Job Description

Posting number: 2026-00064

Department: Development Services

Job classification: Development Services Director

Posting type: Open

Categories: Planning and Development

Summary

Hiring range is negotiable between $105,339.23 - $136,941.00 depending on a candidate's qualifications and experience.

Performs difficult professional and administrative work planning, organizing, and directing the Development Services Department, which encompasses three divisions: Planning Services (Current and Long-Range Planning, Land Use, Zoning, and Development Permitting, Site Plan Review, Environmental Code Enforcement, Brownfields Program, and Historic Preservation), Inspection Services (Building Code Enforcement, Building Trades Permitting, and Building Plan Review), and Community Development & Relations (Minimum Housing, HUD Grants Management, Neighborhood Development & Revitalization, and Community Relations). The Director establishes a strategic vision and works through division managers to ensure well-planned orderly growth, regulatory compliance, and neighborhood revitalization while making efficient use of the City's land and resources. A critical responsibility of this role is establishing and maintaining a positive departmental culture defined by high performance, exceptional customer service, teamwork, and communication.

Considerable tact and courtesy must be exercised in frequent personal contact with City, municipal, state and federal officials and citizens. Work requires managerial, expert professional and technical knowledge as well as the ability to formulate strategic plans and direct progress. Work requires significant independent judgment and initiative in complex issues that must meet professional standards as well as state and local regulations.

Work is performed under the general supervision of the City Manager’s Office and is evaluated through periodic conferences and reports in terms of overall results achieved.

Examples of duties

The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Develops a broad-based vision with strategic goals for the Department; creates, develops and administers policies and procedures to meet goals; prepares and reviews comprehensive planning elements relating to a broad spectrum of social, economic, physical and community facility concerns including land use, infrastructure, zoning, and environmental impact.
• Serves as technical advisor to, and directs staff support for, the City Manager, City Council, Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, Commission on Community Relations & Development, Historic District Commission, Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), and other advisory boards; prepares reports, makes presentations, and researches projects.
• Implements direction and directives from the City Manager's Office and serves as a departmental liaison by communicating and providing recommendations to the City Manager's Office.
• Assists professional staff with review of complex plans and projects to ensure compliance with regulations; monitors ordinances to ensure needed revisions are done in a timely manner.
• Guides department through development and implementation of new programs and services to improve customer service; recommends changes in equipment, policies and procedures.
• Responds to complaints and inquiries about planning, inspections, community development, and permitting; investigates and follows up as needed.
• Develops, coordinates and directs a variety of special and continuing plans related to the growth, development, HUD grant management, neighborhood revitalization, and redevelopment of the City; ensures strict compliance with all HUD requirements and reporting deadlines; addresses neighborhood blight through the proactive enforcement of the minimum housing code; balances concerns for current and long-range planning efforts.
• Participates in meetings and public hearings to explain recommendations on planning proposals; answers citizen and developer questions regarding planning and related issues.
• Coordinates planning activities with affected federal, state, municipal, regional and private agencies, serves on a variety of area committees and task forces to represent the City and have input into issues.
• Recruits and provides support to staff; cultivates a culture of teamwork, accountability, and high performance; fosters an environment where staff are encouraged to communicate openly with leadership and Human Resources; collaborates on development of work plans and monitors and evaluates work; provides guidance, support or corrective action as needed.
• Develops and administers the department budget, including knowing and following municipal financial policies; reviews and approves purchases.
• Provides research and input into the development of ordinances, policies and procedures for the City and the department; advises the City Manager and City Council on related issues.
• Serves as City's liaison to professional consultants hired to perform specialized work related to planning, zoning and land use or other special projects.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of community and economic development and public sector planning.
• Extensive knowledge of governmental laws, programs, and services pertinent to the community and economic development and planning processes.
• Extensive knowledge of the environmental and socio-economic implications of the planning process.
• Thorough knowledge of or the ability to learn HUD regulations, grant compliance requirements, and minimum housing standards.
• Skill in the collection, analysis, and presentation of technical data and planning recommendations.
• Considerable knowledge of management techniques as applied to City government.
• Ability to organize, supervise and direct a group of professional, technical and support staff and perform administrative functions such as budgeting and staffing.
• Ability to establish and maintain a collaborative, high-performing team environment and champion a positive workplace culture.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community groups, federal, state, regional, and City officials, and the general public.
• Ability to direct the preparation of comprehensive reports and studies.
• Ability to express ideas effectively in oral and written forms.

Supplemental information

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Economic Development, Public Administration, Planning, Engineering, Community Development or related field.
• Ten (10) years of experience in public sector administration, more specifically Planning, Inspections, Community Development or Engineering.
• Five (5) years of supervisory experience
• Or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Economic Development, Public Administration, Planning, Engineering, Community Development or related field.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:

• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

• The work is sedentary work which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. The work may require specific physical characteristic and abilities such as heightened strength, mobility, dexterity and full range of motion. The following additional physical abilities are also required: manual dexterity, hearing, mental acuity, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, talking, visual acuity and walking.

UNAVOIDABLE HAZARDS (WORK ENVIRONMENT):

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

• The work is generally performed in an office environment and involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, libraries, residences or commercial vehicles. Use of safe work practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals are minimally required.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE

The City of Goldsboro is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

STANDARD CLAUSES

May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of the City.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

ESSENTIAL SAFETY FUNCTIONS

It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with established policies, procedures, and safe work practices. Each employee must follow safety training and instructions provided by their supervisor. Each employee must also properly wear and maintain all personal protective equipment required for their job. Finally, each employee must immediately report any unsafe work practices or unsafe conditions as well as any on-the-job injury or illnesses.

Every manager/supervisor is responsible for enforcing all safety rules and regulations. In addition, they are responsible for ensuring that a safe work environment is maintained, safe work practices are followed, and employees are properly trained.