Assistant Planning Director

This position supports the Planning Director in managing the City Planning Department and provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for long–range planning initiatives. The role focuses on developing and implementing policies, programs, and strategic plans that shape the city’s future. Key responsibilities include guiding the vision and execution of major plans such as the Community Master Plan, overseeing special projects like the River for All Initiative, and managing programs such as Age‑Friendly initiatives.

Additional duties encompass project management, plan implementation, budget development, and coordination of citywide strategic planning efforts.

• Oversees daily development functions of the Planning Division
• Provides oversight and coordination of short–range and long–range strategic planning functions
• Communicates with developers and/or other professional representatives to discuss projects, zoning implications and review processes
• Develops and implements policy and programs, including updates to zoning ordinance
• Meets with neighborhood businesses and other community groups
• Administers zoning ordinance and responds to questions from the public and other interested parties concerning zoning regulations
• Supervises subordinate professional, technical, clerical staff and temporary employees and interns; completes employee evaluations, reviews time sheets and performs other administrative tasks; and, reviews work and work load with staff
• Reviews business licenses for Planning Department in coordination with other departments including Clerk and Building and Code Compliance
• Assists in the preparation of Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals meetings, participates in or assists with Commission/Board meetings
• Manages special projects
• Performs related work as required

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Planning, Architecture or a related field

• At least five (5) to seven (7) years of related City planning, project coordination, zoning administration and supervisory work experience

• Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities

Knowledge of:

• English grammar, spelling, punctuation
• Legal terminology and court procedures
• Principles of public administration and supervision
• Principles and practices of municipal planning
• Statutes and municipal ordinances governing municipal planning
• Principles and practices of basic bookkeeping
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment
• Zoning Ordinance and Master Plan
• City priorities and objectives
• City review processes
• Public administration and state statutes

Skill in:

• Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships
• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature
• Performing basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and ratios
• Oral and written communication
• Assigning, prioritizing, monitoring, and reviewing work assignments
• Interpersonal, verbal and written communication
• Conflict resolution
• Research and organization
• Sound planning principles
• Meeting facilitation
• Critical thinking

Ability to:

• Meet schedules and deadlines of the work
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Explain complex code issues to varied audiences
• Make decisions and provide clear direction
• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
• Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
• Research and answer complex questions
• Manage projects
• Coordinate and evaluate the work of professional planning staff
• Prepare and make comprehensive presentations
• Work effectively with stakeholders, boards and commissions

• Medical, Dental, and Vision starting on Day 1
• 7% employee 401(a) contribution with employer matching
• Employee & Employer contributions to Retiree Health Savings Account
• Voluntary benefits such as term life insurance, flexible spending accounts, accidental insurance,…