LOS ALAMOS COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
Challenge of a lifetime to live and work in a high quality of life and highly educated community. Los Alamos County is located on the scenic Pajarito Plateau in northern New Mexico, 35 miles northwest of Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico. With a population of 18,344, Los Alamos County enjoys a small town, family-oriented lifestyle with a low crime rate and a high standard of living. Los Alamos County was formed in 1949, incorporated in 1968 and operates as both a county and a municipality. County operates under a Council-Manager form of government with an appointed County Administrator. For additional information, see the County website at www.lac-nm.us. Opportunity to associate with high caliber management and staff in a professional environment. Community Development Department coordinates all building approval processes, including subdivisions, zoning, and building permits, by interacting with staff from other County Departments, and the Planning and Zoning Commission. A comprehensive review and update of the zoning code is now underway, as is a citizen-based update of the comprehensive plan. County intends this overall plan update to be the beginning of an ongoing planning process for neighborhood and functional plans. A downtown plan and open space plan have been adopted or are soon to be adopted to start this continuing planning process. Implementation of these plans is another area for which the County is adding staffing to this Department. Affordable housing is another area of Department responsibility, and the economic development function for the County may be returned to the Community Development Department. Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Planning or related field, and eight (8) years of planning and development experience, including three (3) years in a supervisory or administrative capacity. An advanced degree will substitute for up to two (2) years of required experience. A Master’s degree in Planning, or Public Administration or a related field and an AICP highly desirable. Knowledge and experience in planning and zoning administration and community development principles and issues required. Knowledge of the laws and regulations governing planning and zoning; government assistance programs; and project planning and management required. Knowledge of supervision, budgeting and record keeping required. Knowledge of building construction and inspection highly desirable. Skills in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships required. Skills in sustainable planning, scheduling, training, directing, supervising and reviewing the performance of employees in a manner conducive to productivity and high morale required. Ability to act in an independent and conscientious manner, use sound judgment and memory and ability to respond quickly and accurately and to maintain confidentiality required. Ability to work with minimum supervision and to implement and supervise effectively; prepare and make reports; make observations and policy recommendations that will increase the Department’s effectiveness; and ability to analyze situations and take effective action required. Ability to prepare, analyze and evaluate both detailed and comprehensive reports; ability to design, develop and carry out assigned projects to their completion required. Requires strong professional leadership skills, ability to be calm and reasonable, diplomacy skills, charisma, ability to be an excellent facilitator and build consensus, ability to instill desire to accomplish tasks among staff, a change agent, ability to be a key player in the community and on the County management team, some knowledge of redevelopment, growth management experience in a larger community and an appreciation for the Western lifestyle. Annual starting salary in range of $77,357 to $96,696 depending on experience and qualifications. Confidential resumes should be sent immediately to James L. Mercer, President, The Mercer Group, Inc., 551 W. Cordova Road, #726, Santa Fe, NM 87505. Phone: 505-466-9500; Fax: 505-466-1274; E-Mail: mercer@mindspring.com or mercer.james@comcast.net. Finalists will be required to complete a County Employment Application prior to interview. Los Alamos County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.