Planning Director

The Town of Johnstown is actively hiring a new Planning Director to be part of our dynamic and passionate team. Our organizational guiding principles are: Teamwork, Innovation, Integrity, Communication, and Service Excellence. Strategically located along the Front Range and adjacent to the I-25 corridor, Johnstown is a rapidly growing community of more than 19,000 people. A strong blend of both residential and commercial identifies the Town as it continues to grow and develop into a recognized local and regional leader. The Director oversees the Planning Department and Building Division which consists of three Planning Staff and a Building Permit Technician. The position is open until filled and a first review of applicants is expected to begin not later than the week of September 4th.

JOB SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for the administration, coordination and management of all land use, zoning, development, and building related projects and permits within the Town while exercising a high degree of trust, integrity and confidence. Responsibilities require consistent attention and commitment to the Town’s mission and philosophy. This position requires an in-depth knowledge of municipal planning practices, a high level of problem-solving ability, and initiative. The Director will use independent discretion and judgment within established organization values, policies and procedures and represent the Town as necessary during interactions with the public, business, and other organizations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other nonessential or peripheral duties that may be required. The Town of Johnstown retains the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of the job at any time.

• Provides direction, schedules and assigns work, reviews accomplishments, and manages departmental resources in accordance with established planning, budgetary, and performance parameters.
• Prepares, presents and manages the departmental budget and pursues and administers grant funding where available. Responsible for reviewing and approving departmental expenditures with the approved budget.
• Manages, coordinates, and oversees the timely delivery of Planning activities including all land use, site planning and subdivision review and analyses, site inspections, contract and agreement negotiation and administration, manage multiple external vendors that provide development review services to the Town.
• Plans, implements and manages new and existing departmental programs and procedures for the delivery of customer service. Customers include the general public, business and property owners, construction contractors and developers, consultants and legal counsel, Town Manager, members of the Town Council, employees and officials of other government agencies and private businesses, and members of homeowner and other community groups/organizations.
• May represent or serve as a team member on behalf of the Town in the negotiation of various contractual agreements, coordination of legal reviews, securing necessary approvals, and preparation and presentation of information to the Town Manager and Council and others concerning contractual requirements/awards and obligations.
• Evaluates department staffing requirements; and directs/participates in staffing decisions; provides training for employees; monitors and evaluates employee performance; and identifies needs for professional development.
• Serves as primary staff for and manage the agenda, minutes, and hearings before the Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC), including appropriate legal and mailed notifications and publications for a variety of project types heard by the PZC and Town Council.
• Works with regional partners on planning projects and coordination of numerous referral agencies.
• Meets regularly with Town contracted engineering (civil, traffic, water) and building review firms on private development and permitting issues.
• Implements local floodplain regulations in compliance with State and Federal requirements, updating flood maps, plans, and policies of the community, and any of activities related to administration of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
• Represent the Town in various capacities on panels, committees, task forces and other relevant forums as assigned.
• Exhibits strong leadership skills. Provides constructive feedback and collaborates on issues and solutions.
• Supervises and guides the Planning and Building staff in development of goals, objectives, workload review, and performance evaluations. Plans workloads and staff assignments; trains, motivates and evaluates staff; reviews progress and directs changes as needed.
• Interprets ordinances, regulations, codes, standards and criteria as they apply to development project and permitting tasks, including site and landscape design, architectural elevations, technical studies/reports, construction drawings, site plans and subdivision plats.
• Track and report on development and permitting activity in Town.
• Maintain the Johnstown Area Comprehensive Plan, the Land Use & Development Code, and needed plans and programs to implement.
• Coordinate with members of the Police Department on code compliance and enforcement activities.
• Administer permitting and project tracking software (TRAKit / Central Square).
• Maintains frequent contact with the Town Manager regarding department issues, activities, and programs.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; staying abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of community development, building, and planning, proposed state legislation and similar.
• Performs other duties as required and/or assigned by the Town Manager.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

Minimum Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, landscape architecture, public administration, civil engineering or a closely related field is desired. Master’s Degree desired.

Job Requirements: Valid Colorado Driver’s License.

Special Training or Experience: Minimum 5 years of related experience.

Supervisory experience.

AICP preferred.

Experience as a Planning Director or Manager preferred.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

This Position Reports to: Town Manager

This Position has Supervisory and/or Management Responsibility for: Planners and Building Permit Technician

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Expert knowledge of the principles, practices, and requirements of public management and administration and the skill and ability to apply that knowledge to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Strong knowledge of planning practice as it related to current development review, long range planning and plan implementation, and application of municipal and building codes.
• Solid knowledge of management theory and practice and the skills to apply this knowledge in the selection, supervision, development/training and performance evaluation of supervisors, professionals, and administrative personnel.
• Current knowledge and understanding of applicable state and federal laws; the Town’s home-rule form of government and municipal codes/ordinances; relevant areas of municipal civil liability; Town personnel policies and procedures; department rules, regulations, and operating procedures; and the ability to apply that knowledge to perform essential job functions.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, public speaking, and written communication skills; solid staff leadership; public relations skills; and the ability to effectively communicate and interact with individuals or groups of individuals of varying social, cultural, economic, professional, and educational backgrounds, including the ability to effectively interact with individuals who may be angry, argumentative, or disagreeable; the ability to act with tact, good judgment, and discretion; and maintain the confidentiality of matters as appropriate.
• Solid knowledge of principles and practices of municipal planning and administration.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals, other organizations, and the general public, as well as effectively communicate with Town Officials when needed.

EQUIPMENT USED:

Standard office equipment–includes computers and peripherals, copy machine, and telephone.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Approximately 90% of this position’s duties are performed in an indoor business office environment, with 10% in the field inspecting development activities.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to conduct activities involving walking 20% of the time, standing 20% of the time, and sitting 60% of the time.
• Ability to grasp and manipulate office and similar other tools and materials.
• Ability to lift or carry up to 25 lbs., and to push or pull up to 30 lbs.
• Ability to conduct activities involving climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling/bending, crouching, crawling, twisting, climbing, and reaching on a moderate basis.
• Ability to participate in routine conversation in person or via telephone and to distinguish telephone, voice and other auditory tones.
• Ability to distinguish objects in low and bright light using visual capacity including peripheral vision, depth perception, color vision, and far and near acuity in order to observe all elements of the situation and document the results.
• Ability to use a computer for extended periods of time.
• Ability to operate machinery, equipment, and vehicles.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to understand verbal information and instruction.
• Ability to exchange information with others and to develop and present recommendations.
• Ability to read and understand written information and ability to compose information and instruction in written form.
• Ability to translate verbal communication into effective written material, e.g. reports and other documents.
• Ability to use mathematical reasoning is necessary to carry out the budgeting and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to utilize analytical skills and apply results.
• Ability to use and apply technology.
• Multilingual ability is desirable. The ability to speak Spanish is particularly desirable.

This position description is not intended to be an exclusive list of all of the requirements, duties, tasks, roles or responsibilities associated with the position. Nothing in this position description restricts the Town's ability to assign, reassign, or eliminate duties and responsibilities at any time. The Town is an at-will employer, and Town employees may be separated from employment at any time at the discretion of management.

The Town of Johnstown provides generous benefits including vacation, holiday, sick time, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement plan contributions, and health savings accounts.

Expected starting salary: $120k - $148k

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Town of Johnstown is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection be based on job-related factors.