Planning & Development Director

Job Summary:

The Planning & Development Director position is a senior management position which performs professional and administrative duties related to city planning, zoning, economic development, and code enforcement duties. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, initiating, implementing, monitoring, and updating municipal planning activities and community designs, coordinating of the writing of grants, and reviewing all residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional development and redevelopment proposals, guiding growth to appropriate areas of the City as outlined in various City planning documents building collaborative relationships with municipal departments, boards, commissions, state agencies, neighboring units of government, regional organizations and institutions, businesses, and residents, and initiating outreach activities on the mission and work of the department.

Duties:

Administrative Functions:

• Functions as Department Head, City Planner / Zoning Administrator.
• Responsible for the enforcement of the City’s Unified Development Ordinance (i.e., Zoning Ordinance, Property Maintenance Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, Floodplain / Shoreland Ordinance).
• Reviews applications and detailed site plans for new development; coordinates with developers for required and recommended modifications to ensure compliance with City Ordinances and planning documents. Communicates the City’s vision for development to affected property owners and developers.
• Analyzes and makes recommendations on policies and regulations related to planning, zoning, and land use, based on changing community needs. Make recommendations on requests for conditional use permits, site plan approvals and rezoning requests to
  the Plan Commission and City Council.
• Reviews applications for and issues permits for development.
• Inspects new developments for compliance with City site plan approvals.
• Routinely reviews and recommends amendments to city ordinances as needed.
• Reviews and approves all Certified Survey Maps (CSMs) required for any parcel boundary change in the City.
• Implements, monitors, updates various City plans including, but not limited to: the City’s Comprehensive Plan, City’s Waterfront Development Plan, the Economic Development Strategic, the Housing Strategic Plan, etc.
• Initiates planning activities and projects as determined necessary by the City.
• Coordinates with the Public Works and Parks & Recreation Departments on various street, recreational corridor, and utility infrastructure improvement projects.
• Coordinates the creation, revision, expansion of City Tax Incremental financing (TIF) Districts.
• Investigates grant opportunities and assigns departmental resources to prepare grant submittals in conciliation with the City Administrator.
• Leads sustainability initiatives.

Supervisory Functions:

• Supervises the City’s Building Inspector, Assistant Planner, Property Maintenance Code Enforcement Officer, Interns, and other LTEs.
• Supervises the preparation of agendas, coordination of meeting schedules, staff reports and presentation materials for various committees, including the Plan Commission, Housing Committee, Sustainability Committee and Historic Preservation Commission.
• Makes recommendations to the City Administrator on Department staffing and performance.
• Lead staff person in the review and analysis of property parcels considered for acquisition or disposition.
• Provides assistance on and lead for miscellaneous planning projects.
• Supervises and assists with the issuance of building permits and inspections.
• Supervises and assists with the enforcement of the City’s Property Maintenance Ordinance.
• Supervises and assists with the administration of Community Development Block Grants in support of the CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program.
• Accountable for the preparation of Planning department materials and agenda bills for distribution to the Common Council and Committee of the Whole.

Community Relations Functions:

• Assists public with questions pertaining to building and zoning permits.
• Develops educational materials and outreach efforts to inform the public of City zoning and development regulations, and development projects within the community.
• Provides planning support for the cleanup and redevelopment of properties within the City of Ashland.

Qualifications:

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in planning or related field from an accredited college or university is required.
• Master’s degree in planning or related field from an accredited college or university is highly preferred.
• Three or more years of satisfactory performance in a setting involving local or regional planning and zoning administration duties, and supervisory responsibilities, or an equivalent combination of education and experience to properly and effectively fulfill
  the job duties.

Certifications, Licenses, and Other Requirements:

• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) – highly preferred.
• A valid Wisconsin Motor vehicle operator license, or the ability to acquire one, is a continuing requirement of employment.

Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of:
  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of planning, zoning, development, redevelopment, housing, construction and maintenance; familiarity with land economics, urban design, municipal finance and other related subjects as applied
    to community development.
  • Knowledge of general laws and administrative policies governing planning & zoning practice and procedures, and governing the application and enforcement of zoning and other land use ordinances.
  • General knowledge of geographic information systems.
  • Knowledge of administrative methods, principles and practices, including management budgetary development and administration and personnel management and administration.
• Ability to:
  • Ability to understand federal, state and county regulations related to property development.
  • Ability to develop a working knowledge of the City’s policies and ordinances related to land use, zoning, building inspection and land development.
  • Ability to research, write and administer various grants.
  • Ability to find, research, and correct problems with the City of Ashland’s land recordings, including parcels.
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment in interpreting and enforcing the zoning ordinance and other ordinances pertaining to community development and applying these interpretations to specific situations and proposals.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
  • Ability to motivate, manage and supervise employees with varying levels of education and work experience.
  • Ability to maintain effective working relationships with officials, other departments, public agencies and the general public.
  • Utilize geographic information systems in the performance of duties.
  • Identify, develop, and support activities to promote economic development.

Apply online at link included