Development Director (Unclassified)

JOB CODE: 3022

PAY GRADE: 2330

SALARY RANGE: $73,836 - $123,392

LOCATION OF WORK
Department of Development

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Under the direction of the Mayor-President, this at-will position directs, manages, supervises, and coordinates the management and operations of the City-Parish Subdivision Office and code enforcement functions. Work involves responsibility for engineering functions involving work plan reviews, field inspections and environmental reviews, flood zone determinations, and FEMA floodplain maps. Work also involves responsibility for residential and commercial permitting; inspections and code enforcement for addressing, building occupancy, and mechanical, plumbing, and electrical needs; and code enforcement for blight elimination involving zoning ordinance compliance, litter elimination, and condemnations and demolitions. Duties include representation of the department in a variety of public forums (e.g. Metro Council meetings) and full management of the assigned services and related activities including financial and engineering planning, operation and maintenance, contract management, and customer service. Performs other work as requested.

ESSENTIAL WORK TASKS
Directs all aspects of East Baton Rouge Subdivision Office and code enforcement functions related to residential and commercial permitting and blight elimination. Directs the review of subdivision constructions plans to ensure compliance with Unified Development Code (UDC) and traffic, drainage, and sewer standards. Directs the enforcement of the municipal building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fire zone, demolition, house numbering, street-cuts, and zoning ordinances and codes. Directs blight elimination and related city codes and ordinances pertaining to signs, housing, litter, overgrowth, abandoned vehicles, garbage containers, and dump sites. Develops and implements goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the assigned service areas, programs, and operations. Recommends and administers policies and procedures. Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; plans, develops, and implements methods and procedures designed to improve operations, minimize operating costs, and promote the most efficient use of labor and material. Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plans of direct reporting managers and support staff; assigns responsibility for work activities, projects, and programs; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems. Negotiates contracts and coordinates at a high level with consultants regarding major projects and activities. Oversees and directs the development and administration of the annual budget including the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies. Oversees and participates in providing customer service to internal and external customers by responding to and resolving escalated sensitive inquiries and complaints; negotiates sensitive and controversial issues. Appears in a variety of public settings to represent the department, including Metro Council meetings, public hearings, public outreach programs, and before various boards and courts to testify in appeals and other legal actions. Plans, monitors, and evaluates the performance of assigned managers and staff; establishes performance requirements and personal development targets; provides feedback to recognize performance or coaching for performance improvement and development; takes disciplinary action, up to and including termination, to address performance deficiencies.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of City-Parish Code of Ordinances, City-Parish Resolutions, and Unified Development Code (UDC). Knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering, particularly as applied to public works projects. Knowledge of the principles and practices of code enforcement and blight elimination. Knowledge of all types of building construction, materials, and methods, and stages of construction when possible violations and defects may be most easily observed and corrected. Knowledge of the municipal building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fire zone, street-cuts, house numbering, and zoning ordinances and related codes. Knowledge of the legal procedures involved in enforcing building codes. Knowledge of the principles and practices of urban redevelopment, urban renewal, and public housing. Knowledge of principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration. Knowledge in providing effective performance feedback and conducting performance appraisals. Ability to plan, schedule, and supervise a large group of professional, paraprofessional, skilled, and semiskilled employees in a variety of engineering and code enforcement activities. Ability to negotiate agreements and contracts. Ability to read and accurately interpret plans, specifications, and blueprints. Ability to manage public works projects. Ability to prepare and administer budgets. Ability to analyze complex operational and administrative problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend and/or implement effective courses of action. Ability to lead the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and management controls. Ability to select, motivate, and evaluate staff and provide for their training and development. Ability to communicate effectively with staff and customers by building trust, establishing partnerships, and developing collaborative problem solving approaches. Ability to represent the City-Parish to the public. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to prepare clear and concise records, reports, correspondence, and other written materials. Ability to make decisions recognizing established precedents and practices, and to use resourcefulness and tact in meeting new problems. Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative within general policy guidelines. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City-Parish officials and managers, representatives from other government entities, engineers, architects, vendors, and contractors.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS