Planning and Development Director (6/2026)

Planning And Development Director

This position is responsible for directing the city's planning, zoning, and development functions. Job duties consist of varied management, supervisory, and professional planning duties. Successful performance contributes to positive city growth and to the enforcement of city codes and ordinances. FLSA status is Exempt.
The following duties are normal for this classification. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or logical assignments for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned. Specific duties listed may not be required for all positions in this classification, but are determined by the normal requirements for this particular position.
PLANNING AND ENFORCEMENT DUTIES (35%) Plans and directs the city's planning and zoning operations. Maintains and administers the city's zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, flood damage prevention ordinance, and other related development regulations. Ensures the enforcement of relevant codes and ordinances. Directs the issuance of permits. Serves on related boards. Coordinates the development and administration of the Comprehensive Master Plan and of long- and short-term plans. Serves as the city's floodplain administrator. (Prattville is a Class 8 CRS Community). PERSONNEL & OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT (25%) Trains, assigns, directs, supervises, evaluates and participates in the hiring and discipline process of department personnel. Reviews and approves payroll and leave requests. Assists other departments. Prepares and administers the annual department budget. Prepares and completes required reports. Develops and implements policies and procedures. Supervises the GIS Coordinator and various geographic information and mapping functions. Supervises the Building Official. Ensures compliance with rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Advises and provides staff support to Board of Zoning Adjustment, Planning Commission, and the Historic Preservation Commission, and other related boards. REGULATION RESPONSIBILITIES (20%) Assists with subdivision designs and reviews. Handles zoning changes. Interprets codes and regulations. Coordinates plan review process among the various development related departments and staff. PROJECT MANAGEMENT DUTIES (10%) Solicits, prepares and presents capital improvement plans to the Mayor. Prepares preliminary cost estimates for projects. OTHER RELATED DUTIES (10%) May research, manage, monitor, assist, and report on federal and state grants. Attends department head, council and other meetings as needed or required. Performs other duties as assigned or needed.
Bachelors' Degree in Environmental Studies, Urban Planning, Architecture, Public Administration or a related field from an accredited institution is required. Master's Degree with a strong foundation in Urban Planning from an accredited institution, preferred. Five (5) years' of progressively responsible experience in a related field preferably in a municipal government. Certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) preferred. Working Knowledge of GIS and Mapping Systems. Five (5) years of supervisory experience.
The following requirements are normal for this classification. Specific requirements may not apply to all positions within this classification but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position. Job duties are typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing, or stooping. Employees occasionally lift light objects, distinguishes between shades of color, and utilizes the sense of smell. Job duties are typically performed in an office and outdoors, occasionally in extreme or inclement weather. Employees may be exposed to dust, dirt, grease, and machinery with moving parts. Job duties require the ability to deal with and relate to people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Job duties require the ability to talk, express, or exchange ideas by means of spoken words and/or hear and perceive the nature of sounds by ear. Job candidates must be able to adapt to and perform under moderate stress. Job duties require regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.
Knowledge of city and department policies and procedures. Knowledge of state and federal regulations and standards for public works infrastructure design. Knowledge of planning and zoning theories, principles, and practices. Knowledge of land use, zoning, and subdivision laws and regulations. Knowledge of city ordinances and codes. Knowledge of computers and job-related software programs. Knowledge of personnel and budget management principles. Skill in prioritizing and planning while managing multiple projects. Skill in using independent judgment and discretion. Skill in prioritizing, scheduling, and delegating assignments. Skill in reading plans. Skill in interpreting ordinances and laws. Skill in oral and written communication. Skill in working under pressure and meeting deadlines. Skill in problem-solving. Skill in management and supervision. Skill in interpersonal relations. Ability to interpret plans, proposals, reports, and maps. Ability to establish credibility in the area of expertise.
Must provide proof of your legal right to work in the United States. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license. Willing to work on-call. Willing to cooperate with the workload of the department. Willing to attend continuing education courses. Willing to travel. Willing to comply with City of Prattville rules and regulations. Must submit to drug screenings for this safety sensitive position. Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.
The City of Prattville offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, sick, and holiday leave as well as medical, dental, vision, and short term disability insurance. Benefits coverage is effective on the first day of the month following a 30 day waiting period for new hires. Late enrollees are subject to approval by the insurance company. Group Medical Benefits - Through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, benefits provide members with hospitalization, office visits, and Prescription drugs (Administered through Express Scripts). Family, 2 person and individual plans are available. Complete benefits information is available in the plan document. City of Prattville Health & Wellness Center -The City of Prattville offers an on-site wellness center to employees covered under the group health insurance plan. The Wellness Center offers convenient, co-pay free medical and prescription drug coverage for employees and their dependents. Group Life Insurance -all regular employees receive a life insurance policy. Employees with less than 10 years of service receive a $10,000 policy and employees with 10 years of service or more receive a $20,000 policy. Retirement -Through the Retirement Systems of Alabama, this benefit requires mandatory enrollment for all regular employees as of the first day of employment. Employees are classified as Tier I or Tier I (A) with the Retirement Systems of Alabama. The employee pays a percentage of all gross income specified by RSA. The City provides a matching amount determined by RSA. A Tier I employee is an employee who was a member of the Retirement Systems of Alabama prior to January 1, 2013. A Tier I employee may retire if he/she has 25 years of retirement service, or is age 60 with 10 years of service with the Retirement Systems of Alabama. (Regular Members 5% of earnable compensation; Full time, Certified Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers 6% of earnable compensation.) A Tier I (A) employee is an employee who became a member of the Retirement Systems of Alabama after January 1, 2013, and by local resolution and Act 2019-32 by the Alabama Legislature became a Tier 1 employee. A Tier I (A) employee may retire if he/she has 25 years of retirement service, or is age 60 with 10 years of service with the Retirement Systems of Alabama. (Regular Members 7.5% of earnable compensation; Full time, Certified Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers 8.5% of earnable compensation.) Deferred Compensation (457 Plans) -Voluntary participation allows the employee to lower taxable income, and pay tax on the deferred income in the year of distribution. The City has 457 Plans through Nationwide Retirement, AIG Valic Financial Advisors, RSA-1, and Alabama Deferred Compensation. The employee may contribute up to the current allowable limits. All regular employees are eligible on the first day of employment. Supplemental Insurance -Employees may obtain coverage for Dental, Cancer, Disability, Accident, and Life Insurance. The City of Prattville offers payroll deduction for supplemental insurance. The employee pays for all supplemental insurance coverage. You are eligible upon purchasing coverage and meeting eligibility requirements. Flexible Spending Account -Allows employees to lower their taxable income by placing certain insurance premiums under this plan. Also, offers unreimbursed medical/dental expense benefits, as well as daycare expense benefits. Vacation Leave - 8 Hour Employees Vacation leave is earned at the following accrual rates for regular full-time employees. Completed 6 months - 40 hours (5 days) Completed 1 year - 40 hours (5 days) Completed 2nd year through 9th year accrues 80 hours (10 days) per year 10 years through 15 years accrues 120 hours (15 days) per year 16 years and over accrues 160 hours (20 days) per year The maximum vacation leave that may be accrued is 360 hours for 8-hour shift employees. The City administers the time and pays for accrued leave time. 12 Hour Employees ( Watewater ) Vacation leave is earned at the following accrual rates for regular full-time employees. Completed 6 months - 42 hours (3.