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Deputy Director, Advance Planning (Regional Planning)
Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning / Los Angeles, CA
Posted on: July 19, 2021
Application Deadline: August 16, 2021 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time
Job Description
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, ADVANCE PLANNING
The Deputy Director, Advance Planning position is unclassified and reports to the Chief Deputy Director, Regional Planning. The position assists with the overall management of the Department, with particular responsibility for directing, through subordinate supervisors, the advance planning functions of the department, including long range and community planning and policy development. Incumbents must exercise a thorough knowledge of a wide range of technical planning principles, as well as the principles of organizational management sufficient to plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the work of the division. Additionally, the Deputy Director, Advance Planning must possess a thorough, hands on knowledge of the general principals of all aspects of planning, such as land development, community development, housing, historic preservation and environmental planning. There are three Deputy Directors in the Department, each responsible for one of the following Divisions: Current Planning, Land Use Regulation, and Advance Planning.
THE ADVANCE PLANNING DIVISION
The Deputy Director of the Advanced Planning Division manages 30 personnel composed of section heads, technical experts, and biologists who respond to priority projects of the Board of Supervisors. The Division has six sections with a budget of nearly $7 million. There are two community focused planning groups, a housing policy group and General Plan/TOD group, a Countywide ordinances group, including historic preservation, and an environmental planning and sustainability group, which includes planners and a team of biologists who support the planning work and help advance environmental awareness and issues related to resource conservation.
These six sections each have a special focus to achieve the priorities of the Board of Supervisors. These projects include the supply of housing, affordable housing, environmental protection, environmental justice, climate change, and other important issues related to land use. This division is also responsible for ongoing updates and modernization of plans and ordinances. Experts in this division explore land use issues and make recommendations by communicating with multiple
stakeholders, including engaging the public at meetings, events and online using social media platforms.
The Advance Planning Division is currently updating the County’s Housing Element and Safety Element, as well as preparing two Area Plans, multiple specific plans and/or transit oriented development plans, as well as numerous community standards districts.
Required Experience / Skills / Education
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will be a proven leader with experience or strong knowledge regarding updating general plan elements, zoning codes and specific plans, community engagement with active stakeholder groups, and working in a fast-paced environment. This includes the necessary management and leadership skills to direct and guide the Division’s staff in developing and implementing operational efficiencies, thereby enhancing customer service. The ideal candidate must have proven experience in successfully leading changes that resulted in tangible organizational improvements, and the ability to recognize new approaches. The ability to offer constructive solutions will be critical.
This position requires an active, working leader and manager. As such, the ideal candidate will be a seasoned manager who offers support, mentoring, and optimism, and who spends time developing staff technical and leadership skills. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of building relationships with elected and appointed officials, and community stakeholders.
QUALIFICATIONS
A Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Urban Design or a closely related field and five years’ progressively responsible experience in city, county, or regional planning within the State of California. One year of experience must have included responsibility for formulating policy and in assigning and evaluating through staff, work related to land use planning, transportation policy, environmental justice, and long range policy development for a city or other geographic region with a population of at least 50,000 residents within the State of California.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
• Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Urban Design or a closely related field.
• Member of the American Institute of Certified Planners of the American Planning Association.
• Demonstrated community engagement experience with diverse community groups, private or public agencies, and planning organizations of federal, state, county, or city agencies.
• Demonstrated management skills in project development, master planning, budget administration, contract administration, strategic planning and other administrative areas involved in a planning
department.
• Demonstrated experience in leadership, mentoring, team building, and conflict resolution.
• Excellent project management and presentation skills, including oral and written communications.
• Active, firm, and fair manager who sets expectations, delegates and ensures accountability.
Application Instructions
For additional information and to apply for this job, please click here.
For confidential inquiries, contact:
LaTanya L. Hill, JD Executive Recruiter Talent
Acquisition Division Department of Human Resources
Telephone: (323) 428-0745
E-mail: Lhill@hr.lacounty.gov