Community Development Director

Overview

This position is responsible for long-range planning, serving as Planning Director and Zoning Administrator for the City of Johnston. Under general direction, it directs the Community Development, Building, and Economic Development Departments, requiring independent judgment and initiative.

• Supervises, plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the work of Department employees.
• Oversees the development and implementation of all planning and development related processes within the City of Johnston including planning, zoning, land development, annexation, site plans, subdivisions, code enforcement, building inspections and issuance of permits.
• Develops policies and procedures designed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of departmental operations and address all planning and development related processes within the City of Johnston.
• Supervises and coordinates the development and revision of the comprehensive plan, subdivision regulations, zoning ordinance, building and housing codes and other regulations related to community development.
• Informs and advises the City Administrator, or their designee, of departmental needs; provides recommendations to the City Administrator, or their designee, in the preparation and administration of the departmental operating and capital budgets.
• Provides staff support to Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustment and related boards and committees and prepares, edits, reviews, organizes and conveys development and planning information and recommendations to those bodies and to the City Council.
• Works with the Communications Department to effectively communicate activities within the department.
• Actively presents information about the department to service clubs, civic groups, City Council and other stakeholders and organizations concerning departmental activities. Initiates and promotes public information activities related to the department, including working with staff/citizen committees and conducting neighborhood meetings.
• Assists in the preparation of the capital improvement program with a primary focus of public infrastructure (water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, streets) to serve expansion areas and future development.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Mayor, City Council, civic groups, departments and the public.
• Supervises and coordinates the City's Economic Development Department and incentive programs.
• Supervises and coordinates the City’s sustainability efforts, including the development, implementation, education, training and tracking/monitoring of environmental initiatives within the overall organization to promote sustainability and reduce ecological impact.
• Supervises and coordinates the City's Building Department.
• Supervises and coordinates the City's Stormwater Utility, including long range planning, budgeting, management, oversight and financing of capital improvement program projects and homeowner grant programs.
• Serves as liaison between the City and developers, contractors, builders and various State and Federal agencies.
• Performs special projects for the City Administrator or Assistant City Administrator as requested.
• Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees.
• Regular work attendance is required.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in community and regional planning or related field and five years of responsible administrative and supervisory experience in municipal land use administration preferred. Master’s degree preferred.

• AICP certification preferred
• Valid Iowa Driver's license

Comprehensive knowledge of community planning principles and public administration practices required. Knowledge of municipal budgetary practices and construction and engineering principles. Ability to provide administrative direction and oversight within a municipal department and to supervise, train, evaluate and lead the work of others. Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical…