About the Department

Under the general direction of the City Manager, the Community Development Director provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight of all functions of the Community Development Department, including current planning, long-range planning, building services, permitting, and code enforcement. The Director ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations while guiding growth and development consistent with the community’s vision.

This position serves as a member of the executive leadership team and acts as the primary advisor on land use, development, and regulatory matters to the City Manager, Local Planning Agency, Planning and Zoning Board, and the City Commission.

This is a highly responsible, rewarding, and complex professional and administrative position directing the activities of the City of Treasure Island’s Planning and Community Development Department which includes Planning & Zoning, Code Enforcement, and Building. The area of responsibility encompasses 5.3 square miles consisting of residential, commercial, and waterfront zoning districts that support a population of approximately 7,200 residents.  This position provides leadership and oversight to all department personnel in the pursuit of the City’s redevelopment, coastal resilience, and growth objectives in a vibrant tourism-driven community.

Ideal candidates will have experience overseeing multi-disciplinary teams, municipal planning, development services, and regulatory programs, with a working knowledge of construction or infrastructure projects. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership and policy expertise, a commitment to process improvement, and the ability to balance community goals with development interests — including modernizing codes and streamlining development review processes.

Position Duties

• Plan, coordinate, direct and exercise general supervision over employees engaged in a wide variety of Planning & Zoning, Building, Flood Plain, and Code Enforcement tasks.
• Work with staff to review developers' plans to ensure compliance with zoning and building codes, environmental regulations and economic development policies of the City; formulate recommendations based on the evaluation of the developers' plans and their compliance with applicable ordinances and regulations.
• Compile all financial data necessary to provide an accurate annual operating and capital budget for the Department; control and approve department expenditures.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state and municipal land use and zoning laws.
• Compile, analyze, and publish data on economic, commercial, and community development.
• Coordinate local comprehensive planning efforts with county, state, and regional planning officials.
• Work closely with the Economic Development Director, Public Works, and department staff in preparing, promoting and implementing redevelopment plans and projects.
• In conjunction with the Economic Development Director, provide information and assistance concerning development regulations and procedures to developers, investors and businesses interested in development within the City;
• Provides guidance and assistance as requested to City Management and the Mayor and City Commission, in formulating planning, growth management, development control and economic development policies.
• Acts as advisor to various appointed boards.
• Evaluate the performance of department administrative.
• Responsible for directing and participating in the selection, placement, promotion, training, development, safety, discipline and appraisal of all department personnel.
• Resolve complaints or problems concerning activities of the Department operations; keep the City Manager advised of departmental activities through oral and written reports.
• Prepare proposed resolutions and ordinances for presentation before the City Commission.
• Attend and speak at workshops and meetings in support of proposed resolutions and ordinances.
• Assist with promoting economic development throughout the City.
• Prepare, or direct the conduct of, special studies related to activities of the department and submit recommendations on the viability of proposed development, projects or programs to the City Manager; may conduct special studies or assignments not directly under the department’s area of responsibility.
• Prepare land use and development regulations for review and recommendation by the PZB/LPA to the City Commission.
• Performs related work as required.
• Serves in a staff position as a “confidential” employee.

These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job-related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Engineering, Architecture, or related field; or
• Master’s degree preferred; and
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in municipal government, federal/military engineering, or similar large-scale public-sector administration, two of which should be at a senior management or department head level, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, or
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• American Institute of Certified Planner (AICP) highly desired.

Other Qualifications

• Must exercise considerable independent professional judgment and initiative in solving problems through the application of a thorough knowledge of the City’s code, policies and practices.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees, elected officials, contractors, suppliers, city residents as well as other local, state, and federal agencies as well manage, develop, and mentor diverse teams.
• Knowledge and training in supervisory and leadership practices and procedures.
• Training and experience in job safety requirements for areas of responsibility
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and inwriting.
• Skill in the use of computerized system applications and personal computer software applications.
• Ability to maintain information on a “confidential” basis.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, mentoring and people skills as well as excellent organizational skills.
• Thorough knowledge of laws and ordinances governing planning, development and zoning processes.
• Thorough knowledge of development and planning practices and principles, economic and community development practices, growth management principles, strategic planning procedures and redevelopment principals.
• General knowledge of the principles and practices of building design and construction.
• General knowledge of land use and building construction codes.
• Ability to effectively communicate development plans to the public, private developers, City management and elected officials.
• Ability to manage, direct and supervise professional and clerical staff.