County Planner

Safety-Sensitive Position: Yes (as defined under Oklahoma Statute Title 63 § 427.8)

All candidates conditionally offered transfer, promotion or initial hiring into a DOT/safety-sensitive position shall submit to testing for drugs and alcohol and test negative before performing any job functions that are safety-sensitive or require a CDL. External job applicants with a confirmed positive drug or alcohol test results shall be denied employment and shall be required to wait one year before applying for another position within Tulsa County.

Essential Job Functions

• Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the overall operations, programs, and services of the Planning and Development Services Department.
• Prepare planning documents, reports, and recommendations for Tulsa County Planning Commission and Tulsa County Board of Adjustment.
• Assist municipalities with plan updates and new plan development to ensure alignment with County goals.
• Provide leadership and direction to departmental staff, including the Planning Division, Permitting Division and Planning Division; establish performance expectations and evaluate results.
• Interpret and ensure compliance with the county building codes, electrical codes, plumbing codes, mechanical codes, sign codes and zoning codes.
• Develop, recommend, and implement departmental goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and long-range plans consistent with the organization's mission.
• Prepare, administer, and monitor the department budget; allocate resources, control expenditures, and recommend staffing levels.
• Oversee the preparation and review of planning studies, comprehensive and area plans, zoning and land-use recommendations, and development applications.
• Represent the department before boards, commissions, elected officials, member communities, partner agencies, and the public; present reports and recommendations.
• Coordinate interdepartmental and intergovernmental projects, grants, and partnerships.
• Ensure departmental compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and professional standards.
• Resolve complex and sensitive operational, personnel, and stakeholder issues.
• Respond to public and developer inquiries related to planning, zoning, permits, and County regulations, providing clear guidance within established authority.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications Required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

 Knowledge of the principles and practices of urban and regional planning, land use, zoning, and development services; GIS principles and applications and of public administration, budgeting, and personnel management; applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and intergovernmental processes.

Skill in strategic planning, program development, and organizational leadership; effective oral and written communication; researching, including data collection, statistical analysis, correspondence, public engagement and presentations; training and supervision of personnel;

Ability to lead, supervise, and develop management and professional staff across multiple disciplines; prepare and administer budgets and analyze complex data and policy issues; communicate effectively in writing and orally and to build productive relationships with elected officials, member communities, staff, and the public; manage programs and projects; interpret, analyze and explain federal, state, and locals laws related to land use, zoning, and environmental regulations.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of spreadsheet, database, and word processing software, and must be proficient in Microsoft Windows, Excel, Word, and Outlook. Familiarity with GIS and the ESRI ArcGIS platform is preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has full supervisory responsibility for the Tulsa County Development Services Department and serves as its department head. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws, including hiring, planning and assigning work, training, appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, and addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university in Urban or Regional Planning, Public Administration, Geography, or a closely related field; plus, five to ten years of progressively responsible planning or development services experience, including at least three years in management or supervisory capacity; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A master's degree and/or AICP certification is strongly preferred.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents such as statutes, regulations, technical reports, plans, and legal descriptions. Ability to write reports, policies, and correspondence and to develop and present clear recommendations. Ability to speak effectively and respond to questions from elected officials, boards, member communities, staff, and the public.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as statistics, percentages, ratios, and proportions and to apply them to budgeting, forecasting, and data analysis. Ability to interpret coordinate systems, scales, maps, and statistical data.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to apply principles of logical and strategic thinking to a wide range of complex and sensitive problems and to interpret a variety of technical and policy information in written, oral, or diagram form.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification preferred or ability to obtain.

Registration as a professional engineer in the State of Oklahoma preferred or ability to obtain

Valid Oklahoma Driver License possessed for at least 6 months

Defensive driving with Tulsa County within 6 months of hired

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; and talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Tulsa County does not discriminate against any individual because of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, or political affiliation (except when such person advocates or belongs to an organization which advocates the overthrow of our constituted government by force or violence) with regard to all terms, conditions, eligibilities, and privileges of employment for all positions in the County.

NOTE: Job descriptions are subject to change based on changing business needs and conditions.