Planning & Economic Development Director

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Planning or related field from an accredited college or university; eight years’ management level experience in community development or related field, including five years of supervisory experience. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

• American Institute of Certified Planners designation is preferred.
• May need the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as the job requires.

This position leads, directs, and manages the planning, development review, and business support activities to create sustainable growth with robust community engagement. Provides strategic leadership to link long range planning with purposeful development to create a vibrant community. Implements the approved strategic workplan and addresses the city priorities through thoughtful leadership and policies. The Director and members of the Planning and Economic Development Team work with other departments to strengthen the City’s capacity to engage residents and developers in meaningful ways across all City programs.

The successful candidate will also demonstrate strengths to include:

• Directing and managing all activities and operations of the department, including development and plan review, city planning, building permits, building inspection, development engineering, and the Office of Economic Development.
• Developing and implementing strategies to link land-use, housing, and business development with art, transportation, parks, and community programs.
• Ensuring robust community engagement and stakeholder involvement to foster collaborative growth and purposeful development. Identifies opportunities for creative, equitable, and sustainable development. Assesses local needs and updates the strategic plan for the future of the department, the city, and the community.
• Analyzes problems, identifies alternative solutions, projects consequences of proposed actions, and implements recommendations in support of goals and provides excellent customer service.
• Strong financial and compliance experience includes development and management of the department budget and ability to work across various funding sources.
• Strong personnel and management skills to include hiring, development, discipline, termination or advancement of employees.

Essential Functions

(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVEONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

• Directs and manages all activities and operations of the department, including development and plan review, city planning, building permits, building inspection, development engineering, and the Office of Economic Development.
• Develops and implements strategies to link land-use, housing, and business development with art, transportation, parks, and community programs.
• Ensures robust community engagement and stakeholder involvement to foster collaborative growth and purposeful development. Identifies opportunities for creative, equitable, and sustainable development.
• Assesses local needs and updates the strategic plan for the future of the department, the city, and the community.
• Analyzes problems, identifies alternative solutions, projects consequences of proposed actions, and implements recommendations in support of goals and provides excellent customer service.
• Develops and implements the department budget, including coordination with the Engineering Department for major capital projects and fleet.
• Determines levels of staff, equipment and other resources needed to effectively and efficiently provide departmental services and programs. Pursues grant opportunities at the federal, state, and local level.
• Manages, supervises and directs the activities of assigned staff and functions; makes recommendations regarding hiring, discipline, termination or advancement of employees.
• Schedules employees, assigns work, and monitors progress; guides, trains and develops employees in the accomplishment of their duties and professional growth; evaluates performance.
• Monitors departmental operations and customer service to ensure quality control; identifies and resolves deficiencies; prepares and presents periodic and special staff reports on departmental issues and projects.
• Balances advocacy for individual department wants/needs with commitment to and support for the best overall outcomes for the city and community.
• Maintains a thorough knowledge of federal and state laws, local statutes, ordinances, standards, procedures, and trends related to department operations, and ensures their implementation. Assesses proposed state legislation to determine potential local impacts. Makes recommendations regarding proposed amendments and formal city position in the best interest of the community.
• Develops and implements rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to advance the department’s mission, goals and objectives.
• Advocates necessary changes to promote high quality of life within the community; coordinates and resolves interdepartmental issues that arise from department processes.
• Advises the City Manager on issues related to development, growth, planning, and business support.
• Performs other duties as assigned.