Director of Land Use Planning and Community Development

Job Description

Job Description

SUMMARY

The Director of Land Use Planning and Community Development organizes, plans, implements, and directs policy and a comprehensive program of municipal planning and development. Areas include land use, economic development, housing, population trends, community potable water and wastewater needs, transportation, and related municipal planning needs. This position works cooperatively with community organizations to facilitate retention and expansion of existing business interests. Oversees a comprehensive program of plan review, permitting, and inspection in the areas of zoning and inland wetlands.

Department: Planning and Zoning
Hours: 8:30am – 4:30pm, Monday – Friday; 35 hours (some nightly meeting required)
Location: John Weichel Municipal Center, 196 N Main Street, Southington, CT
Salary: $1450,000
Union: N/A
Reports to: Town Manager

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Reviews, interprets, and disseminates technical information to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Conservation Commission/Inland Wetland Agency, and Zoning Board of Appeals.
2. Interacts with community leaders, regional, state, and federal representatives to ensure awareness of development opportunities and review proposals for plans, projects, and/or desired legislation
3. Ensures and oversees the coordination of the application and inspection process beginning with the review and permitting by land use regulatory agencies, extending through the issuance of permits, inspection, and completion
4. Works with considerable independence and establishes priorities within general work assignment
5. Offers supervisory and professional management to members of the planning, zoning, and inland wetlands staff
6. Evaluates short and long-term municipal development needs and opportunities of the community and determines resource needs.
7. Prepares and administers department budget
8. Oversees studies related to population, land use, housing, transportation, environment, open space, residential/commercial development, economic/social conditions, historic preservation, community appearance, physical infrastructure of public facilities, and related matters
9. Prepares reports and presents to appropriate boards and commissions
10. Coordinates site plan review with assessment, building, engineering, health, public works, and public safety administrators
11. Secures, implements, and completes approved projects through planning, marketing, and c coordinating staff and external consultants 12. Prepares, maintains, and stores maps depicting land use, zoning districts, and physical/social features of the community
13. Applies principles of urban planning to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
14. Perform any and all other related duties assigned by the Town Manager.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
1. Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of urban planning, procedures, and requirements
2. Ability to facilitate conflict resolution, including disputes between private property owners, private owners, and the regulatory charge of Southington’s land use and regulatory boards
3. Understanding of municipal operations and budgetary impact
4. Knowledge of research methods applied to community affairs
5. Thorough understanding of state statutes pertaining to Town and regional planning, including zoning and subdivision regulations
6. Provide precise and concise written and oral instructions and work effectively with staff members, commission and board members, and the general public to establish and maintain positive relationships
7. Apply state and federal laws, Town ordinances, departmental policies, procedures, rules, and regulations to determine necessary action
8. Availability to attend required committee and subcommittee meetings, as well as civic and professional meetings and educational seminars
9. Work environment includes interruptions, demanding deadlines, and flexibility

Computer/Technology
Strong computer skills, including working knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Education and Experience:
1. Must have valid CT Motor Vehicle Operator license
2. Certification as a Planner by the American Institute of Certified Planners
3. Master’s degree in Urban/City Planning or closely related field
4. Five years’ experience in community affairs, urban planning, or municipal development
5. Three years supervisory/management experience or, an equivalent combination of education and practical work experience. Suitable experience may be substituted for educational.

Physical Demands:

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
1. Ability to walk on rough terrain to inspect undeveloped properties and sites that are uneven and rough due to constructions
2. Must be able to hear (correctable to within normal limits) and see (vision correctable to 20/20)
3. Some road travel
4. Must be able to sit and/or stand for extended periods of time

Benefits:

Include CT Municipal Employees Retirement System (CTMERS) Pension Plan, generous time off (personal days, vacation, accrued sick leave, including 12 full days & 2 half day holidays) & insurance package (medical, dental, vision care, prescription and life.)

Terms of Employment: N/A Evaluations:
Performance to be evaluated annually by the Town Manager

Position opened until filled