BACKGROUND:
If you enjoy working with others to reach a common vision, then the City of Cleveland Heights has an opportunity for you! The City of Cleveland Heights Department of Planning & Development is currently seeking an Assistant Director of Planning to lead a small, but creative staff within the Planning Division.
Cleveland Heights is an inner-ring suburb of Cleveland, Ohio with a population of just under 45,000 people. Cleveland Heights is a dynamic city with a legacy of intentional economic, racial, and cultural diversity and inclusion. With a strong local economy, diverse mix of cultures, walkable neighborhoods and business districts, and adjacency to University Circle, the City is undergoing rebirth and revitalization. The Planning & Development Department and the Planning Division in particular is front and center in allowing that revitalization to be realized as a collaborative team of creative thinkers dedicated to building effective planning processes for our communities through equitable land use & zoning, economic development, energy efficiency & resiliency, community development, racial justice, and environmental health.
SUMMARY:
Working under the general direction of the Director of Planning & Development, the Assistant Director of Planning is a high-profile, hand-on leadership position that develops, directs, administers, and coordinates planning activities for the City. The Assistant Director shoulders primary responsibility for a plurality of the Planning Division projects, including park planning, site plan reviews, zoning updates, and will play a significant role in updating and ensuring compliance of the City’s Master Plan. This position oversees the staffing of the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Landmark Commission, and provides advice and assistance to the Director of Planning & Development, Mayor, City Council, various City department directors, community and civic leaders, and the general public. The position involves supervising professional level personnel engaged in program activities and ensuring program compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
The list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only, and is not a comprehensive listing of all the duties and responsibilities performed.
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Assist the Director of Planning & Development on all planning matters
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Reviews applications and detailed site plans for new development; coordinates with developers for required and recommended modifications to ensure compliance with City ordinances and planning documents
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Provides technical assistance on planning and development issues and staff support to the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Landmark Commission
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Reviews and provides analysis on applications for zoning map. Prepares text amendments and map amendments
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Prepare development data and produces reports summarizing and analyzing such data (i.e., demographics)
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Oversees and establishes methodologies for data collection, analysis, and complex studies related to land use, demographics, and environmental impacts
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Assists the Director with preparation of staff reports
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Supports the Director in working with the Mayor and City Council on public policy issues and planning procedures
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Manage consultants and project teams involved in planning initiatives
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Prepare and present reports to various City boards and commissions including City Council and the Planning Commission
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Lead special studies related to neighborhood and community planning
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Work closely with the Assistant Directors of Economic Development and Community Development on housing initiatives, providing similar duties as listed above
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Represent the Department at conferences and work-related meetings as required; represent Department at meetings and events in the absence of the Director
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Uphold the City’s mission to be diverse, equitable, and inclusive as part of all planning activities
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Supervise the junior planning positions
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Perform other duties of a similar nature or level
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Maintain regular attendance and punctuality
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITES:
Exercises supervision of the personnel within the Planning Division. Supervises the employees in the Department of Planning & Development in the absence of the Director. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with City policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of:
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Advanced planning principles, practices, and techniques
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Municipal planning, including current and long-term planning, transportation, zoning, land use, parks, open space and natural resources, sustainability and resiliency, community development, and related public agency rules and procedures.
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City Codes and Ordinances, including, but not limited to, the Zoning Code
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Budget principles
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Research methods
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Computer software, including portal for tracking permits and approvals, zoning tools, word processing, spreadsheets, and power point
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Customer service and relationship management principles and processes
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Supervision and leadership techniques, principles, and procedures to assign work, schedule, supervise, train, and evaluate the work of assigned staff
Skill in:
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Hands-on budget management skills including budget preparation, analysis, decision-making and reporting
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Critical thinking, using logic and reasoning to understand, analyze, and evaluate complex situations and research information to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions
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Strong organizational abilities including planning, delegating, program development and task facilitation
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Interpersonal and written communication, with other Department staff, other staff, elected officials, and the public
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Public speaking, delivering presentations and having personal conversations with individuals and groups of diverse backgrounds and experiences
Ability to:
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See projects through from conception to completion
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Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules and regulations
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Manage multiple priorities simultaneously
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Work collaboratively in a team environment with internal and external stakeholders
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Creatively solve problems and to establish and maintain a positive customer service attitude
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Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing
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Supervise the work of professional and administrative staff and consultants
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Review site plans, landscape plans, lighting plans, and building elevations to determine code compliance
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Build and maintain strong relationships between the City and stakeholders, including stakeholders, the public, elected officials, developers, businesses owners, and members of planning departments from other municipalities
EDUCATION AND / OR EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies, City Planning, Urban Design, Public Administration, or a related field. Five (5) years of recent progressively responsible professional experience in planning or community development environment, including supervisory experience. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered.
CERTIFICATION/ LICENSURE:
AICP preferred
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The work environment and physical demands 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 individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
HOURS OF WORK
The normal work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (40 hours per week). The position requires reporting to City Hall most of the time, but working remotely may be approved, if and when appropriate. Attendance at evening meetings is part of the job.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work will occur in an office and field environment. While performing the duties and responsibilities the employee may be exposed to varying weather conditions and other related conditions and situations.
The City of Cleveland Heights is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status.
