Director of Planning & Development

The City of Tampa offers many opportunities to build a rewarding career in public service. Our employees play a key role in keeping our city running, engaging with residents, solving problems, and helping to build a brighter future for our city. In addition, City employees have access to many generous benefits, paid annual leave, competitive pay, and more.  There are many advantages to working for City Government and we look forward to welcoming talented, driven, and enthusiastic individuals to join our team.

Reporting to the Administrator for Development and Economic Opportunity, an employee in this class of work plans, develops, organizes, schedules, and directs all activities of the consolidated Development Services Center which includes Construction Services, Planning Services and the Division of  Architectural Review & Historic Preservation. The role includes management of plan review, permitting, and building inspections; land development, zoning, subdivision review, and related matters. Work is of unusual difficulty requiring the exercise of extensive initiative and independent judgment. Work is reviewed through conferences, reports submitted, and results achieved. Appointed position; employee serves at the pleasure of the Mayor.

• Develops and directs programs for, and directs staff in, coordinating land development as required by the city comprehensive plan including regulations dealing with such areas as subdivisions, rights-of-way and zoning; conducting inspection and regulation of residential and commercial building construction, including building alterations and additions. 
• Directs and executes technical and administrative policies and procedures for the effective performance of departmental functions; facilitates the development of a common vision for growth and development.  
• Confers with attorneys, architects, engineers, developers, and others regarding compliance with land development, zoning, construction, building, and other codes and ordinances.  
• Coordinates business and development activities with other city departments and governmental agencies as appropriate.
• Coordinates the implementation of the Mayor’s Development Services Advisory report recommendations issued November 21, 2020 and all other development-related initiatives.
• Mayor’s Staff meetings; makes presentations to City Council; makes speeches and presentations for department related activities.  
• Prepares reports and correspondence; assigns, develops, and evaluates staff; manages unit budget and work processes.  
• Performs related work as required.

Comprehensive knowledge of:  modern management practices and procedures; social, economic, and physical factors influencing community development and improvement.   

Considerable knowledge of:  planning and zoning, housing, building and energy codes, and construction practices in the building industry; federal and state laws and guidelines relating to job duties.   

Working knowledge of:  public financing principles, loan processing procedures, and practices used in construction contracts.   

Ability to:  plan, assign, direct, and coordinate the work of professional, para-professional, and clerical employees in a manner that promotes full performance; write and speak clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings; establish and maintain effective working relationships with city officials, directors, managers, and employees, contractors, architects and developers, and the general public; read and interpret building material and construction standards, plans, blueprints, and specifications; set clear objectives and measures and monitor process, progress and results.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in planning, zoning, economic development, construction or related field and five (5) years progressively responsible experience in planning and zoning, housing, building and energy codes, and construction including three (3) years of senior level managerial experience.    

Possession of a valid drivers license required.

Evaluation of education and experience. Drug testing is included in all pre-employment processing.

During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.

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