PLANNING & ZONING DIRECTOR/ SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR

Supervisor:      City Manager

Classification:  Salary, Exempt

Salary Range:  $108,306 – $119,538 per year

Supervises:      (1) Planning and Zoning Full-Time Administrative Assistant

TO APPLY: Email cover letter and resume to citymgr@franklinnh.gov.

The Planning & Zoning Director is a full-time, department head position responsible for supervising, directing, and managing all administrative and technical aspects of the Planning and Zoning Department.  The Planning and Zoning Department is responsible for the effective delivery of planning related services including plan review, subdivision review, administration of the building permit process, zoning administration and enforcement. The Director is accountable for the provision of responsive, cost-effective, and efficient delivery of City planning services.  The Director leads the department’s day-to-day operations and works closely with the City’s Code Enforcement and Inspection teams to provide applicants, boards, and residents with a clear, consistent, and well-coordinated process from application through permitting and inspection.

 The Planning and Zoning Director also performs the role of “special projects coordinator”. This includes playing an active role in initiatives surrounding economic development and code enforcement and, as opportunities arise, participating in the writing of grants and coordinating resulting projects (examples include Brownfields grants, watershed grants, NHDOT & NHDES grants etc.). 

The Planning and Zoning Director reports directly to the City Manager.  Activities are conducted with considerable operational independence, technical knowledge, and judgment under the supervision of the City Manager.  The City Manager is frequently consulted and advised on key planning matters and evaluates the department’s work effectiveness.

Duties:  The examples below are for illustrative purposes only and may not include all duties found in this position:

1. Establishes department goals, objectives, policies, regulations, and procedures based upon the needs of the City of Franklin and the Planning and Zoning Department.
2. Develops and maintains clear, consistent departmental procedures, checklists, and workflows for application intake, review, permitting, and inspection, in coordination with the Code Enforcement and Inspection teams, to ensure efficient service to applicants and residents.
3. Investigates, studies, reports, and recommends on all matters relating to land use, zoning, traffic, parking, transportation, public facilities, population trends, downtown development, subdivisions, and industrial expansion.  Reviews and recommends updates to the City’s Master Plan.
4. Continually evaluates the effectiveness and responsiveness of the department.  Supervises and directs Planning and Zoning Department personnel.  Interviews applicants for department vacancies; makes hiring and firing recommendations to the City Manager.
5. Directs, coordinates, and keeps apprised of all department procedures, practices, and functions.  Takes necessary steps to improve department operations.  Collaborates frequently with the Manager, peers and subordinates when initiating projects, assessing project progress, resolving work and program problems.
6. Responsible for the enforcement of local zoning and land use codes and coordinates with the State of NH on State land use laws and regulations.  Works closely with the City’s Code Enforcement Officer and Inspection staff to coordinate enforcement of code violations and keep communication between the offices clear and timely.  Enforcement activities include on-site inspections, testifying in court and legal proceedings, issues Cease and Desist orders. Reviews ordinances, covenants, and/or easement proposals. 
7. Performs technical reviews of all subdivisions and non-residential site plans to be heard before the Planning Board that may include site access, building location, pedestrian and traffic circulation. Responsible for the review of plans and specifications for compliance with City ordinances and solid planning principles and coordinates the review of applications by various City departments. Meets with architects, engineers, consultants, and lawyers, to clarify design issues and obtain compliance. Performs site inspections as appropriate. 
8. Prepares memo and other documents for the Planning and Zoning Boards and Heritage Commission, as well as draft decisions to be reviewed, revised, and issued by either Board.  Attend all Planning and Zoning Board meetings during the regularly scheduled meeting calendar.  Supervises preparation of meeting agendas and minutes.
9. Maintains positive and constructive working relationships with residents, City personnel, appointed board members, elected officials, media representatives, civic leaders, and State and Federal authorities.
10. Prepares and administers the Department’s budget. Maintains records and documentation of projects and budget expenditures.  Supervises departmental expenditures and analyzes operational costs. Develops and updates department’s capital improvement plan.  Assists with the developing, reviewing and recommending changes of planning and zoning fee structure.
11. Assists the Assessing Department with City mapping services and GIS implementation.  Maintains City flood plain maps.  Partners with Municipal Services, Fire, and City Clerk Departments with City street registry. 
12. Directs the City building permit process by coordinating permit review and certificates of occupancy requests with other City departments and reviews all permits for completeness and conformance with local zoning regulations.  Works with the Code Enforcement and Inspection teams to continually refine the permit process for clarity and timeliness.
13. Identifies and pursues state and federal grant opportunities as appropriate; prepares applications and administers grants as directed.
14. Attends monthly City Council meetings, committee, and budget work sessions.  Makes presentations as required.  Prepares routine and cyclical reports, as required, to provide a record of operations, the progress of work, and proposed work.  Writes clear and concise reports. 
15. Keeps abreast of professional developments in the fields of City planning, development, code enforcement, and office management by outside reading and study and attendance at professional meetings. Participates in regional planning forums such as the Office of State Planning, Lakes Region Planning Commission, New Hampshire Municipal Association, HUD and various other State and regional efforts.
16. Performs other related duties as required.

The office of the Planning and Zoning Director is located in the Proulx Center, located at 124 Memorial Street, just a short walk from Franklin City Hall at 316 Central Street.  Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  The Director is expected to work appropriate hours to effectively perform the duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of land use planning, including urban zoning, conservation practices, downtown revitalization, and watershed management.  Working knowledge of local zoning, subdivision, and site plan regulations and New Hampshire land use statutes.  Ability to develop, document, and continually improve administrative procedures and office workflows.  Knowledge of budget development, budgetary practices, and procedures.  Ability to lead, plan, organize and direct the work of peers, volunteer boards, and subordinates performing various planning activities.  Ability to maintain effective working relationships and open lines of communications with other officials, State and Federal authorities, civic leaders, and the public. Ability to prepare and present effectively, oral and written material relating to the activities of the department. This position requires considerable independence and judgment, but also requires dedication to a positive team approach along with other Department Heads and other City staff. 

Personal Qualifications:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with major study in a planning related field strongly desired OR any equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities including:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to speak effectively before large groups of people.
• Proven skills in personnel management including team building, consensus building, delegation, communication and problem solving. 
• Demonstrated ability to organize workflows, improve administrative processes, and collaborate across departments, including code enforcement and inspection.
• Firm understanding of budget preparation and fiscal management.
• Exhibits a proactive and responsive public service philosophy.
• Experienced with computers and computer literate. Skills should include Windows operating system, Windows Office Suite, and Geographical Information System programs; familiarity with permit tracking or workflow software is helpful. 
• Knowledge of Tax Increment Financing Districts, revitalization zones, building codes, Life Safety codes, and engineering practices.
• Apply logical thinking to solve problems and accomplish tasks.
• Read, analyze, and interpret professional periodicals, journals, technical procedures, and government regulations.
• Strong conflict resolution skills.
• Experience with grant writing and administration and/or economic development is desirable.
• NHPA affiliation desired.

Conditions of Employment & Physical Exertion/Environmental Conditions:

Successful completion of a criminal background, educational, and driver’s license record check. Some physical effort involving frequent standing and/or walking and occasional strenuous positions.  Working conditions may be disagreeable due to variable climatic conditions, emotional stress, and exposure to hazards associated with field inspections and other physical labor.

The City of Franklin is an Equal Opportunity Employer