Director of the Department of Planning and Development

FLSA DESIGNATION: Exempt/Full Time

Pay Classification:  Grade 8

The Town of Hartford, VT is seeking a highly skilled professional to serve as the Director of the Department of Planning and Development. This position is responsible for the efficient and effective operation, oversight, coordination and execution of administrative, technical and supervisory activities for all aspects of the Department, and provides strategic leadership and professional planning expertise for the Town. This includes advancing the Town’s planning initiatives, guiding growth and development in alignment with community goals as stated in the Town Plan and other documents. The Director reports to the Town Manager and supervises four staff people responsible for a broad array of subjects including Town current and long-range land use planning, zoning and related permitting, housing, community planning, historic preservation, transportation planning, community and economic development, conservation, hazard mitigation, and community resilience. The Department also provides administrative and program support for various Town appointed commissions, boards and committees related to these planning and development areas.

Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in urban or regional planning, community development or other relevant disciplines, at least 5 years of experience in a public setting including municipal experience, and at least 3 years of progressive supervisory or managerial experience.  The ideal candidate must be detail oriented, self-motivated, well-organized; able to manage multiple priorities; and have strong communication, analytical and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with other staff and the public.  Pay range is $42.61 to $59.61 per hour. Benefit package includes health insurance with generous HRA and $600 well-being rewards; dental insurance; life insurance; VMERS pension plan; discounted gym membership; vacation, sick, and personal days; and 14 paid holidays.

To Apply

Submit cover letter and resume to: Town of Hartford, Attn: John Haverstock, Town Manager, 171 Bridge Street, White River Junction, VT 05001 or jhaverstock@hartford-vt.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Duties & Responsibilities

The following is a list of the more common duties attributable to the position. This list may not be all inclusive and may be amended from time to time by the Town Manager as circumstances may dictate.

• Plan, implement, administer, coordinate, monitor and evaluate all activities and functions of the Department.
• Supervise and direct staff assignment of duties and responsibilities commensurate with efficient and effective management practices and policies of the Town, including annual performance evaluations for four (4) employees: Zoning Administrator, Planner, Housing and Development Specialist and Administrative Assistant.
• Develop and manage implementation of the Department’s annual budget, including monitoring expenses, revenues, grants, reimbursements, processing invoices, year-end closeout, and providing information for internal and outside program and financial monitoring and audits.
• Oversee staff review and assessment of development applications including subdivisions, site plans, conditional use permits and other similar land use requests.
• Provide directly or through Department staff, administrative and programmatic support to the Town’s Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Conservation Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Housing Committee, Resilient Committee, and Hartford Business Revolving Loan Fund Committee, and other Town and regional governing or advisory bodies.
• Oversee directly and/or through Department staff the development, implementation, and revisions as warranted for the Town Plan, Hartford’s Tax Increment Financing District, Department Capital Improvement Program, Zoning and Subdivision and other Town and State bylaws, rules, regulations, and policy documents pertinent to the Department’s areas of responsibility.
• Undertake or oversee Department staff activity in applying for and administering State, Federal, and other grant programs.
• Serve as Town liaison to various local, regional, State and Federal agencies and non-governmental entities on planning and development matters, working collaboratively and facilitating efficient communication and problem-solving across all parties.
• Confer regularly with other Town Departments to plan, exchange information, investigate and resolve problems and to provide technical assistance regarding planning and development where and when needed.
• Deal effectively with and represent the Town to government agencies, developers, media representatives, community groups, businesses and others outside of Town government.
• Stay well informed and up to date on legislative issues and changes in laws affecting the interests of the Department and Town, and reporting same to appropriate Town officials.
• Perform other duties necessary to obtain Selectboard or Town wide votes on Department programs or projects.
• Prepare directly and oversee staff preparation and presentation on various reports, grant applications and program progress reports at frequent Selectboard meetings throughout the year.
• Prepare directly and oversee staff preparation for presentations, workshops, and discussions with Town commissions, boards, committees, and community members on various subject areas.
• Identify strategies to promote economic growth, business retention, and redevelopment including pursing grant opportunities and other funding sources.
• Advise the Town Manager in determining the impact and implementation of technical and legal developments affecting the subject areas within the Department.
• Compile or oversee Department staff compilation of information from both manual and computerized records for regular and special reports for submission throughout the year to meet Town, State or Federal program and /or grant requirements.
• Ensure Department compliance on proper public notice, legal advertisements, and documentation for hearings and decisions.
• Ensure Department compliance with Town Personnel Procedures and Procurement policies and procedures, and any other relevant Town, State and Federal requirements.
• Assist in the coordination of specific functions, services, and activities of assigned areas of Town government in accordance with Town needs and resources, and State and Federal laws and regulations.
• Serve as support staff upon activation of the Town’s Emergency Operations Center as situationally required.
• Be responsible for accurate and efficient filing, cataloging and archiving all Departmental records and documents.
• Oversee Department’s submissions for the annual Town Report.

Required Training, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The Incumbent must have a:

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in urban or regional planning, community development or other relevant disciplines. Minimum of 5 years of planning experience in a public setting including municipal experience. Minimum of 3 years of progressive supervisory or managerial experience in a planning setting, demonstrating both technical and supervisory skills in a broad range of planning and development areas, including zoning, housing, community and economic development experience. A combination of education and experience which demonstrate the above required skills and abilities may be considered.
• Demonstrated knowledge of planning, land use, zoning, subdivision, and community development principles, and familiarity with Vermont’s land use laws, and Tax Increment Financing, economic development, housing, historic preservation, and natural resource/conservation programs.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Town staff, boards, officials, developers, and the public.
• Demonstrate in-depth appreciation and understanding of the principals and practices associated with effective administrative and managerial skills.
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, well-organized and able to work under pressure and to meet multiple deadlines.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate complex development proposals.
• Ability to work with and develop consensus amongst persons or groups with divergent interests.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and public presentation.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.
• The position requires regular interaction with the public, boards, developers, and other stakeholders, often involving competing priorities and deadlines.

Other Requirements of Work

• Work is performed in a professional office environment generally during regular business hours but may require extended hours or weekends periodically to attend meetings or meet deadlines, and working in all types of weather.
• Some local travel; more distant travel may be required for seminars, conferences, etc.
• Sitting, standing, stooping, crouching, walking on uneven ground, speaking, hearing, ability to read and visual acuity.
• Occasionally lift up to 5 pounds.
• Operate standard office equipment including PCs and commonly used computer programs (i.e. Microsoft, Word, Excel) telephone, copier, calculator, camera, cell phone, personal and/or printer, and develop and maintain files.
• Reliable transportation and valid driver’s license.

Disclaimers

• The above information is intended to describe the general nature of this position and should not be considered a comprehensive statement of duties, activities, responsibilities and requirements.
• Additional duties, activities, responsibilities, and requirements may be assigned with or without notice at any given time.
• This job description is neither an employment contract nor a promise of work for any specific length of time.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Town of Hartford is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.