Planning and Economic Development Director

Nooksack Indian Tribe

JOB SUMMARY:
The Planning Director, under general policy direction for the General Manager, will provide management, leadership, supervision, and coordination for the Planning Department and staff. The Planning Director performs the overall planning, execution, and evaluation of Tribal programs and service within the department and completes work in compliance with Nooksack Tribal and other applicable laws, policies, procedures, and regulations.

The Planning Department is responsible for facilitation and administration of the Tribe’s comprehensive plan, related development and land use ordinances and policies; department budget; development, monitoring, and control; community development; strategic planning; transportation planning, environmental reviews; water quality standards and regulations; development and maintenance of Tribal Real Estate/Property Management System; Trust Services such as Fee-to-Trust procedures; and the oversight of the Tribal land acquisition, disposal, rights-of-way, permits, leasing; and sales. 

MAJOR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Exercise the full range of supervisory duties for department staff and activities. Perform overall work planning, establish work schedules and priorities, and assign and review work.
2. Develop the Planning Departments strategic plan, goals, and develop and implement an attainable work plan to meet the established goals.
3. Recommends to the General Manager changes needed in the Planning Departments policies and/or procedures.
4. Develop and maintain the department’s annual budget requests and monitor expenditures of approved budget.
5. Advise the General Manager and the Tribal Council on emerging and existing economic development issues.
6. The Director will analyze and seek business development opportunities for the Tribe.
7. Facilitate and oversee the development and implementation of the Nooksack Tribes’ comprehensive and strategic plan; coordinate and plan for land acquisition and land use, including the development of a land use plan and ordinances.
8. Develops and implements (or recommends instead of implements) water quality related projects to include water quality standards, non-point source activities, wellhead protection activities, tribal ordinances/policies/standards, and environmental permitting.
9. Develop, coordinate, prepare, and revise various plans and implementation strategies (including grants, contracts, and loan applications) for community development, land acquisition, land use, and for the overall Tribal development efforts which are designed to support the long-term self-sufficiency of the Nooksack Tribe and Nooksack Tribal members.
10. Assist the Tribe to undertake and to meet broad economic objectives to achieve stability, increase employment opportunities, and promote sustainable growth.
11. Coordinate and assist in the project planning and development of Tribal programs and community development opportunities, including site planning and development, facilities planning and design, and identification of available funding sources.
12. Keep abreast of make recommendations regarding local land use matters that may affect the Nooksack Tribes’ rights and interests.
13. Maintain governmental, social, and economical data pertaining to the Tribe for use in the wide range of the Nooksack Tribe’s programmatic, social and community planning activities.
14. Coordinate and manage development projects.
15. Collaborate and coordinate with staff, Tribal committees, and government entities as appropriate throughout planning and implementation processes.
16. Manage existing grants, contracts, and MOU’s under departmental supervision and seek alternate funding to support existing operations and/or new projects.
17. Develop communication materials and makes presentations to Tribal Council, General Manager, Federal Agencies and Community Members as necessary.
18. Makes routine presentations to Tribal Council on the status of various projects and conducts public meeting/hearings as necessary to gather community input.
19. In consultation and coordination with Tribal leadership and the Legal Department, develops complex policies and Tribal ordinances.
20. Oversees projects for funding that has been acquired and ensure that the department is administering funding correctly to avoid disruption of the future grant opportunities.
21. Ensure departmental work progress and address problem areas as they arise.
22. Recommend employee status and other personnel changes, approve leave, evaluate performance, identify training needs and ensure that training opportunities are provided.
23. Serve as essential personnel when an NIT emergency has been declared (when offices are closed due to flooding, inclement weather, etc. this position is required to report to duty and assist with initial and preventative measures of an emergency situation, when needed).
24. Provides accessibility year-round (e.g. home phone, cell phone, etc.) for the purpose of being essential personnel in a NIT emergency and/or unplanned event that may occur).

OTHER DUTIES:
Because of the Tribe's commitment to community service and the well-being of its members, each employee may be expected to perform a wide range of office and field duties from time to time. Such duties may or may not be related to their regular responsibilities.

PREFERENCE:
Indian Preference Policy applies to this and all positions with the Nooksack Indian Tribe.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The following qualifications are required for the incumbent to have, in order to be considered for the position.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING FOR POSITION:
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business, municipal planning, urban design or related field and 5 years directly related experience.
Or
• A Minimum Associates of Arts degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, urban planning, environmental planning or a related field and of 10 years of directly related experience.
• Certification with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

REQUIRED SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES POSITION:
• Must have excellent human relations and management skills, extensive knowledge and commitment to issues pertaining to community development, strategic and innovative leadership skills and experience in working with boards, membership organizations, Regional partnerships and extensive contact with government officials and public/private entities are an integral part of the day-to-day operation.
• Must have a high degree of interpersonal skills, including oral and written communications, meeting facilitation, negotiations, public speaking and relationship building.
• Must possess strong leadership and networking skills and the ability to build partnerships with government officials, business leaders, regional partners and other organizations.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and electronic communication tools, as well as financial and database management tools.
• Ability to work within the cultural and governmental framework of the Nooksack Indian Tribe.
• Considerable knowledge of theories, practices, and principles as they apply to government planning, community development, water quality standards and regulations, data collection and analysis, land use, realty issues and transportation.
• Must have management skills in policy formulation, program development, staff direction and training, development of organizational plans, and the effective accomplishment of programs.
• Must have good organizational and planning skills. Ability to meet deadlines and manage budgetary processes with in established guidelines.

REQUIRED CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
• Must pass alcohol/drug test at time of hire and throughout employment.
• Must pass criminal background check at time of hire and periodically thereafter.

REQUIRED LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS:
• Must have and maintain throughout employment a valid Washington State Driver’s License and meet the insurability requirements of the Tribe. (Must Provide Driving Abstract at time of hire).
• Certification with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.):
• The standard work week is 8:30-5:00 Monday through Friday (occasionally may have to work evenings)
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods and frequently required to talk and listen.
• Sitting for extended periods while at a desk or in meetings.
• Manual dexterity to operate a keyboard, calculator, and telephone system.
• Ability to lift up to 20+ pounds without assistance occasionally.
• Will be occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.
• Ability to read, write, speak and understand English
• Ability to listen, understands customers, and has the ability to translate rules, regulations, and policies to clients so they understand the issues/problems.
• Operate in mentally and physically stressful situations with composure.
• May have to walk/drive between office locations under a variety of conditions.
• Must be able to bend, reach, kneel, twist, and grip from assigned work areas.

DESIRED SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES POSITION
The following qualifications are preferred/helpful for the incumbent who has these skills/knowledge or abilities for this position.

I have read and understand the position requirements as stated above I further, understand that occasionally I may be instructed to perform duties that are not listed above but are relative to my position.

The Tribe hopes that the employment relationship will be long and productive, however the Tribe is an employer at-will therefore you may terminate the employment relationship at any time and likewise the Tribe may terminate the employment relationship at any time. Neither you nor the Tribe needs to provide a reason for a decision to terminate the employment relationship.