Community Development Director
Corporation of Ranson, Ranson, West Virginia, United States, 25438
Position Summary:
The Director of Community Development is an exempt management level position responsible for providing leadership, management, and professional oversight of the City’s planning, zoning, development review, building and inspection services, and community development functions. The position plays a key role in advancing the City’s long range growth, redevelopment, and land use objectives through effective planning practices, sound code administration, and coordinated public and private investment.
Essential Duties and Tasks: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Plans, organizes, and directs the activities of the Community Development Department, including planning, zoning, development review, building and inspection services, and related community development functions.
Oversees the administration and interpretation of the City’s zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations, and related land use policies to ensure consistent, fair, and legally compliant application.
Manages the review of development proposals, rezoning requests, site plans, subdivisions, and permits, guiding applicants through the development process while ensuring compliance with applicable local, state, and federal requirements.
Serves as staff liaison to the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals, including preparation of staff reports, coordination of agendas, presentation of recommendations, and maintenance of official case records.
Advises and supports the City Manager and City Council on planning, development, urban design, and growth related policy matters, including evaluation of fiscal, infrastructure, and community impacts.
Coordinates with other City departments to align development activity with infrastructure capacity, capital planning, transportation, utilities, and operational considerations.
Supports and participates in community and economic development initiatives in coordination with the City Manager, including engagement with developers, property owners, businesses, and regional partners.
Monitors emerging trends, regulatory changes, and best practices related to planning, development, and economic growth, and recommends updates to policies, procedures, and ordinances as appropriate.
Supervises and evaluates department staff, establishes performance expectations, supports professional development, and ensures effective workload management.
Responds to public inquiries and resolves complaints related to planning, zoning, and development matters in a professional and timely manner.
Minimum Qualifications: Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public administration, business administration, political science, or a closely related field, with at least five years of progressively responsible experience in planning, zoning, community development, or development services, including supervisory or management experience.
An equivalent combination of education, training, and progressively responsible experience may be considered.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: The following are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully:
Knowledge of land use planning, zoning administration, development review processes, and applicable regulatory requirements.
Ability to interpret and apply ordinances and policies in a consistent, fair, and legally compliant manner.
Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with elected officials, boards, staff, developers, and the public.
Ability to manage complex development issues, balance competing interests, and support broader community and economic development objectives.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
This position is primarily office based and sedentary in nature, with occasional site visits and field inspections related to development activity.
Work requires regular use of standard office equipment and extended periods of computer use.
The position requires the ability to attend meetings and public hearings outside of normal business hours, including evenings as needed.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, and nothing herein restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
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Essential Duties and Tasks: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Plans, organizes, and directs the activities of the Community Development Department, including planning, zoning, development review, building and inspection services, and related community development functions.
Oversees the administration and interpretation of the City’s zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations, and related land use policies to ensure consistent, fair, and legally compliant application.
Manages the review of development proposals, rezoning requests, site plans, subdivisions, and permits, guiding applicants through the development process while ensuring compliance with applicable local, state, and federal requirements.
Serves as staff liaison to the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals, including preparation of staff reports, coordination of agendas, presentation of recommendations, and maintenance of official case records.
Advises and supports the City Manager and City Council on planning, development, urban design, and growth related policy matters, including evaluation of fiscal, infrastructure, and community impacts.
Coordinates with other City departments to align development activity with infrastructure capacity, capital planning, transportation, utilities, and operational considerations.
Supports and participates in community and economic development initiatives in coordination with the City Manager, including engagement with developers, property owners, businesses, and regional partners.
Monitors emerging trends, regulatory changes, and best practices related to planning, development, and economic growth, and recommends updates to policies, procedures, and ordinances as appropriate.
Supervises and evaluates department staff, establishes performance expectations, supports professional development, and ensures effective workload management.
Responds to public inquiries and resolves complaints related to planning, zoning, and development matters in a professional and timely manner.
Minimum Qualifications: Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public administration, business administration, political science, or a closely related field, with at least five years of progressively responsible experience in planning, zoning, community development, or development services, including supervisory or management experience.
An equivalent combination of education, training, and progressively responsible experience may be considered.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: The following are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully:
Knowledge of land use planning, zoning administration, development review processes, and applicable regulatory requirements.
Ability to interpret and apply ordinances and policies in a consistent, fair, and legally compliant manner.
Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with elected officials, boards, staff, developers, and the public.
Ability to manage complex development issues, balance competing interests, and support broader community and economic development objectives.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
This position is primarily office based and sedentary in nature, with occasional site visits and field inspections related to development activity.
Work requires regular use of standard office equipment and extended periods of computer use.
The position requires the ability to attend meetings and public hearings outside of normal business hours, including evenings as needed.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, and nothing herein restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
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