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DeKalb County Government · 1 week ago

Deputy Director, Planning & Sustainability - Current & Long Range Planning

Decatur, GA

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

$140K/yr - $140K/yr

8+ years exp

DeKalb County Government is seeking a Deputy Director of Long Range & Current Planning, which is a senior leadership role within the Department of Planning & Sustainability. This position provides strategic, managerial, and technical direction over the County’s long-range planning initiatives and current planning operations, ensuring alignment with DeKalb’s Comprehensive Plan and sustainability goals.

Government

Responsibilities

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

Urban PlanningZoningSustainabilityCommunity EngagementGISData AnalysisProject ManagementConsensus BuildingEquity CommitmentInterpersonal CommunicationStrategic ThinkingTeam Leadership