Date: February 2025

Town of Bethel

Job Title: Director of Planning and Zoning

Department: Planning and Zoning Department

Position Goal:

Develop, manage, administer and supervise the programs and activities of the Town of Bethel’s Planning & Zoning Department. This includes the functional areas of administration, supervision of development application reviews, oversight of recordkeeping, and conducting a comprehensive planning and development program for the Town. This position is responsible for enforcing and administering the Town’s zoning and subdivision regulations; updating and implementing the Plan of Conservation and Development; providing technical services; coordinating reviews with other Town departments, and serving as a spokesperson for the Planning & Zoning Commission.

Essential Functions:

• Advises and provides technical services and support to the Planning & Zoning Commission in updating and implementing the Plan of Conservation and Development, Zoning regulations, Subdivision regulations, and all other planning and land use-related issues.
• Provides support to the Planning & Zoning Commission on plan review-related issues involving land use (subdivisions, site plans), historic districts, zoning overlays, etc.
• Evaluates and prepares written comments on land use/development applications, applications for subdivision, site plans, special permits, zoning appeals/variances and other petitions or applications which come before the Planning & Zoning Commission and/or the Zoning Board of Appeals.
• Meets with applicants and/or their representatives, design and construction professionals, and responds to local citizen inquiries about Town planning and zoning regulations and ordinances; resolves complex disputes between planners, applicants, and residents, as required.
• Renders technical decisions involving interpretation and enforcement of zoning regulations.
• Oversees the development of commercial and industrial-zoned properties to be in accordance with applicable regulations.
• Works closely with Inland Wetlands Agent on matters pertaining to land use. Coordinates with other Town departments for feedback and expertise on technical matters.
• Develops and administers the operating budget of the Planning & Zoning Department.
• Prepares and maintains an official zoning map of the Town, and makes available copies of the zoning map to the general public.
• Coordinates planning projects for the Town. Prepares studies, reports, and relating information for decision-making purposes.
• Contributes to housing, conservation, recreation, transportation and historic preservation plans.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Attends and participates in regular meetings of the Planning & Zoning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals.
• Serves as spokesperson for the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals and advocates for the Town’s interests.
• Appears for the Planning & Zoning Commission in legal cases; testifies on Commission actions, and coordinates the preparation of materials for presentation in court, as required.
• Supervises staff and makes recommendations on hiring, termination, and compensation of Planning & Zoning Department personnel.
• Ensures the maintenance of accurate and complete records of department activities and of records relating to permits, public hearing transcriptions, maps, surveys, building plans, overlay maps and sketches pertinent to community development programs and projects. Maintains a database of information for planning purposes.
• Organizes and maintains computerized and permanent hard copy zoning and subdivision files for public record purposes and develops the land use and zoning-related portions of the Town’s geographic information system.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's and/or Master's degree in city and regional planning, urban planning, or other planning field accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB);  OR a degree in urban design, public administration, municipal development, or related field from an accredited college or university; AND five or more years' progressive experience in municipal planning and zoning enforcement.   Current American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification highly desirable.
• Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of land use planning, as well as a thorough understanding of zoning enforcement.
• Considerable ability to develop short-term and long-range comprehensive plans for land use administration; to perform technical research and analysis in the field of planning; to prepare and present reports and to make sound technical recommendations; to read and interpret construction plans, drawings and specifications; to make difficult decisions within deadlines in an environment of regulations and competing claims; to enforce regulations with firmness and tact; to plan and prioritize department operations to meet established statutory deadlines; to prepare and administer an operating budget for the department; to establish and maintain effective and courteous working relationships; and to maintain a calm manner in stressful and/or emergency situations.
• Capacity to handle numerous complex projects at one time; a high level of aptitude at conflict resolution; research, analytical, legal compliance and municipal planning skills; and strong presentation and reporting skills required.
• Experience using GIS software such as ESRI ArcGIS, QGIS, MapInfo Pro, etc.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to exercise tact and courtesy in dealing with the public.

Supervision Exercised:

All employees assigned to the Planning & Zoning Department.

Supervision Received:

General supervision received from the First Selectman and policy direction from the Planning & Zoning Commission.

Physical Demands - SEE ATTACHED SHEET

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

License or Certificate:

• Current valid American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification, or ability to obtain AICP certification within two (2) years.
• Valid Connecticut motor vehicle driver’s license.