Planning and Zoning Director - Collier County, FL
Salary: $95,000 to $119,000 DOQ/E
Application Deadline: Open until filled.
Application Deadline: Open until filled.
Collier County seeks a dynamic, passionate and experienced professional planner to lead and manage all planning operations and related functional areas – capable of communicating adopted strategies and helping to establish and articulate a ‘future vision’ on behalf of the County. Located in beautiful Southwest Florida, Collier County has a population approaching 400,000, and a total area of just over 2,300 square miles, the fourth largest county by total area in the State. Virtually the entire southeastern portion of the county lies within the Big Cypress National Preserve, and the northernmost portion of Everglades National Park extends into the southern coastal part of the county. Collier County is comprised of three municipalities that include the cities of Everglades, Marco Island, and the largest, Naples, with estimated population over 22,000. According to the U.S. Census, Collier County is the 10th fastest growing metropolitan area in the country and Wallet Hub ranked Naples/Collier County as the 3rd best place to start a business, and Forbes magazine ranked Naples and Collier County number four (4) in the Top 10 Best Cities for future job growth. Collier County is located at the southern end of Florida’s Gulf Coast, and is bounded by Hendry County to the north, Broward County to the east, Miami-Dade County to the southeast, Monroe County to the south, and Lee County to the northwest. Collier County benefits from quality schools, good highway access, and is positioned to benefit from significant quality development in the next 10 years with 45,000 acres remaining to be developed within the County.
The County is governed by a five-member Board of County Commissioners, with an appointed County Manager. The Director for the Planning & Zoning Division reports to the Deputy Department Head of Growth Management. The Director of Planning & Zoning will be responsible for growth management, land development, and oversight of short and long-term planning and zoning for the county. This includes implementation and interpretation of the County’s Growth Management Plan (GMP) goals, policies and objectives – viewed specifically through oversight and interpretation of the County’s Land Development Code (LDC). The Planning Director is also responsible for the review and assessment of all development plans and evaluates the proposed use of land for structures, roads, utilities, landscaping, land use applications, and provides information to the public on the LDC and GMP. The position will also maintain the Concurrency Management System to ensure the public infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, public safety facilities, etc.) necessary to support growth and land development in the County are available. Other responsibilities include preparing the Annual Update and Inventory Report on Public Facilities (AUIR), as well as reviewing and analyzing amendments and rezoning petitions to determine consistency and statutory compliance. The Director of Planning will be responsible for resolving all outstanding issues pertaining to the interpretation of the Growth Management Plan.
Minimum Qualifications
This position will work closely and coordinate with a multitude of established public boards, commissions and regulatory agencies on all aspects of planning. These groups and individuals include the Board of County Commissioners (BCC), County Manager, Deputy County Manager, Department Head of Growth Management, other cities and adjoining counties, Environmental Advisory Council, Planning Commission, and other BCC advisory boards. The position will also oversee and administer the Collier County Rural Lands Stewardship Credit Program and the Collier County Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Program. The Planning & Zoning Director will be responsible for managing all related responsibilities and oversee 24 employees supported by an annual budget of $3,325,400 million.
Priorities for the Planning & Zoning Director include: 1) Review of the Collier County Comprehensive (Master) Plan, Land Development Code (LDC), Growth Management Plan (GMP), and to develop a set of action steps and strategic direction for updating all three documents; 2) Review the Planning and Zoning Division’s annual budget, staffing levels and identified priorities and forecast the funds needed to support and achieve the desired results; and 3) Complete the restudy and update of four sub-area master plans located in eastern Collier County.
Candidates must have the ability to review site plans for compliance with zoning standards, present data concisely, create maps, and prepare written staff reports. The ideal candidate must also be able to confidently make verbal presentations to senior management, boards and commissions, elected officials, economic development agencies, business and civic leaders, citizens and others as needed. This position will be extremely important in helping to preserve and maintain Collier County’s outstanding quality of life, while being tasked with interpreting and assessing development and redevelopment proposals as they relate to the County’s Comprehensive Plan, GMP, and LDC. Candidates should have experience working for a growing and diverse community, possess a record of exceptional leadership, and exhibit an ability to adapt to change in a fast-paced environment. The Planning Director will be expected to mentor and develop employees for future leadership, possess unquestioned personal and professional ethics, and maintain the highest levels of integrity and transparency in managing all planning responsibilities. The ideal candidate will believe in and instill a culture that embraces change, continuous improvement, and provides exceptional customer service for everyone. To be considered, applicants should understand all facets of planning and how land use can ultimately impact and affect infrastructure. The selected candidate will place a high priority on tracking and processing applications in a complete and timely manner ensuring that deadlines are met, and that customers are provided clear and accurate communication and direction by the staff. Candidates with a record of problem solving, innovation, and working through challenges through collaboration and teamwork will have an advantage. Knowledge and experience with Florida planning and development laws is desired but not required. Excellent writing, communication and listening skills are essential. The ideal candidate will also demonstrate exceptional quantitative and analytical skills. Candidates must possess an ability to operate independently – with confidence while being receptive to constructive suggestions.
Preferred Qualifications
Educational requirements include a Masters’ degree in Planning, Public Administration, or a closely related field; six years of experience in professional planning and management in a comparable community, and at least two years in supervisory experience in a comparable community is preferred. Candidates with a Bachelors’ degree may be considered with additional work experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position. AICP and/or AIA certification is preferred. The selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License. The full salary range is $95,375 – $143,330, and a starting range up to $119,000, DOQ/E. The County offers an excellent benefits package which includes health, dental, and retirement options that include contributing on behalf of the employee toward one of two options with the Florida Retirement System (FRS) and the employee contributing only 3-percent. A deferred compensation matching contribution would also be provided up to $1500. Residency in Collier County is preferred, and temporary housing may be considered for relocation on a case-by-case basis.
For more information, please contact Art Davis at [email protected], or by phone at 816-868-7042.
The County is governed by a five-member Board of County Commissioners, with an appointed County Manager. The Director for the Planning & Zoning Division reports to the Deputy Department Head of Growth Management. The Director of Planning & Zoning will be responsible for growth management, land development, and oversight of short and long-term planning and zoning for the county. This includes implementation and interpretation of the County’s Growth Management Plan (GMP) goals, policies and objectives – viewed specifically through oversight and interpretation of the County’s Land Development Code (LDC). The Planning Director is also responsible for the review and assessment of all development plans and evaluates the proposed use of land for structures, roads, utilities, landscaping, land use applications, and provides information to the public on the LDC and GMP. The position will also maintain the Concurrency Management System to ensure the public infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, public safety facilities, etc.) necessary to support growth and land development in the County are available. Other responsibilities include preparing the Annual Update and Inventory Report on Public Facilities (AUIR), as well as reviewing and analyzing amendments and rezoning petitions to determine consistency and statutory compliance. The Director of Planning will be responsible for resolving all outstanding issues pertaining to the interpretation of the Growth Management Plan.
Minimum Qualifications
This position will work closely and coordinate with a multitude of established public boards, commissions and regulatory agencies on all aspects of planning. These groups and individuals include the Board of County Commissioners (BCC), County Manager, Deputy County Manager, Department Head of Growth Management, other cities and adjoining counties, Environmental Advisory Council, Planning Commission, and other BCC advisory boards. The position will also oversee and administer the Collier County Rural Lands Stewardship Credit Program and the Collier County Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Program. The Planning & Zoning Director will be responsible for managing all related responsibilities and oversee 24 employees supported by an annual budget of $3,325,400 million.
Priorities for the Planning & Zoning Director include: 1) Review of the Collier County Comprehensive (Master) Plan, Land Development Code (LDC), Growth Management Plan (GMP), and to develop a set of action steps and strategic direction for updating all three documents; 2) Review the Planning and Zoning Division’s annual budget, staffing levels and identified priorities and forecast the funds needed to support and achieve the desired results; and 3) Complete the restudy and update of four sub-area master plans located in eastern Collier County.
Candidates must have the ability to review site plans for compliance with zoning standards, present data concisely, create maps, and prepare written staff reports. The ideal candidate must also be able to confidently make verbal presentations to senior management, boards and commissions, elected officials, economic development agencies, business and civic leaders, citizens and others as needed. This position will be extremely important in helping to preserve and maintain Collier County’s outstanding quality of life, while being tasked with interpreting and assessing development and redevelopment proposals as they relate to the County’s Comprehensive Plan, GMP, and LDC. Candidates should have experience working for a growing and diverse community, possess a record of exceptional leadership, and exhibit an ability to adapt to change in a fast-paced environment. The Planning Director will be expected to mentor and develop employees for future leadership, possess unquestioned personal and professional ethics, and maintain the highest levels of integrity and transparency in managing all planning responsibilities. The ideal candidate will believe in and instill a culture that embraces change, continuous improvement, and provides exceptional customer service for everyone. To be considered, applicants should understand all facets of planning and how land use can ultimately impact and affect infrastructure. The selected candidate will place a high priority on tracking and processing applications in a complete and timely manner ensuring that deadlines are met, and that customers are provided clear and accurate communication and direction by the staff. Candidates with a record of problem solving, innovation, and working through challenges through collaboration and teamwork will have an advantage. Knowledge and experience with Florida planning and development laws is desired but not required. Excellent writing, communication and listening skills are essential. The ideal candidate will also demonstrate exceptional quantitative and analytical skills. Candidates must possess an ability to operate independently – with confidence while being receptive to constructive suggestions.
Preferred Qualifications
Educational requirements include a Masters’ degree in Planning, Public Administration, or a closely related field; six years of experience in professional planning and management in a comparable community, and at least two years in supervisory experience in a comparable community is preferred. Candidates with a Bachelors’ degree may be considered with additional work experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position. AICP and/or AIA certification is preferred. The selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License. The full salary range is $95,375 – $143,330, and a starting range up to $119,000, DOQ/E. The County offers an excellent benefits package which includes health, dental, and retirement options that include contributing on behalf of the employee toward one of two options with the Florida Retirement System (FRS) and the employee contributing only 3-percent. A deferred compensation matching contribution would also be provided up to $1500. Residency in Collier County is preferred, and temporary housing may be considered for relocation on a case-by-case basis.
For more information, please contact Art Davis at [email protected], or by phone at 816-868-7042.