Community Development Director

City of Essex Junction

Job Classification Description

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR 

GRADE 10

BASIC FUNCTION

To administer and oversee the development and enforcement of the City Land Development Code; prepare and implement the City Comprehensive Plan; including both current and long-range planning functions. Provide advice and assistance to the City Manager on development-related issues. Act as the City representative with developers, and regional and state representatives, when appropriate.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary

• Plan, request, and administer a department operating budget.
• Supervise the Assistant Zoning Administrator/Administrative Assistant to the Community Development Director.
• Exercise considerable independent judgment and initiative in developing and implementing policies and programs, directing the development review process, long-range planning and in managing technical projects and department affairs.
• Make frequent contact with other City departments, schools, the general public, state and regional agencies, and the development community requiring perceptiveness and discretion in explaining technical and procedural requirements; spend considerable time at meetings.
• Meet with prospective businesses interested in locating in the City, inform them of all aspects of the Essex Junction community, assist them in locating property, etc.
• Skillset and ability to proactively generate problem-solving approaches to planning and design issues in the City. 
• Ability to influence development proposals in the early stages to improve the outcome for the City and the applicant.
• Provide a holistic overview of development scenarios for the City and work with surrounding communities (when appropriate) for outcomes that benefit all.
• Work with the City Manager to nurture existing City businesses and encourage new investment in the development of the City.
• In-depth knowledge of the City Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan.
• Review and assess development applications, including subdivisions, site plans, conditional use permits and similar land use requests.
• Serve as a liaison with various state and regional agencies regarding development matters.

Community Development Director (continued) 

• Assist the City Manager in economic development initiatives.
• Keep the City Manager updated on major planning and zoning issues.
• Assist the public in completing applications and interpreting the Land Development Code.
• Prepare staff reports for the Development Review Board; and agenda packets for the Planning Commission.
• Act as chief compliance officer and oversee the overall enforcement efforts to ensure compliance with the Essex Junction Land Development Code, Development Review Board Findings, and the Essex Junction Fee Schedule.
• Attend all Planning Commission, Development Review Board, construction meetings, and other meetings as assigned by the City Manager.
•  Perform a variety of general public relations functions, disseminating information to the media, community groups, and the like.
•  Keep abreast of current developments in the field.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Direction is received from the City Manager.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervise the Assistant Zoning Administrator/Administrative Assistant to the Community Development Director

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public administration, or related field or equivalent work experience. 
• Preferred Master’s degree in urban or regional planning, environmental studies, public administration, or another appropriate discipline, plus two to four years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.  Master’s Degree and AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) or RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute) preferred.  A second professional affiliation in landscape architecture with the ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects) is deemed beneficial.
• A broad base of planning-related technical knowledge and skills, including engineering, local government, housing, public works, and the like.
•  Desirable to have knowledge of GIS (Geographic Information System).
•  Ability to conduct site visits and inspections.
• Ability to deal effectively with and represent the City to government agencies, developers, media, community groups, citizens, businesses, and the community.
• A broad base of planning-related technical knowledge and skills, including engineering, local government, housing, public works, and the like.
• Desirable to have knowledge of GIS (Geographic Information System).
• Ability to conduct site visits and inspections.
• Ability to deal effectively with and represent the City to government agencies, developers, media, community groups, citizens, businesses, and the community.
•  Ability to read land surveys, engineering drawings, construction drawings, and maps.
• Ability to communicate effectively both oral and written, including public presentations and conflict resolution.
•  A valid driver’s license is required.

 Affirmative Action/EEO Statement:

The City of Essex Junction embraces and is committed to diversity and equal opportunity.  We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.  The more inclusive we are as a team, the better we will be able to serve the broader community of Essex Junction.

DISCLAIMER: The above information is intended to describe the general nature of this position and is not to be considered a complete statement of duties, responsibilities, and requirements.

EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I acknowledge that I have received this job description.  I understand the job to which I am assigned and acknowledge that I can perform the primary duties and responsibilities of the position.  I further understand that management has the right to assign job duties and may update the job description from time to time.

Name:__________________________________

Signature:_______________________________ Date:____________________­­­­­

We recognize that the more diverse our workforce is the more successful we will be. Diverse perceptives bring out better results.
We need to start from the ground up. We are talking about what is a respectful workplace. We need to have a shared language and definition of what that is. We then need to give managers the tools to address employees when things arise.