Director of Planning

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JOB SUMMARY: The County Planning Director performs duties and responsibilities in relation to guiding both short and long-term community planning initiatives for Bradford County. The County Planning Director oversees the administration and appropriate enforcement of the County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance and also coordinates with developing useful information and data generated through the County Geographic Information System.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This is a professional planning position that involves the implementation of planning principles and practices while attempting to achieve positive physical, social and economic outcomes as a result of proper planning technique. The County Planning Director’s work consists of managing the administration of the Bradford County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, coordinating with local municipalities on planning related issues, collecting and analyzing data and dissemination of reports and correspondence. The County Planning Director receives guidance and supervision and performs general duties and responsibilities in accordance with policies and procedures set forth by the Bradford County Planning Commission and, ultimately, the Bradford County Board of Commissioners.

JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Management & Supervision

▪ Supervises the County Planner, GIS Coordinator, GIS Planning Analyst, Grants

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Coordinator, Administrative Assistant and Planning/GIS Interns.

▪ Plans work and establishes priorities for staff and may add or delete work priorities accordingly. Assists in the assignment of work and distributes work among co-workers.

▪ Instructs and trains in planning methods and procedure.

▪ Coordinates Planning/GIS activities with municipal governments and other agencies.

▪ Makes recommendation to the Bradford County Commissioners and Human Resource Director regarding hiring, firing disciplining, and training Planning/GIS personnel.

▪ Approves all vacation, sick time and overtime.

2. Public Relations

▪ Meets with landowners, surveyors, engineers and attorneys to discuss the Subdivision and Land Development application process and other related Ordinance requirements. Facilitates dialogue with these groups prior to presenting proposals to the Bradford County Planning Commission.

▪ Meets with state and federal agencies such as PENNDOT, PA DEP, PHMC, DCED and ACOE related to both land development and bridge permitting.

▪ Makes various presentations to municipalities, universities and other groups as required to educate and inform attendees on the status of Bradford County community planning and other relevant development issues.

▪ Assist the public on inquiries related to general zoning, subdivision/land development, natural gas development, floodplain management, recreational initiatives, agricultural security areas, GIS data and other applications.

▪ Responds to inquiries to local, regional and national news media.

3. Planning

▪ Develop the monthly meeting Agenda with the Administrative Assistant and County Planner and review necessary applications for consideration. Attend monthly meetings of the Bradford County Planning Commission and prepare a presentation of monthly agenda items. Review and update monthly meeting minutes thereafter.

▪ Oversee coordination with the County Planner and County Consulting Engineers on the technical compliance of Land Development applications in accordance with the County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance and perform site visits to inspect required improvements such as storm water management facilities, parking lots, sidewalks, ingress, egress and regress, landscaping, etc.

▪ Work with the County Planner on evaluating subdivision and land development applications, modification applications, sketch plan proposals, and assist in determining the course of action for Possible Violations. Work with the County Solicitor on Subdivision and Land Development Application compliance issues.

▪ Monitor progress of current and previous Subdivision and Land Development files and assist the County Planner in providing short and long-term trends in development patterns throughout the County.

▪ Perform site visits with the County Planner and County Consulting Engineer at proposed Land Developments to determine consistency with both Preliminary and Final Plans.

▪ Coordinate with the County Planner review and comment for municipal subdivision and land development applications.

▪ Coordinate with the County Planner DEP Major Module Application Review under Act 537 and other sewage facility requirements.

▪ Provide technical review and comment for all municipal zoning map and ordinance amendments. Some reviews may include municipal Conditional Use Applications.

▪ Work with the County Planner and Administrative Assistant developing the Annual Report in accordance with the PA Municipalities Planning Code by March 1st of each year.

▪ Develop and implement the County Comprehensive Plan and Open Space, Greenway and Outdoor Recreation Plan every ten (10) years.

▪ Attend municipal planning commission, as requested through a Memorandum of Agreement, to assist with the development of updated Comprehensive Plans, Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances and Zoning Ordinances.

▪ Assist with appropriate grant proposals to secure funding for those areas of planning, recreation, transportation, etc.

▪ Develop letters of consistency and support for local projects that require County Planning Commission consideration for application completeness.

▪ Orchestrate development of pertinent geodatabase layers essential to land use planning applications with the County GIS Coordinator and GIS Planning Analyst.

▪ Participate in the County Parks Advisory Committee and make sound planning recommendations considering the overall County Parks Master Plans.

▪ Participate as a member of the Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission Rural Area Transportation Advisory Committee for the prioritization of road, bridge, rail, transit priorities under the Transportation Improvement Program.

▪ Understand and disseminate map and ordinance information related to municipal Floodplain Management.

▪ Develop and administrate, with the assistance of the County Planner, Act 167 Stormwater Management Plans in designated municipalities in coordination with the County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.

▪ Subcommittee for Community Planning. Coordinate with GIS staff on upkeep and maintenance of all natural gas related data and dissemination of the Natural Gas Primer, Observer and other related pamphlets.

▪ Coordinate with municipalities and the Bradford County Conservation District Agricultural Preservation Program in relation to Act 43 - Agricultural Security Areas.

4. County Bridge Replacement Program and Inspections

▪ Coordinate with the Bradford County Commissioners, the Bradford County Maintenance Director and County Consulting Engineer on future repair and replacement priorities. Place priorities on the TIP through the Northern Tier RPO.

▪ Manage all bridge replacement projects with the County Consulting Engineer through phases that include contract agreement, Preliminary Engineering, Right-of-Way Acquisition, Utility Relocation, Final Design, Construction Inspection and Construction Services.

▪ Manage all bridge replacement projects through Federal/State Reimbursement or through Retroactive Reimbursement Processes with the Administrative Assistant.

▪ Manage the County Umbrella Inspection Program and all reimbursements.

▪ Coordinate with the Chief Clerk, County Fiscal Director and County Maintenance Director on annual Liquid Fuels Budgeting for up and coming bridge priorities.

5. Fiscal

▪ Prepare a budget that meets the needs of both Planning and Geographic Information Systems staff. Identify operating requirements, maintenance costs, training costs, computer hardware/software needs, meals, travel and conference registration prior to the annual budget cycle.

▪ Responsible for the control of Department of Community Planning and Mapping Services expenditures and approves payment of all encumbrances.

▪ Recommend any future personnel needs.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

▪ General knowledge of Community Planning Principals, Practices and Land Use concepts.

▪ Ability to interpret ordinance standards and procedures along with understanding planning measures set forth within the PA Municipalities Planning Code.

▪ Ability to understand, interpret and apply legal principles related to planning.

▪ Familiarity with maps and engineering site plan review.

▪ Working knowledge of ESRI ArcGIS software, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point. Ability to prepare and present technical graphic presentations in an interesting manner to professionals, municipal officials and the general public.

▪ Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, peers, officials, other agencies and the general public. Provides the highest level of customer service to applicants and officials requesting information from the office.

▪ Ethical commitment to the practice of a public planning position.

▪ Excellent oral and written communication skills.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE and TRAINING: Graduation from a college or university of recognized standing with major work in Community, Environmental or Land Use Planning, Geography, Public Administration and related fields of study. The candidate shall have a minimum of five (5) years of experience with ordinance development/administration, policy analysis and geographic information systems. The County Planning Director attends planning related meetings, conferences, seminars, workshops, and webinars to stay apprised of regional and state trends in planning practice. Accreditation by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and membership in the American Planning Association - Pennsylvania Chapter is highly desirable.

ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: The County Planning Director must possess a valid driver’s license and ability to provide personal transportation. The County Planning Director must be able to conduct site visits outside of the office and should be capable of entering construction sites during varied weather conditions.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Military leave
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work setting:

• In-person
• Office

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• ordinance development and administration: 5 years (Required)
• policy analysis and geographic information systems: 5 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certificate (Preferred)
• membership in the American Planning Association (Preferred)
• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Towanda, PA 18848 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Towanda, PA 18848: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person