DeKalb County Government · 6 days ago
Deputy Director, Planning & Sustainability
Decatur, GA
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
8+ years expDeKalb County Government is seeking a Deputy Director for Planning & Sustainability, a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing long-range planning initiatives and current planning operations. The role involves strategic direction, policy development, community engagement, and ensuring compliance with planning regulations to support sustainable growth in DeKalb County.
Government
Responsibilities
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
Provides leadership and direction for Long Range Planning, Current Planning, and Zoning divisions
Oversees the development, implementation, and updates of the County’s Comprehensive Plan, Small Area Plans, Corridor Studies, and other long-range policy initiatives
Ensures planning activities integrate land use, transportation, housing, economic development, sustainability, and environmental justice principles
Advises County leadership and elected officials on planning trends, emerging issues, and policy impacts
Manages daily operations for current planning, including zoning analysis, land use amendments, variances, special land use permits, and development review cases
Ensures staff reports, recommendations, and presentations to the Planning Commission, Board of Commissioners, and other bodies are accurate, timely, and professionally prepared
Oversees development review for consistency with the UDO, Comprehensive Plan, and applicable County codes and policies
Leads the drafting, analysis, and updating of zoning regulations, land-use policies, and planning-related ordinances
Coordinates research and benchmarking on best practices in smart growth, environmental sustainability, mobility, equitable development, and housing policy
Ensures code updates and planning policies reflect community values and strategic direction
Designs and leads inclusive, accessible community engagement processes for comprehensive planning and zoning initiatives
Serves as a public spokesperson for major planning efforts, public meetings, and outreach events
Builds strategic partnerships with neighborhoods, civic groups, business leaders, regional agencies (ARC, GDOT, MARTA), and other stakeholders
Oversees demographic forecasting, GIS analysis, land use inventories, housing studies, and other research needed for long-range planning
Implements performance metrics to evaluate division effectiveness, responsiveness, and customer service outcomes
Ensures planning documents meet federal, state, and regional requirements for compliance and certification
Supervises managers, senior planners, planning analysts, zoning staff, and administrative personnel
Leads recruitment, training, coaching, and performance evaluation of planning staff
Promotes a culture of equity, innovation, collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement
Coordinates planning-related agenda items for the Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Commissioners, and other advisory boards
Ensures smooth operations and communication between Long Range Planning, Current Planning, Development Services, Code Enforcement, Transportation, and other County departments
Assists in preparing the division’s budget and staffing plan
Manages consultant contracts, planning grants, and procurement activities
Oversees resource allocation to support strategic planning priorities and high-quality service delivery
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Urban and Regional Planning or a related field required
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
Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver's license
Preferred
Master's degree in Urban Planning, Public Policy, Public Administration, Architecture, or related field
AICP certification (or ability to obtain within 12 months)
Experience in a high-growth urban or suburban jurisdiction
Strong knowledge of Georgia planning law, zoning procedures, and local government operations
Experience with Comprehensive Plans, UDO updates, and complex community engagement processes
Demonstrated success in process improvement, data analytics, or digital transformation of planning processes
Demonstrated success implementing customer service improvements and cross-departmental workflow integration
AICP certification, ICC certifications, or Georgia Building Official credentials preferred but not required
Experience with large urban jurisdictions or high-volume permitting environments preferred but not required
Strong background in Lean Six Sigma, process mapping, performance management, or digital permitting transformation preferred but not required
Company
DeKalb County Government
DeKalb County Government known for its business and education hub, growing international community and natural wonders administered by CEO.
5001-10000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Alan Ferguson
Chief Housing Officer
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