Deputy Director, Planning & Sustainability - Current & Long Range Planning

Salary Range: $140,000+   Job Code: 51005  Pay Grade: 28  FLSA Status: Exempt  

General Summary

The Deputy Director of Long Range & Current Planning is a senior leadership role within the Department of Planning & Sustainability. This position provides strategic, managerial, and technical direction over the County’s long-range planning initiatives and current planning operations, ensuring alignment with DeKalb’s Comprehensive Plan, Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), sustainability goals, and community development priorities.

The Deputy Director oversees a wide portfolio including comprehensive planning, land use and zoning, demographic analysis, community engagement, urban design, historic preservation, corridor studies, neighborhood plans, environmental planning, and development review activities.

This position works closely with the Director, County leadership, elected officials, external agencies, and community stakeholders to guide equitable, sustainable, and well-planned growth across DeKalb County.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provides leadership and direction for Long Range Planning, Current Planning, and Zoning divisions.
• Oversees the development, implementation, and updates of the County’s Comprehensive Plan, Small Area Plans, Corridor Studies, and other long-range policy initiatives.
• Ensures planning activities integrate land use, transportation, housing, economic development, sustainability, and environmental justice principles.
• Advises County leadership and elected officials on planning trends, emerging issues, and policy impacts.

Current Planning & Development Review Oversight

• Manages daily operations for current planning, including zoning analysis, land use amendments, variances, special land use permits, and development review cases.
• Ensures staff reports, recommendations, and presentations to the Planning Commission, Board of Commissioners, and other bodies are accurate, timely, and professionally prepared.
• Oversees development review for consistency with the UDO, Comprehensive Plan, and applicable County codes and policies.

Policy Development & Ordinance Management

• Leads the drafting, analysis, and updating of zoning regulations, land-use policies, and planning-related ordinances.
• Coordinates research and benchmarking on best practices in smart growth, environmental sustainability, mobility, equitable development, and housing policy.
• Ensures code updates and planning policies reflect community values and strategic direction.

Community Engagement & Public Communication

• Designs and leads inclusive, accessible community engagement processes for comprehensive planning and zoning initiatives.
• Serves as a public spokesperson for major planning efforts, public meetings, and outreach events.
• Builds strategic partnerships with neighborhoods, civic groups, business leaders, regional agencies (ARC, GDOT, MARTA), and other stakeholders.

Data, Research & Performance

• Oversees demographic forecasting, GIS analysis, land use inventories, housing studies, and other research needed for long-range planning.
• Implements performance metrics to evaluate division effectiveness, responsiveness, and customer service outcomes.
• Ensures planning documents meet federal, state, and regional requirements for compliance and certification.

Team Leadership & Staff Development

• Supervises managers, senior planners, planning analysts, zoning staff, and administrative personnel.
• Leads recruitment, training, coaching, and performance evaluation of planning staff.
• Promotes a culture of equity, innovation, collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement.

Interagency & Board Coordination

• Coordinates planning-related agenda items for the Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Commissioners, and other advisory boards.
• Ensures smooth operations and communication between Long Range Planning, Current Planning, Development Services, Code Enforcement, Transportation, and other County departments.

Budget & Administration

• Assists in preparing the division’s budget and staffing plan.
• Manages consultant contracts, planning grants, and procurement activities.
• Oversees resource allocation to support strategic planning priorities and high-quality service delivery.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of land use planning, zoning, urban design, environmental planning, mobility planning, and sustainability.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to build consensus and navigate complex political, technical, and community dynamics.
• Skills in long-range planning, strategic thinking, project management, and team leadership.
• Familiarity with GIS, data analysis, and emerging planning technologies.
• Commitment to equity, transparency, and high-quality public service.

 

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office environment with periodic site visits and attendance at evening or weekend meetings as required.

Essential Functions:

Manages, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.

Organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work regarding business development and retention; prioritizes and schedules work activities in order to meet objectives; ensures that subordinates have the proper resources needed to complete the assigned work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; consults with assigned staff to assist with complex/problem situations and provide technical expertise; and provides progress and activity reports to County administrators and elected officials.

Ensures departmental compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures; ensures adherence to established procedures; and initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.

Develops and implements long- and short-term plans, goals, and objectives for area of assignment; collects and analyzes multiple sources of data; evaluates effectiveness and efficiency of department activities; reviews and revises policies, procedures, plans and programs; and researches, assesses, and develops strategies to meet current and future business development and retention needs.

Develops, implements and monitors policies, procedures, and protocols for area of assignment; interprets, explains and implements local, state, and federal laws and regulations; conducts staff meetings; and provides information, updates, and coordination of work activities.

Develops and implements budget for assigned area; recommends staffing levels, equipment, materials and other budget allocations; monitors expenditures to ensure compliance with approved budget; and prepares and submits budget documentation and reports.

Represents the Development Services Department to other County departments, elected officials, outside agencies, and the residential and commercial community; coordinates assigned activities; resolves land development issues; provides guidance and direction and interpretation of County requirements, processes, and initiatives; and negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial development issues.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning or a related field required (Master's degree preferred); eight years of experience in planning, zoning, and development service, with three years of management experience for a comparably sized organization or as a deputy director for a smaller organization; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Specific License or Certification Required:  Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license.  AICP certification is preferred depending on area of assignment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Policy, Public Administration, Architecture, or related field.
• AICP certification (or ability to obtain within 12 months).
• Experience in a high-growth urban or suburban jurisdiction.
• Strong knowledge of Georgia planning law, zoning procedures, and local government operations.
• Experience with Comprehensive Plans, UDO updates, and complex community engagement processes.
• Demonstrated success in process improvement, data analytics, or digital transformation of planning processes