Director, Planning and Community Services

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Advises and supports the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and Council in strategic and business planning, budget development and financial analysis in the areas of economic development, land use/permitting and community services-based projects and services.

• Recommends and executes appropriate long and short-term direction in alignment with strategy.

• Directs and provides coaching, mentoring, support and advice to up to seven (7) direct reporting staff.

• Ensures the efficient use of resources to address community needs, by analyzing and synthesizing a broad range of qualitative and quantitative information.

• Responsible for reviewing and recommending matters related to land use and providing professional planning advice and consultation to stakeholders.

• Directs, coordinates and plans appropriately for activities in areas of responsibility to achieve the annual strategic   outcomes and operational deliverables.

• Requires a good understanding of local government, provincial and local political climates, and the role and responsibilities of most County departments. This includes a comprehensive knowledge base of legislation directly affecting and related to a municipal organization.

• Communicates effectively with the investment/development community on a wide range of planning matters.

• Manages the Planning and Development department, performing day-to-day planning activities, such as subdivision authority, municipal planning commission, appeals, and all planning policy document reviews related to current, long term and regional planning.

• Prepares, recommends, monitors and controls the Planning and Development department’s budget and overview and direction for FCSS, CALC and Economic Development budgets.

• Reviews and recommends annual operating and capital budgets from a corporate perspective, ensuring responsible and appropriate use of municipal funds.

• Community Services: provides oversight and strategic leadership for CALC and FCSS to aligning community needs with Lamont County’s vision to deliver effective programs to residents:

• Planning and Development: oversees planning and development activities for the organization in the following service areas:

• Regional and long-range planning – develops and interprets long-term policy related to County changes and growth and leads inter-municipal planning initiatives.

• Development Services – reviews and approves services in the areas of development and subdivision.

• Development Engineering – oversees consultants and internal staff addressing development infrastructure.

• Responsible for development compliance and land use bylaw enforcement.

• Economic Development: focuses on growing a diverse employment base through investment attraction, business retention, and expansion activities.

• Participates and provides advice to the CAO and County’s Board Member at meetings of the Alberta Industrial Heartland Association (AIHA).

• Also manages the Safety Codes contract and is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Safety Codes Act on behalf of the County.

• Periodically undertakes the Acting CAO role in the absence of the CAO (when delegated).

• Guides and manages consultants working on behalf of the County (as relevant).

• Periodic interaction with Alberta Ministries of Environment; Transportation and Municipal Affairs.

• Attends and participates in regional inter-municipal and inter-governmental meetings and support inter-municipal partnership initiatives and related agreements.

• Collaborates and coordinates with numerous internal departments and external organizations, consultants and legal counsel.

• Develops and executes special projects and assignments, as directed.

• Supports department staff in the strategic planning of department goals and objectives; delegates responsibilities appropriately, and provides guidance and motivation to achieve outcomes.

• Provide general project managing of engineering for infrastructure development or upgrades to such development, as needed.

• Maintains courteous business-like relations with the public, contactors, Council and coworkers.

• Work is often subject to short deadlines with frequent interruptions and must be performed in an objective and confidential manner.