NATURE OF WORK

Leads the plan review process and performs technical work in connection with studies and recommendations relating to the physical development of the Town. Oversees the land use permitting process from start to finish and connects current development to long-range Town goals. Supervises planning staff and assists the Director in strategic department leadership. 

 ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Coordinates plan review process and communicates with developers, attorneys, engineers, Boards and Commissions, land use professionals and the general public.
• Serves in a staff capacity to Boards and Commissions, including the Planning and Zoning Commission/ Inland Wetland Agency, Cheney Brothers National Historic Landmark District Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals.
• Supervises and assigns work assignments to Environmental Planner/Wetlands Agent, Administrative Secretary and Recording Secretary.
• Serves as Director of Planning in the absence of the Director of Planning and Economic Development.
• Prepares reports, maps, graphs, and charts relating to land use and development.
• Performs research and compiles and analyzes data in connection with planning studies and reviews other studies by the department.
• Conducts research and drafts revisions to zoning, subdivision, and inland wetland regulations.
• Inspects sites, prepares comments in connection with applications to the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Inland Wetlands Agency affecting land use and development.
• Oversees consultant contracts and related work.
• At the current time, this is an opportunity for the successful candidate to lead a comprehensive rewrite of the Town’s zoning regulations in line with the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development, with the assistance of consultant resources.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

• Performs professional and administrative work for grant projects or other projects as assigned.
• Provides guidance related to development standards, regulations, and application procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Establishes and upholds land use permitting procedures. 

DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Considerable knowledge of the principles of planning and zoning administration. Some knowledge of civil engineering, landscape architecture, environmental planning or site planning, and state and local land use regulations, including zoning, historic resource protection, subdivisions, and inland wetlands.

• Ability to perform research and prepare technical reports. 

• Ability to interpret laws and regulations relating to the work of Town agencies responsible for land development control.

• Knowledge of Connecticut land use law. 

• Ability to communicate effectively with the public. Ability to establish, develop and maintain effective working relationships with Town officials, staff, and advisory boards.

• Skill in graphic display of information including maps, charts, and tables.

• Some knowledge or ability to learn computer applications for data management, permitting, and planning analysis, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and online land use permitting.

• Self-starting with strong independent decision-making ability and project management skills/experience.

• Superior writing ability and verbal communication skills. 

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EFFORT/ENVIRONMENTAL AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• Able to push/pull/lift objects weighing less than 20 lbs. Must be mobile and able to perform moderately difficult manipulative skills such as writing, typing, and using a calculator. Able to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time. Able to perform gross body movements, including tasks which require hand-eye coordination, such as using a computer. Able to navigate physical terrain to install public hearing signs and conduct on-site visits and inspections. 

• Able to see objects closely as in reading a report/map and to discriminate colors. Able to hear normal sounds with some background noise and communicate through human speech.

• Able to concentrate on fine detail with constant interruption. Need to attend to task/function for more than 60 minutes at a time. 

• Able to understand and relate to specific ideas, generally several at a time, and able to understand and relate to the theories behind several related concepts. 

• Able to remember multiple tasks/assignments given to self and others over long periods of time.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EFFORT/ENVIRONMENTAL AND WORKING CONDITIONS CONTINUED

• Ability to get along with co-workers, supervisors, customers, and the public at large.

• Exposure to electro-magnetic radiation as in computer screens.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

• Master's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning or a closely related field, plus three (3) years of professional experience in a planning office performing work related to the functions of a municipal planning department. Minimum one-year supervisory experience required; AICP certification preferred. Suitable experience may be substituted for educational attainment if deemed appropriate by the Town Manager or his designee. 

The position is open until filled.