Development Services Project Manager

JOB SUMMARY

Under general supervision of the Development Services Director, and with day-to-day direction and coordination from the Assistant Director of Development Services and Assistant Town Engineer, the Development Services Project Manager is responsible for initiating, coordinating, and managing the implementation of a wide variety of projects related to the Development Services Department. This position consistently exercises discretion and independent judgment in managing areas of responsibility related to development projects, capital improvement projects, and other department-wide projects. This position also coordinates and processes commercial development applications, building permits and submittals; directs customers to the appropriate development resources; maintains submittal databases and filing systems; manages annual registrations; researches development issues; prepares general support material, reports, and performance measures; assists in review and revision of Town Ordinances and other regulating documents; and responds to public information requests from the Town’s Secretary’s office.  

An ideal candidate is a flexible individual with the ability to apply analytical thinking to, independently and proactively, solve problems, ensure permit and plan reviews are processed efficiently and timely, and build relationships with the development community. The candidate must be highly motivated and strive for success by demonstrating Little Elm’s Core Values of Integrity, Customer Service, Efficiency, and Innovation.

This position serves as the department’s primary point of contact for development and special projects, coordinating cross-departmental review, managing development permitting, and facilitating collaboration among stakeholders, including developers, landowners, utility providers, and Town staff. The role emphasizes a customer service–focused approach to guide applicants through the Town’s One-Stop-Shop development process, resolve complex development challenges, and achieve practical, consensus-based solutions.

Responsibilities include managing pre-construction meetings for commercial development and building permits, follow-up materials and on-going communication, tracking performance-based metrics, tracking capital improvement projects, supporting economic development initiatives, maintaining the Development Application Handbook, Development Services Fee Schedule, and Development Services webpages, as well as supporting the Department across various special projects as needed. The position also assists with cost estimating and budget coordination in collaboration with the Development Services Director.

This position is expected to perform a full-range of professional duties including acting as the department’s representative in all areas related to on- and off-site improvements for private development. Assignments are broad in scope and require the use of independent judgment and initiative. This position will also aid in processing purchase orders, P-cards and handle other finance duties related to the department.

 

EDUCATION/TRAINING/EXPERIENCE

1. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Urban Planning, Construction Management, Public or Business Administration, Sustainability, Environmental Resources, Public Relations or a related field.
2. Master’s Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, or a related field, preferred.
3. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.
4. Two years of experience in municipal planning, project management and/or general government.
5. Any combination of related education, experience, certifications and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job.          

 

LICENSES OR CERTIFICATES

1. Must be bondable.
2. Valid Texas Drivers License

 

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

1.  Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, criminal background check, and pre-hire assessment.

 

LANGUAGE SKILLS

1. Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently.

2. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies or authorities, or members of the local business community.
3. Good verbal and written communication skills are essential.

 

OTHER SKILLS & ABILITIES

1. Self motivated.
2. Must represent the Town of Little Elm’s culture of Servant Leadership and core values of Integrity, Customer Service, Efficiency, and Innovation. 
3. Demonstrate ownership and accountability in establishing, prioritizing, and consistently delivering on deadlines.
4. Ability to anticipate, identify, and effectively resolve permitting and process-related issues.
5. Demonstrate a strong commitment to and enthusiasm for working collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
6. Ability to assist in the preparation of reports regarding development and special projects, variances, subdivisions, appeals of interpretation of design review, and planned development concepts for the development review process.
7. Ability to manage departmental and project budgets.
8. Must possess strong organizational skills.
9. Must bring an energetic, entrepreneurial approach with a creative and innovative mindset.
10. Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Creative Suite, Smartsheet, and other office-oriented and project management software, such as, but not limited to Monday.com. Ability to manage data entry, project documentation, and performance metrics.
11. Demonstrate accuracy and efficiency in data entry, with the ability to establish and maintain well-organized, user-friendly file systems.
12. Ability to learn applicable laws, codes, ordinances and regulations underlying general plans, zoning and land subdivisions and other agreements.
13. Proficiency in clear, concise, and effective oral and written communication.
14. Ability to coordinate and manage multiple projects with competing priorities.
15. Ability to effectively and professionally communicate and interact with supervisors, other employees, government officials, and the general public.

 

REASONING ABILITY

1. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished by management in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
2. Experience in prioritizing, planning, and scheduling, works independently in the absence of specific instructions or supervision.
3. Ability to comprehend complex policies, procedures, regulations, organizational structures etc. in a short time frame.
4. Ability to think critically, anticipate challenges, identify issues, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.
5. Ability to exercise independent judgment in resolving complex or non-routine matters.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to operate various machines and/or equipment; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee frequently is required to talk and hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT     

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  It is a primarily office environment, although site trips in the field are sometimes required.

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS           

1. Prioritizes workload effectively; relays instruction, information and decisions as directed.
2. Performs research, compiles, and analyzes data for special projects, operating reports, feasibility studies, grant writing, program development, meeting and special event organization, as directed by the Director, and makes recommendations for improving service delivery.
3. Initiates, prepares, and maintains a variety of files and records for information related to the Director or Department overall, such as, but not limited to, the Development Services Department annual Budget, Development Application Handbook, and Development Fee Schedule.
4. Leads regular check-ins to review progress and enforce accountability regarding the tracking of performance metrics department-wide (tracking involves ensuring automations in Monday.com are kept up to date)
5. Guides applicants through the required development application permitting steps, and submittal of plans and documents.
6. Screens all development applications for completeness, coordinates plan reviews, compiles and distributes staff comments, and communicates with applicants to provide required items.
7. Assists in issuing permits, maintains records of permit activities and responds to questions from Architects, Engineers, Contractors, property owners, and citizens regarding permit activities.
8. Determines appropriate fees and assists in collecting the fees for building permits and development projects.
9. Proactively and rigorously tracks development, and other special projects, utilizing a project management software to ensure review and permitting deadlines are met.
10. Communicates milestone timelines to internal staff to ensure projects remain on track, coordinates due dates for submittals, follows-up internally regarding emailed questions or meeting requests (pre-construction meetings, development review meetings, and comment response meetings).
11. Works in tandem with the Development Coordinator to ensure the Department is meeting all project deadlines, to evaluate development process challenges and develop practical, and effective solutions, that ensure all processes are efficient, predictable and evolving.
12. Confidently calls out issues and drives resolutions to keep work on track.
13. Provides support in preparation of agendas and follow-up notes for Development Review Committee and Pre-Construction Meetings.
14. Manages communication between internal and external development teams, third party consultants, and other agencies (TxDOT, MSUD, UTRWD, USACE, school districts, etc.).
15. Works closely with the Assistant Town Engineer and assists with tracking and management of the Town’s Capital Improvement Projects
16. Actively engages in meetings by capturing detailed notes and key nuances, outlining action items, and providing timely, thorough follow-up with supporting materials and next steps.
17. Initiates business and public relationships to assist with development process from initial concept, to construction, and ultimately, Certificate of Occupancy.
18. Learns the rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures for a wide variety of municipal planning and development activities.
19. Answers inquiries and assists the public and developers with planning and technical review issues; provides ordinance, zoning, general plan, subdivision, plat, easement and development information within scope of authority and training.
20. Attends development-related meetings as needed or required.
21. Participates in certain economic development related activities.
22. Coordinates and maintains up-to-date departmental web content and permitting software. Travels off site to attend meetings, conferences, and training.
23. Performs other duties as assigned.

 

E.O.E.  The Town of Little Elm does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability or military service in employment or the provision of services.