Harvard, Building and Planning Director

Recruiting for the Position of Building and Planning Director

The City of Harvard is seeking qualified applicants for the full-time position of Building and Planning Director. The Director manages the activities of the City’s Community Development Department and directs programs to encourage and support residential and commercial development activity in the City of Harvard.

Harvard is a city located in McHenry County, Illinois, approximately 7 miles (11km) south of the Illinois/Wisconsin border. The population was 9,469 at the 2020 census. The city is 63 miles (101 km) from the Chicago Loop, and is the last stop on the Metra’s Union Pacific/Northwest Line.

In 1942, the city instituted an annual celebration known as Harvard Milk Day. A lavish parade down whitewashed streets, presided over by a large plastic Holstein cow named Harmilda, attracted thousands. Celebrations aside, dairy farming declined as farmers found it easier and as profitable to supply metropolitan Chicago’s supermarkets with produce. The Milk Days celebration continues to be the longest continuously running hometown festival in Illinois, having just celebrated its 84th year this June.

With urban expansion overrunning eastern McHenry County in the late 1960s, Harvard’s rural setting became a model to many who opposed that growth. County government was lobbied to adopt land‑use plans in order to preserve agricultural areas. With urban expansion overrunning eastern McHenry County in the late 1960s, Harvard’s rural setting became a model to many who opposed that growth. County government was lobbied to adopt land‑use plans to preserve agricultural areas.

Many Latinos who came to work as temporary pickers and processors settled in Harvard. Today Harvard has 3rd and 4th generations of Latinos who are woven into the web of our community’s population makeup. The City is committed to embracing this cultural diversity, continuously striving to offer diverse services and improve community integration.

Reporting to the City Administrator, the Building and Planning Director is a highly responsible professional position that plans, coordinates, and manages the operations of the Community Development Department. The Director develops and implements plans, policies, and programs to promote and increase residential and commercial activities within the City of Harvard. The Director is responsible for providing staff support to the Planning & Zoning Commission, as well as acting as the City’s ADA Coordinator.

Additionally, this position oversees the activities of the Code Enforcement Officer.

The selected candidate should possess a genuine passion for public service, with strong, working knowledge of local government operations in areas such as planning and development, zoning administration, plan review and inspections, infrastructure improvements, code enforcement, and municipal finance. Responsible supervisory experience and the familiarity of working in a diverse and growing community is essential. Candidates should also possess a strong ability for leadership, personal and professional ethics, and a collaborative, team‑oriented approach.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Construction Management, or other related field from an accredited college or university preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years municipal planning and development experience, or equivalent blend of advanced education and experience.
• Strong MS Office computer skills required, experience with GIS and PAVERS strongly desired.
• Experience in preparation and maintenance of strategic plans and policies.
• Experience with the planning aspects of broad‑based and diverse community development activities.
• ICC Certification required within one‑year of hire – refer to attached job description.

The anticipated salary range is $95,000 to $110,000 +/- DOQ.

A comprehensive benefits package includes participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF), health insurance including medical, dental, and vision coverage (also available to dependents), and life insurance. The City also offers paid vacation, personal leave, holidays and sick leave. The City does not have a residency requirement.

Final date to receive applications is January 12, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

Please send resumes with cover letter to the attention of:

Further information may be obtained by contacting:

The City of Harvard is an Equal Opportunity Employer