Strategic Planning Manager jobs in Billings, MT

Click here to view Planning Division Manager Job Announcement

Salary Range: $89,254.67 - $119,556.32 annually, salary reflects Step 1 and Step 7 of a 7-step pay scale. Salary at hiring is dependent upon the applicant's education, experience, and training. 

Job Summary:

Under administrative direction, to direct, manage, supervise, and coordinate the City/County Planning Division programs and activities; to coordinate assigned activities with other City and County departments, divisions, and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Planning and Community Services Department Director.

Scope of Responsibility:

Responsibility requires application of professional/managerial principles and judgment, within overall direction established by senior management, which affects a large work unit or several smaller units, 10% to 30% of the organization, with large financial impact.  Solves complex technical or strategic problems, applies technology or business approaches in new ways; develops and recommends new alternatives.  Failures and successes affect short-term performance of the organization and financial impact on the overall organization is significant.  Requires regular interaction to communicate or negotiate important agreements, requiring considerable tact, sense of timing and the ability to engender trust, plus sensitivity to diverse audiences, where relationships affect morale of major work units and/or development, and maintenance of relationships with key customers or vendors. 

Supervision

• Select, train, motivate and evaluate assigned personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
• In coordination with the Transportation Planning Coordinator and Zoning Coordinator, plan, direct, coordinate, and review the work plan for the Planning Division; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems; assign work activities, projects and programs; monitor work flow; review and evaluate work products, methods and procedures to ensure that correct, efficient, cost effective, and safe work procedures are followed.

Division Operations

• Oversee management responsibility for the Planning Division programs, services and activities in coordination with the Transportation Planning Coordinator and Zoning Coordinator. 
• Manage and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs; recommend, within Departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; in coordination with the Transportation Planning Coordinator and Zoning Coordinator assess and monitor work load, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement and review with the Planning and Community Services Director; direct the implementation of improvements.
• Oversee organizational studies, investigations, operational studies and special projects including manpower, material, and equipment utilization studies; with support of Transportation Planning Coordinator and Zoning Coordinator recommend modifications to Planning Division programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate to improve efficiency and cost effectiveness of operations.
• Participate on a variety of boards and commissions; attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends, innovations and regulations in the field.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive inquiries and complaints.
• Serve as a liaison and assign liaison responsibilities as applicable to the Transportation Planning Coordinator and Zoning Coordinator for the Planning Division with other City and County departments, divisions, contractors, builders, engineers, developers, architects, a variety of outside agencies and the general public in acquiring and providing information and coordinating services and activities; negotiate and resolve significant and controversial issues.
• Provide responsible staff assistance to the Planning and Community Services Director; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence; participate with the Transportation Planning Coordinator and Zoning Coordinator in providing technical presentations to the City Administrator, City Council, Yellowstone County Board of Commissioners and various groups and agencies.
• Ensure the Zoning Coordinator provides support and direction to staff for the review and processing of zone changes, special reviews, and variances

• Provide support and direction to staff for the review and processing of subdivision and annexation applications, and for long range land use planning efforts.  
• Ensure the Transportation Planning Coordinator provides support and direction to staff and the Division for long range transportation  planning projects; support the Transportation Planning Coordinator in carrying out the development of the Annual Unified Planning Work Program for the Federal Transportation Planning Funds
• Review divisional reports and rely on the Transportation Planning Coordinator and Zoning Coordinator to ensure Division compliance with appropriate departmental and City rules, regulations and policies as well as appropriate local, county, state and federal laws.

Financial

• Manage and participate in the development and administration of the Planning Division's annual budget; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; direct the monitoring of and approve expenditures; direct and implement adjustments as necessary; rely on the Transportation Planning Coordinator and Zoning Coordinator for recommendations during the budget process and to carry out financial operations of the Division.
• Provide forecasts of Division revenue and expenditure requirements 
• Participate in the preparation and review of specifications for equipment and material purchases.
• Participate in selection and coordination of Local, State and Federal grant opportunities with Planning and Community Services Director, Transportation Planning Coordinator and City Grants Coordinator.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• Four (4) year degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, public administration, or a related field
• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible work in state, regional, or local planning
• Management and supervisory experience
• American Institute of Certified Planners certification or must be obtained within eighteen (18) months of employment
• Must possess a valid Montana driver’s license or must be obtained within thirty (30) days of employment. 

Working conditions require moderate physical effort, moving between 5 and 25 pounds, where effort is intermittent, less than 15% of the time.  Working conditions require high attention to detail and deadlines frequently (between 45% and 70% of the time).  A typical workday involves exposure to one disagreeable element present, on an occasional basis (between 15% and 45% of the time).  Frequent driving is required.

Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.  All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required.  To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise.  The City retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.