Development Review Services Manager

Tasked with managing the Coordinated Departmental Review process for the Engineering and Planning and Zoning Departments, the position serves as a primary point of contact and directly coordinates with developers, professional engineers, consultants, and internal and external reviewers throughout the multi-departmental plan review and permitting process. This includes facilitating interdepartmental and multi-agency reviews; interpreting and administering applicable County ordinances, policies, and processes; and providing clear guidance to applicants to ensure compliance with applicable County, State, and Federal requirements. The position has a direct impact on development timelines, regulatory compliance, and customer service outcomes and must consistently exercise sound judgment and initiative in the performance of assigned duties.
 
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:  

• Perform a broad range of advanced administrative, technical, and coordination functions in management of the County’s Coordinated Departmental Review processes.
• Routinely manages a high-volume of time-sensitive requests while maintaining accuracy and consistency.
• Assist with the administration of land development regulatory processes by tracking permit and plan review status, monitoring review timelines, and ensuring accurate documentation throughout the approval process.
• Create, maintain, and analyze reports, spreadsheets, and databases used to manage submittals and workflow.
• Perform advanced data entry and utilize word processing, spreadsheet, and database software to draft, edit, and distribute professional correspondence, reports, and internal and external communications.
• Assist with research and planning studies and other initiatives by compiling, analyzing, and summarizing data.
• Prepare technical and administrative memoranda and reports.
• Coordinate and support regularly scheduled departmental meetings, including agenda preparation, material compilation, meeting coordination, and documentation of outcomes as needed.
• Coordinate with multiple County departments, external agencies, and reviewers to determine completeness, concurrence, and compliance for permit and plan approvals.
• Identify and, upon directive, implement strategies to improve Coordinated Departmental Review processes.
• Serve as a primary liaison between applicants, developers, professional engineers, consultants, and internal/external plan reviewers.
• Coordinate with the Small Business Manager to streamline small business development entitlement processes.
• Liaise with staff and the applicant throughout the land development and plan review process, facilitating communication, managing expectations, and supporting resolution of review issues.
• Receive, document, and respond to citizen/applicant complaints and inquiries related to land development applications and submittals, ensuring concerns are properly addressed and routed in accordance with County procedures.
• Assist citizens and applicants with land development applications and submittals by explaining application requirements, procedures, zoning regulations, and land use standards; provide accurate procedural guidance to applicants throughout the application and review process.
• Apply and interpret highly complex statutes, County ordinances, regulations, and policies in the performance of assigned duties, routinely referencing and exercising judgment in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Associates Degree in Planning, Public Administration, Engineering, or other closely related field and five
• (5) years of related experience; or a comparable combination of experience and/or education.
• Two (2) to four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in land development coordination, planning, permitting, engineering support, zoning administration, or a closely related regulatory environment;
• Experience working directly with developers, engineers, consultants, and regulatory review staff is strongly preferred.

Special Requirements: 

• Valid driver’s license for South Carolina. Must have safe driving record.
• Departmental testing may be administered during interview.
• A criminal background check will be completed on selected applicant if a current one (less than 3 years old) is not on file.
• Advanced computer skills with knowledge of: office procedures and record keeping operations; general planning, GIS/mapping applications, or construction terminology; English grammar and usage.

 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of personal computers including basic knowledge of Word and Excel.
• Ability to read and interpret elements of civil site development plans, plats, property characteristics, and related technical documents.
• Skill in excellent interpersonal and customer service communication.
• Ability to efficiently complete multiple concurrent tasks by following established guidelines/procedures established across multiple departments with minimal direct supervision.
• Ability to prepare and present clear, concise reports both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with governmental/private/public officials and/or employees, as well as the general public.
• Ability to learn and utilize various computer software programs such as GIS (ArcGIS, BlueBeam, Energov, etc.).
• Ability to manage efficient and effective documentation and records systems.

This position requires the employee to reach, pull and push with hands and arms; stand; use hands to handle, feel, finger, grasp or operate objects, tools or controls; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; use mental acuity and repetitive motion; and walk, talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to forty (40) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The work is regularly performed in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities and needs. The normal work schedule is thirty-seven and one half (37.5) hours per week, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the ability to work after hours when necessary. Must be able to attend evening County Council, Planning Commission and other group meetings as needed. Scheduled hours/days, job location, duties and any other information contained herein is subject to change. May be required to work extra hours and to perform extra or different duties as project schedules demand or during emergency situations.