Weld County
## Compensation Range$122,782.40 - $171,912.00--## Job Description SummaryThe Deputy Planning Director supports the Planning Director in managing day-to-day operations, staff leadership, policy implementation, and interdepartmental coordination across the four divisions of Planning & Development Services: Planning, Development Review, Building, and Office Management. Reporting to the Planning Director, the Deputy Director plays a pivotal leadership role in implementing the department's strategic plan, mentoring rising leaders, and ensuring operational excellence across all planning and development services functions.
Leadership Values and Culture
The Deputy Director is expected to champion leadership values and a workplace culture that is consistent with Weld County's goals and values, including:
• Servant Leadership: Leading with humility, prioritizing the growth and success of team members while embodying the principle that leaders must add value to others.
• Vision and Integrity: Inspiring trust by aligning department operations with a clear vision, grounded in integrity, transparency, and accountability.
• Empowerment and Growth: Creating a culture of mentorship, continuous learning, and personal growth, empowering staff to take ownership of their work.
• Collaboration and Influence: Building strong relationships across departments and with external partners by fostering collaboration and the Law of Connection.
• Ethics and Responsibility: Upholding the APA Code of Ethics by balancing community needs, sustainability, and responsible land use decision-making.
• Adaptability and Innovation: Encouraging a growth mindset, embracing new ideas, technologies, and strategies that enhance both team performance and public service delivery.
• Community-Centered Leadership: Aligning the department's work with Weld County's values while promoting inclusivity, public engagement, and a forward-thinking approach to internal operations.
Leadership & Management of Department Divisions
This role does not replace division managers but strengthens consistency, expectations, and cross-functional communication.
Planning Division
• Support the Planning Manager in long-range planning, policy development, public engagement, and major planning initiatives.
• Provide guidance on Planning Commission (PC) and Board of Adjustment (BOA) preparations, but the Planning Manager remains the primary staff lead.
• Attend hearings strategically (e.g., BOCC, complex or policy-heavy PC cases when the Planning Director cannot) to support staff without creating unnecessary overlap or an excessively "top-heavy" presence.
• Ensure alignment between long-range planning work, development-related policies, and countywide planning objectives.
Development Review Division
• Support the Development Review Manager in applying the updated land use workflows and policies and ensuring consistency in review performance and overarching processes with other departments.
• Assist with complex or multi-jurisdiction applications, but the Manager remains responsible for day-to-day case management and board communications.
• Support department goals between Planning, Engineering, OGED, Public Works, Environmental Health and external agencies.
Building Division
• Support the Building Official in code interpretation, permitting workflow expectations, customer service, and alignment with departmental processes.
• Help prioritize staffing, training, and cross-training to ensure strong operational coverage.
• Strategize with the Building Official on improving review efficiencies and customer engagement.
• Provide administrative and policy support on building code updates and process improvements.
Office Management / Administrative
• Support the Office Manager in customer service standards, communications, and public-facing document management.
• Strengthen cross-divisional workflow between administrative staff and planners, engineers, and building staff.--## Job Description**Internal Leadership and Organizational Health - 40%*** Champion a positive, transparent, and accountable workplace culture rooted in trust and empowerment.* Support the Director in managing the department-wide updates, including consultant coordination and interdepartmental involvement.* Support the Director in finding new technologies, projects and avenues to increase departmental efficiency.* Mentor staff and managers; identify and cultivate leadership potential throughout the department.* Oversee internal operations, team workflows, and daily performance, ensuring alignment with department priorities.* Represent the county as needed—but strategically—in meetings with municipalities, state agencies, and stakeholder groups.* Lead or assist with implementation of process-improvement initiatives, digital services, and GIS enhancements.* Provide support on complex land-use applications, but avoid duplicating responsibilities already assigned to division managers.* This position will have the division managers as direct reports.**Operational Oversight and Process Improvement - 30%*** Ensure excellence in service delivery across long-range planning, development review, permitting, zoning administration, and code compliance.* Monitor key performance indicators and adjust processes to improve efficiency and responsiveness.* Collaborate with staff to ensure applications, inquiries, and citizen services are handled professionally and expediently.* Drive implementation of new systems or policy updates, including technology platforms and procedural reforms.**People and Team Management - 20%*** Assist internal division human resources staff liaison in the overall hiring, onboarding, evaluations, performance improvement (disciplinary action), and succession planning efforts.* Work collaboratively with admin staff liaison, HR, Legal, and the Director on reclassifications, promotions, and disciplinary actions.* This position will help manage outside contracts and consultant projects.**Strategic and Cross-Departmental Support - 10%*** Represent the department in strategic initiatives and interdepartmental collaborations.* Coordinate with County leadership, legal counsel, and elected officials as needed.* Align internal operations with the County’s Strategic Plan and the Planning Director’s vision.* Provide executive support in presentations, budget preparation, and external communications.--## Required Qualifications**Required Education*** Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, or related field.**Experience Qualifications*** 7 years progressively responsible experience in planning, community development, or related field.* 3 years of experience in team management , supervision, or departmental leadership.* Demonstrated experience coaching staff, resolving personnel matters, and managing internal operations.**Preferred Education*** Master's Degree in Urban or Regional Planning, Public Administration, or Organizational Leadership.**Preferred Experience*** 3 years working directly with local government planning and development services.* Familiarity with Colorado land use statutes, zoning codes, and public process requirements.**Skills and Abilities*** **Leadership & Organizational Skills*** Proven ability to mentor and develop high-performing teams.* Strong decision-making skills under pressure while maintaining a balanced, people-first approach.* Ability to navigate complex political and community dynamics with diplomacy and professionalism.* **Planning & Development Expertise*** Advanced knowledge of planning principles, land use codes, zoning, and development review processes.* Understanding of urban/rural growth dynamics, infrastructure planning, and comprehensive planning.* Experience interpreting and implementing APA best practices in planning, zoning, and public engagement.* #J-18808-Ljbffr
Leadership Values and Culture
The Deputy Director is expected to champion leadership values and a workplace culture that is consistent with Weld County's goals and values, including:
• Servant Leadership: Leading with humility, prioritizing the growth and success of team members while embodying the principle that leaders must add value to others.
• Vision and Integrity: Inspiring trust by aligning department operations with a clear vision, grounded in integrity, transparency, and accountability.
• Empowerment and Growth: Creating a culture of mentorship, continuous learning, and personal growth, empowering staff to take ownership of their work.
• Collaboration and Influence: Building strong relationships across departments and with external partners by fostering collaboration and the Law of Connection.
• Ethics and Responsibility: Upholding the APA Code of Ethics by balancing community needs, sustainability, and responsible land use decision-making.
• Adaptability and Innovation: Encouraging a growth mindset, embracing new ideas, technologies, and strategies that enhance both team performance and public service delivery.
• Community-Centered Leadership: Aligning the department's work with Weld County's values while promoting inclusivity, public engagement, and a forward-thinking approach to internal operations.
Leadership & Management of Department Divisions
This role does not replace division managers but strengthens consistency, expectations, and cross-functional communication.
Planning Division
• Support the Planning Manager in long-range planning, policy development, public engagement, and major planning initiatives.
• Provide guidance on Planning Commission (PC) and Board of Adjustment (BOA) preparations, but the Planning Manager remains the primary staff lead.
• Attend hearings strategically (e.g., BOCC, complex or policy-heavy PC cases when the Planning Director cannot) to support staff without creating unnecessary overlap or an excessively "top-heavy" presence.
• Ensure alignment between long-range planning work, development-related policies, and countywide planning objectives.
Development Review Division
• Support the Development Review Manager in applying the updated land use workflows and policies and ensuring consistency in review performance and overarching processes with other departments.
• Assist with complex or multi-jurisdiction applications, but the Manager remains responsible for day-to-day case management and board communications.
• Support department goals between Planning, Engineering, OGED, Public Works, Environmental Health and external agencies.
Building Division
• Support the Building Official in code interpretation, permitting workflow expectations, customer service, and alignment with departmental processes.
• Help prioritize staffing, training, and cross-training to ensure strong operational coverage.
• Strategize with the Building Official on improving review efficiencies and customer engagement.
• Provide administrative and policy support on building code updates and process improvements.
Office Management / Administrative
• Support the Office Manager in customer service standards, communications, and public-facing document management.
• Strengthen cross-divisional workflow between administrative staff and planners, engineers, and building staff.--## Job Description**Internal Leadership and Organizational Health - 40%*** Champion a positive, transparent, and accountable workplace culture rooted in trust and empowerment.* Support the Director in managing the department-wide updates, including consultant coordination and interdepartmental involvement.* Support the Director in finding new technologies, projects and avenues to increase departmental efficiency.* Mentor staff and managers; identify and cultivate leadership potential throughout the department.* Oversee internal operations, team workflows, and daily performance, ensuring alignment with department priorities.* Represent the county as needed—but strategically—in meetings with municipalities, state agencies, and stakeholder groups.* Lead or assist with implementation of process-improvement initiatives, digital services, and GIS enhancements.* Provide support on complex land-use applications, but avoid duplicating responsibilities already assigned to division managers.* This position will have the division managers as direct reports.**Operational Oversight and Process Improvement - 30%*** Ensure excellence in service delivery across long-range planning, development review, permitting, zoning administration, and code compliance.* Monitor key performance indicators and adjust processes to improve efficiency and responsiveness.* Collaborate with staff to ensure applications, inquiries, and citizen services are handled professionally and expediently.* Drive implementation of new systems or policy updates, including technology platforms and procedural reforms.**People and Team Management - 20%*** Assist internal division human resources staff liaison in the overall hiring, onboarding, evaluations, performance improvement (disciplinary action), and succession planning efforts.* Work collaboratively with admin staff liaison, HR, Legal, and the Director on reclassifications, promotions, and disciplinary actions.* This position will help manage outside contracts and consultant projects.**Strategic and Cross-Departmental Support - 10%*** Represent the department in strategic initiatives and interdepartmental collaborations.* Coordinate with County leadership, legal counsel, and elected officials as needed.* Align internal operations with the County’s Strategic Plan and the Planning Director’s vision.* Provide executive support in presentations, budget preparation, and external communications.--## Required Qualifications**Required Education*** Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, or related field.**Experience Qualifications*** 7 years progressively responsible experience in planning, community development, or related field.* 3 years of experience in team management , supervision, or departmental leadership.* Demonstrated experience coaching staff, resolving personnel matters, and managing internal operations.**Preferred Education*** Master's Degree in Urban or Regional Planning, Public Administration, or Organizational Leadership.**Preferred Experience*** 3 years working directly with local government planning and development services.* Familiarity with Colorado land use statutes, zoning codes, and public process requirements.**Skills and Abilities*** **Leadership & Organizational Skills*** Proven ability to mentor and develop high-performing teams.* Strong decision-making skills under pressure while maintaining a balanced, people-first approach.* Ability to navigate complex political and community dynamics with diplomacy and professionalism.* **Planning & Development Expertise*** Advanced knowledge of planning principles, land use codes, zoning, and development review processes.* Understanding of urban/rural growth dynamics, infrastructure planning, and comprehensive planning.* Experience interpreting and implementing APA best practices in planning, zoning, and public engagement.* #J-18808-Ljbffr