Assistant Director of Planning

Urban Planning Manager

This position will remain open until filled, with applications reviewed on an ongoing basis. This job posting may be removed at any time without prior notice. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for full consideration.

The ideal candidate demonstrates a strong background in urban planning, with the ability to analyze complex issues, develop strategic solutions, and effectively communicate recommendations. Experience supporting downtown revitalization, economic development initiatives, and stakeholder coordination is highly valued. Familiarity with alternative development financing tools—such as Public Improvement Districts (PIDs), Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs), Municipal Management Districts (MMDs), or similar mechanisms—is desirable, particularly in the context of managing growth and investment in both citywide and downtown areas.

Under general direction, supports the Planning Director in managing the daily operations of the Planning and Downtown Division, including supervising staff and coordinating departmental activities. Assists the administration and implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and Subdivision Regulations to guide growth and development. Prepares and oversees reports, studies, and planning documents related to land use, development standards, population trends, transportation, environmental considerations, and grant opportunities. Coordinates planning efforts with surrounding municipalities, regional organizations, and state and federal agencies to ensure alignment and effective implementation of community development initiatives.

Manages and supports municipal planning functions, including both long-range and current planning activities, while assisting with the coordination and day-to-day operations of downtown development initiatives. Oversees and conducts research-driven planning projects that support citywide growth and downtown revitalization efforts. Reviews and evaluates existing Zoning Ordinance regulations and recommends updates or amendments as needed, facilitating their progression through the formal review and approval process. Assists in the preparation of comprehensive planning reports, downtown plans, and policy documents, applying advanced knowledge of urban planning principles, zoning practices, and development standards.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manages, trains, and evaluates planning and downtown staff, ensuring timely and consistent review of zoning and development cases, plans, and plats in compliance with applicable codes, ordinances, and established procedures.
• Develops and manages projects and programs to ensure the objectives of the City Council's Strategic Focus Areas, the Department's Five-Year Plan, and the Division's Balanced Score Card Measures are met.
• Oversees the City's comprehensive planning programs and projects; implements the City's comprehensive plans through direct actions and coordination with other departments.
• Attends all Planning & Zoning Commission, City Council, Board of Adjustment, and other special meetings as required.
• Provides professional support to the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council.
• Coordinates and prepares informational materials, and ensures the placement of development plans and zoning exhibits on agendas for the City Council, Planning & Zoning Commission and other boards and committees as required.
• Coordinates and facilitates development review and pre-submittal meetings with other departments, including compiling and coordinating departmental comments for applicants.
• Ensure consistency in the preparation of staff reports and that staff reports are completed on time, before forwarding to Director.
• Meets with applicants to ensure compliance with planning and other related ordinances and policies and to seek solutions to complex issues.
• Administers and enforces zoning, subdivision, and planning regulations; coordinates updates to development standards and ordinances; and prepares or assists in drafting development-related regulations and policy amendments.
• Conducts research and data analysis related to planning and development issues, prepares technical reports and policy documents, and maintains databases supporting zoning, subdivision, and development regulations.
• Recommends policy and procedural changes based on research and forecasts of land use studies, population growth, demographics and transportation issues and studies.
• Administers consultant contracts.
• Conducts review of various development applications including plats, permits, site plans, variance requests, and rezoning.
• Identifies community problems, issues, and opportunities in particular neighborhoods that could be mitigated through better community planning.
• Develops long-range plans for communities with common developmental issues.
• Develops strategies to promote economic and community development or efficient land use consistent with community goals.
• Evaluates adequacy of community facilities in meeting current and projected needs.
• Recommends priorities, schedules, and funding sources to implement public improvements plan.
• Attends and participates in professional organizations, training sessions, conferences, and meetings to remain current on trends, regulations, and best practices in planning and development.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Employment Standards

Knowledge of:

• Federal, State, regional and City environmental, conservation, zoning and urban planning regulations, ordinances and codes.
• Long and short term planning forecasting, developing, amending, implementing and enforcing.
• One or more planning specializations, such as economic development, historic, transportation planning, or environmental planning.
• Principles, methodology, practices of research and data collection.
• Effective writing techniques with proper English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Community remediation and redevelopment, and knowledge of relevant Federal programs.
• Statistical, algebraic, or geometric knowledge and ability to apply such knowledge in practical situations.
• Computer hardware and software programs, which may include Microsoft Office, Internet applications, econometric or transportation modeling, database management, or GIS.
• Operations, services and activities of the city.
• Understanding of contracts, rules and regulations.
• ArcGIS knowledge is preferred.

Ability to:

• Plan, recommend, develop and implement public policies and procedures related to planning and zoning.
• Gather relevant information to solve less well- defined practical problems.
• Review plans and apply provisions of the ordinances and codes to determine compliance with such regulations and to apply regulations to field conditions.
• Work on several projects or tasks simultaneously.
• Mediate, negotiate, and resolve political, environmental, enforcement agencies and customer complaints and concerns.
• Work independently or in a team environment as needed.
• Maintain attention to details while supporting broader organizational and strategic goals.
• Create graphic designs, development strategies, and render site plans via sketches and/or computer graphics.
• Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Requirements

Education, Training and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning, architecture, public policy, or related area of study.
• Five (5) years of experience in planning and/or comprehensive planning and two (2) years of supervisory experience; or the equivalent combination of education and planning experience.

Licenses and Certificates:

• A valid State driver's license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification preferred.

Special Requirements:

• Position requires regular in-person attendance including evenings and weekends as needed.

Supplemental Information

Physical and Mental Demands:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists.

Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; performs highly detailed work; deals with multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with customers and/or the public and dissatisfied/abusive