Assistant Planning Director

Nassau County is seeking an accomplished Communications Manager to lead and elevate the County’s public-facing and internal communications strategy. This highly visible leadership role is responsible for shaping and executing a comprehensive communications agenda that enhances transparency, builds public trust, and advances the County’s strategic priorities under the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). The ideal candidate is a visionary communicator with a proven track record in strategic public relations, executive communication, and media relations.

They will serve as a key advisor to County leadership, a trusted spokesperson to the public and media, and a collaborative force internally, bringing clarity, consistency, and creativity to all messaging.

Nassau County is 726 square miles of natural beauty located in the northeast corner of Florida along the Atlantic Ocean and Interstate 95. With 13 miles of pristine beaches, hundreds of miles of rivers, historic downtown Fernandina Beach, and an expanding economy. The combination of rich history, rural charm, natural resources, quality-of-life, and proximity to strategic installations provides Nassau County with unparalleled potential.

Part of the Jacksonville Metropolitan Area, Nassau County has a population of 101,501 and a regional population of 1.6 million, the Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BE ) estimates that Nassau County grew by 4.92% last year ranking as the 4th fastest-growing county, by percent growth, in Florida [2nd among counties with a population of at least 80,000].

BE  predicts Nassau County will be the sixth fastest-growing county in the State of Florida over the next 10 years with a projected population expansion of 33% resulting in over 121,600 people calling Nassau County home.

Advanced and highly skilled professional planner responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Planning Department. Supervises staff planners and clerical personnel who support the Planning and Zoning Board, Conditional Use and Variance Board, Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, Amelia Island Tree Commission, and the Board of County Commissioners.

The Assistant Planning Director is responsible for a wide range of policy initiatives including researching, analyzing and drafting policy with broad implications to the County's Code of Ordinances and Comprehensive Plan; responding to policy initiatives by local municipalities, regional/metropolitan bodies and State agencies/districts; researching and analyzing legislative initiatives at both the local and State level; assisting in project management, formulation and implementation of both current and long-range plans and other policy matters as directed by the Planning Director;

and serving to bridge the gap between planning theory, policy creation and implementation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Supervises and conducts advanced, highly complex professional planning activities.
• Acts in an executive capacity in the absence of the Director.
• Conducts planning studies to address relevant issues and standards and recommends updates/revisions of regulations and the requirements of the Comprehensive Plan.
• Recommends new and revised policies, codes, ordinances, and regulations. Prepares draft ordinances and amendments to ordinances.
• Researches information pertaining to best practices in land development issues.
• Reviews, analyzes and brings forward innovative amendments to the Land Development Code, Subdivision Regulations, Roadway and Drainage Standards and other regulations impacting the development of land in Nassau County to match national best practices.
• Provides the Principal and Senior Planners with expert policy advice for…