business development and retention; prioritizes and schedules work activities in order to meet objectives; ensures that subordinates have the proper resources needed to complete the assigned work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; consults with assigned staff to assist with complex/problem situations and provide technical expertise; and provides progress and activity reports to County administrators and elected officials.

Ensures departmental compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures; ensures adherence to established procedures; and initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.

Develops and implements long- and short-term plans, goals, and objectives for area of assignment; collects and analyzes multiple sources of data; evaluates effectiveness and efficiency of department activities; reviews and revises policies, procedures, plans and programs; and researches, assesses, and develops strategies to meet current and future business development and retention needs.

Develops, implements and monitors policies, procedures, and protocols for area of assignment; interprets, explains and implements local, state, and federal laws and regulations; conducts staff meetings; and provides information, updates, and coordination of work activities.

Develops and implements budget for assigned area; recommends staffing levels, equipment, materials and other budget allocations; monitors expenditures to ensure compliance with approved budget; and prepares and submits budget documentation and reports.

Represents the Development Services Department to other County departments, elected officials, outside agencies, and the residential and commercial community; coordinates assigned activities; resolves land development issues; provides guidance and direction and interpretation of County requirements, processes, and initiatives; and negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial development issues.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning or a related field required (Master's degree preferred); eight years of experience in planning, zoning, and development service, with three years of management experience for a comparably sized organization or as a deputy director for a smaller organization; 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. AICP certification is preferred depending on area of assignment.