Director of Planning and Transportation

Position Overview

The City of Bloomington is seeking its next Director of Planning and Transportation to lead work that shapes how people live, move, connect, and experience Bloomington every day. The position is appointed by the Mayor.

Under Mayor Kerry Thomson’s leadership, the City is focused on economic vitality, attainable housing, public safety, sustainability, inclusion, open government, strong partnerships, transportation, and quality of place.

• Administers and directs departmental operations, including attending community policy meetings, providing consultation, and overseeing implementation of comprehensive plans.
• Recruits, screens, interviews, and hires department employees, assigns work, provides technical assistance, direction and supervision, establishes job performance standards, evaluates employees, and takes disciplinary actions as needed.
• Attends and serves as technical advisor at monthly Plan Commission meetings and Board of Zoning Appeals meetings.
• Responds to citizen planning and zoning inquiries as applied to established local, state, and federal laws, rules, and guidelines; maintains public relations for the department and frequently attends civic and neighborhood meetings.
• Prepares and submits department budget to the Common Council and administers the budget upon approval.
• Reviews and evaluates department programs, systems, and methods of operation and revises as necessary.
• Attends, drafts, presents, and defends major policy recommendations at various meetings, including the Mayor's Cabinet and Common Council.
• Prepares and administers planning‑related ordinances and resolutions as needed.
• Occasionally testifies in court on matters pertaining to the decisions of the Plan Commission and/or Board of Zoning Appeals.
• Takes all reasonable steps to maintain a safe work environment.

Performs related duties as assigned by the Mayor’s Office.

• Minimum knowledge equivalent to a master's degree in planning or a related field.
• Minimum of over five (5) years senior‑level municipal planning experience.
• AICP certification required.
• Knowledge of and ability to administer planning programs following legal codes, ordinances, manuals, state and federal guidelines, and standardized accounting procedures and compliance regulations.
• Ability to maintain confidential information and cope with unprecedented types of problems by extending accepted planning methods and techniques.

Work is performed in a modern office environment with no unusual physical demands. Frequent overtime and attendance to evening meetings are required. The position holder must often deal with various constituencies and manage employee teams.

Maintains close relationships with the Mayor, department heads, news media, subordinate personnel, federal, state, and local officials, and the general public for explanation, interpretation, technical assistance, and non‑routine problem solving requiring coordination of varied activities. Effective and tactful communication with a wide range of individuals, including federal, state, and local officials and members of the general public, is essential under conditions of potential conflict.

This job description is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all job functions performed. Five essential duties for this position are performed with or without reasonable accommodation.