General Manager of Planning and Community

**EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY**

**Position Title**:General Manager of Planning & Community Development

**Job Status**:Permanent, Full-time

**Reports To**:Chief Administrative Officer

**Position Summary**

The General Manager of Planning and Community Development is responsible for the overall management and direction of the Planning and Development, Economic Development and Community
Services Departments to support the County’s commitment to excellence in municipal government. The
General Manager will lead and provide strategic direction to reporting departments, ensuring programs, service delivery and evaluations are completed to meet service levels and ensure operational effectiveness.

The General Manager is responsible for long-range community planning, economic growth, and major contract management. The General Manager is also responsible for the overall land use planning and development activities in the County, ensuring strategic direction is in alignment with organizational goals.
The incumbent participates directly in the preparation of operational and capital budgets and is responsible for the hiring and managing of staff within reporting departments.

**Duties and Responsibilities**

Under the supervision of the CAO, the duties and responsibilities of the General Manager of Planning and Community Development include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Prepare and implement short
- and long-term goals and objectives to ensure bylaws, policies and practices within the department are consistent with Westlock County’s Strategic Plan
- Develops and manages department operating and capital budgets and long-range plans supporting goals and objectives of Council and CAO
- Maximizes efficiency and service delivery
- Provides senior leadership to reporting departments assigned to the General Manager of Planning and Community Development
- Responsible for recruitment, training and overall management of relevant personnel, departments, and consultants
- Ensures standards, policies and bylaws are developed, monitored for compliance and accuracy, and recommends additions or changes to CAO

**Planning & Development**
- Advisor to the Municipal Planning Commission, Subdivision & Development Appeal Board, Council, CAO and other inter-agencies and authorities delegated by CAO as pertaining to matters of subdivision & development
- Represent the County, corresponding with agencies, governments, developers, and other interested parties where required
- Lead projects including evaluation, negotiation, creation, amendment, and implementation of key planning documents such as statutory plans, Land Use Bylaw, outline plans, design briefs, and development agreements.
- Steering of planning and land use studies for the County and joint planning studies with neighboring municipalities
- Coordinate special planning studies, research projects and investigations as required
- Responsible for making comment regarding intermunicipal planning referrals
- Preparation of annual operating and capital budgets and responsibility to remain within the budget parameters throughout the year
- Ensure municipality is aware of and in compliance with current legislative and related changes affecting land use and municipal planning

**Economic Development**
- Sets Economic Development goals and objectives, based on Council’s strategic direction
- Establishes policies and programs adopted by Council and/or the CAO and communicates to Economic Development employee(s)
- Directs policy implementation and ensures resource availability
- Updates professional knowledge by remaining aware of new regulations, participates in educational opportunities, maintains current on professional publications, maintains personal networks, and participates in professional organizations
- Leads change that maximizes desired results and outcomes for Westlock County
- Cultivates effective relationships and networks with other departments, residents, regional partners, contractors, agencies, and other levels of government
- Provides information to Council, staff, and the general public concerning existing and proposed policies, practices, and programs of the County
- Responsible for overseeing the overall department-related functions and staff

**Community Services**
- Ensures continued investment in parks and recreation facilities, and community-focused projects and programming for the well-being of Westlock County rate payers
- Establishes policies and programs adopted by Council and/or the CAO and communicates to Community Services employee(s)
- Provides direction as to policy implementation
- Provides reporting of necessary information and recommendations to facilitate Council’s decision-making
- Provides information to Council, staff, and the general public concerning existing and proposed policies, practices, and programs of the County
- Responsible for overseeing the overall department-related functions and staff
- Acts as liaison with local Board