Director of Planning and Development

Job title: Director of Planning and Development

About the Role The City of Johnston seeks a seasoned planning and development leader to oversee the planning, zoning, land development, and related functions, aligning departmental activities with City goals.

What You'll Do

• Supervises, plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the work of Department employees.
• Oversees the development and implementation of 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 to increase efficiency and effectiveness of departmental operations and address planning and development 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 for budgeting.
• 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 communicate activities; presents information about the department to service clubs, civic groups, City Council and other stakeholders; initiates and promotes public information activities and neighborhood meetings.
• Assists in the preparation of the capital improvement program with a primary focus on public infrastructure to serve expansion areas and future development.
• Establishes and maintains 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 development, implementation, education, training and tracking/monitoring of environmental initiatives.
• 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.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience supervising planning and development-related departments
• Extensive knowledge of planning, zoning, land development, annexation, site plans, subdivisions, code enforcement, building inspections, and permitting
• Experience developing policies and procedures, and revising the comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance, building and housing codes
• Strong budgeting and financial planning capabilities; ability to advise the City Administrator and manage departmental budgets
• Experience providing staff support to Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustment and related boards; effective communication with City Council
• Excellent communication and public information skills; ability to present to service clubs, civic groups, and the public; collaboration with Communications
• Experience with capital improvement programs and infrastructure planning
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Mayor, City Council, civic groups, departments, and the public
• Experience coordinating Economic Development and sustainability initiatives
• Experience coordinating Building Department and Stormwater Utility activities
• Experience serving as liaison to developers, contractors, state and federal agencies; ability to manage special projects