DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

The purpose of this position is to serve as second in command of the Development Services Department, reporting directly to the Director. This position supervises the Planning and Zoning and Building and Plan Review divisions and directs daily operations involving planning, zoning, development review, permitting, inspections, and environmental compliance. The Deputy Director exercises administrative, supervisory, and technical authority across both divisions; manages staff, budgets, policies, and service delivery; and acts for the Director during the Director’s absence. This position coordinates complex development matters, resolves operational and technical issues, and represents the department before County leadership, appointed boards, applicants, and the public.• Directs daily operations of the Planning and Zoning and Building and Plan Review divisions; supervises assigned managers, supervisors, professional staff, technical staff, and administrative personnel; and establishes responsibilities, work priorities, and service expectations.

• Acts for the Director during the Director’s absence and exercises assigned departmental decision authority; provides direction to both divisions, resolves issues requiring management action, and represents the department in meetings and other official activities.
• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff; manages work schedules and coverage; approves time and leave within assigned authority; addresses employee concerns and performance issues; recommends personnel actions; and oversees staff training, development, and succession planning.
• Organizes and assigns work across both divisions; monitors workloads, staffing capacity, and work quality; provides technical guidance on complex matters; and adjusts assignments and resources to maintain effective service delivery.
• Exercises technical authority to interpret and apply County planning, zoning, subdivision, development, building, and construction regulations within the authority assigned to the position; resolves complex technical questions and ensures consistent application of adopted requirements.
• Reviews complex planning, zoning, subdivision, land development, and building matters; issues technical determinations and approves or denies applications within assigned authority; and prepares recommendations for matters requiring action by a board or another designated official.
• Oversees permitting intake, application processing, plan review, inspections, environmental compliance, and project closeout; ensures required reviews and approvals are completed and documented before permits, certificates, or other authorizations are issued.
• Coordinates development review among both divisions and participating County offices, including Fire Prevention, Transportation, Stormwater, Engineering, and other applicable reviewers; resolves conflicting comments, clarifies responsibilities, and elevates unresolved matters to the appropriate decision maker.
• Develops, recommends, and implements departmental policies and operating procedures; establishes consistent intake, review, inspection, and customer service practices; and ensures staff follow adopted requirements and approved procedures.
• Assists the Director in developing and administering departmental and division budgets; forecasts staffing, equipment, technology, training, and contracted service needs; monitors revenues and expenditures; and recommends resource allocations and corrective actions within approved budget authority.
• Oversees comprehensive planning, zoning and development regulation updates, subdivision review, and related planning initiatives; coordinates research, data analysis, Geographic Information System support, consultant work, and preparation of staff reports and recommendations.
• Monitors proposed and adopted changes affecting planning, zoning, development, permitting, building codes, and inspections; evaluates their operational effects and directs necessary changes to procedures, staff training, and public information.
• Establishes and monitors operational goals and performance measures, including workloads, review times, backlogs, inspection scheduling, and customer response times; identifies service problems, implements corrective actions, and reports results to the Director.
• Oversees the use and improvement of permitting, plan review, inspection, and records systems; coordinates application routing, status tracking, reporting, and staff access with the appropriate County offices.
• Resolves complex or escalated inquiries and complaints involving residents, applicants, developers, contractors, and design professionals; explains requirements and decisions clearly and ensures consistent, professional customer service across both divisions.
• Prepares and presents departmental reports, recommendations, budget information, and operational updates to County leadership and appointed boards; attends Board of Commissioners and Zoning Advisory Board meetings; and oversees preparation of planning and zoning hearing materials, notices, and records.

Education and Experience: Requires a bachelor’s degree in Urban or Regional Planning, Public Administration, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related field; and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in local government development services, planning and zoning, permitting, plan review, inspections, or related operations, including supervisory or management experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Master’s degree preferred.

Licenses or Certifications: Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia Driver’s license. Possession and maintenance of certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners is preferred.

Special Requirements: None. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of planning, zoning, subdivision regulation, development review, permitting, building codes, inspections, and environmental compliance practices.
• Knowledge of local government budgeting, personnel administration, purchasing, records management, and departmental operations.
• Ability to supervise managers, supervisors, and multidisciplinary staff across two divisions.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex regulations, evaluate technical information, and make clear, consistent decisions within assigned authority.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, resolve conflicts among reviewers, and coordinate complex development projects.
• Ability to evaluate workloads, service performance, staffing needs, and budget impacts and implement practical improvements.
• Ability to explain technical requirements and departmental decisions clearly to elected officials, staff, applicants, and the public.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, handle confidential matters, and assume departmental leadership during the Director’s absence.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is sedentary work which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Requires mental acuity including the ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes, the ability to express ideas by means of the spoken word and have close visual acuity.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a relatively safe, and secure work environment.

Henry County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions described in this job description. Henry County encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Henry County will comply with all applicable federal regulations and Henry County's insurance requirements governing workplace anti-drug and alcohol programs. Henry County employees shall be subject to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988.