The Town of Taos is seeking qualified applicants for the following full-time position which includes an excellent benefit package; 100% major medical premium paid for employee with a choice of State of New Mexico Blue Cross Blue Shield, HMO & PPO, Presbyterian, State of New Mexico Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) Retirement, personal leave and holiday pay, employee development and training programs and much more!
VA#25-26-37
Job Title: Planning Director
Planning & Zoning Department
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Annual Salary: $72,967.96
Opening Date: April 13, 2026
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
GENERAL PURPOSE
Performs a variety of professional, administrative and managerial duties related to planning, directing, organizing, and controlling the Planning, Zoning and Code Enforcement Department, including planning, zoning, building, business and short-term rental registration, FEMA floodplain management and code enforcement for the building, property maintenance, signage and other municipal codes. Serves as liaison to and staffs the recently combined Planning and Zoning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Main Street, Land Use Development Committee and the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency (MRA) Board. Acts as Code Administrator for the Town.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Expected to work with substantial autonomy, under the general supervision of the Town Manager.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Provides general supervision to the department’s professionals, supervisors and support staff.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Manages the day-to-day operations of the department; determines and delegates departmental priorities; develops guidelines and deadlines, initiates studies in long range and current planning/zoning issues, oversees the review of development applications and assigned permits and registrations; initiates the development, review and amendment of related ordinances, business regulations, permits, architectural designs, traffic and housing studies, etc.; monitors project activities and progress to assure the periodic updating and the implementation of comprehensive plan, land use map, affordable housing, short-term rental and zoning ordinances; issues interpretations, when necessary, of town zoning, planning, building and related ordinances and regulations.
Directs personnel and delegates assignments; evaluates staff job performance and makes recommendation for any needed improvements; makes decisions affecting hiring, interviewing, job retention, advancement and discipline for the department staff; responsible for conducting employee performance evaluations; participates in the recruitment and selection of department staff; develops and conducts staff training. Ensures a safe and healthy working environment; abides by and enforces the requirements of the Town’s safety and health program and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations/requirements.
Serves as administrative advisor and liaison to Town Manager, Town Council, citizens committees, board of adjustments and planning commission, historic preservation commission; provides technical insight and recommendations related to determining planning and development policies, goals and objectives; receives directives, formulates implementation options and strategies, directs and conducts research, converts strategies to action plans with timetables and deadlines; allocates personnel and resources as needed to accomplish elected projects and programs.
Coordinates, schedules, attends, and conducts meetings of the recently combined Planning and Zoning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Land Use Development Committee, Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency (MRA) Board and the Cultural Historic and Main Street District, and any other relevant planning, downtown redevelopment as directed, as well as attends Town Council Meetings when requested; attends training sessions, certification workshops and schedules staff for same; conducts public meetings and hearings as needed to solicit public input and apprise the public of policy and project options; educate the public through media, reports, public meetings and presentations.
Develops departmental budgets and monitors fiscal controls to assure conformity with established financial constraints; gives final approval for department disbursements; participates in town-wide fiscal planning processes, including Strategic Plan and Infrastructure Capital Improvements Plan (ICIP).
Meets with public, developers, entrepreneurs, and contractors; discusses planning, zoning, and development issues; interprets information in town ordinances pertaining to department responsibilities.
Establishes and maintains good communication with a network of citizen governed neighborhood associations in order to assure a local system of public information and outreach, as well as accurate and timely two-way grassroots communication.
Oversees various special function areas and districts related to subdivision development, zoning proposals, annexations, land acquisitions, building permits, historic preservation, cultural districts, business improvement districts, special improvement districts, etc.; oversees studies relating to population, housing, socio-economic issues, business development, tourism, marketing, environment, recreation and transportation.
Coordinates research and program options with other town departments, other local governments and agencies, the county and state and federal agencies; directs or conducts feasibility studies; prepares a variety of reports related to project options and progress; reviews and updates ordinances affecting planning, zoning, development and related departmental areas; coordinates projects with other departments or governmental agencies.
Additionally, shall perform other duties and assignments as required by the position to effectuate the goals and responsibilities of the department, or as directed by the Town Manager.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in land use planning, urban planning, architecture, landscape design, public administration, business administration, civil engineering or a closely related field from an accredited four-year college or university. AND
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience performing the above or related duties with a demonstrated track record of successful project design and implementation, of which two (2) years shall have been in a supervisory capacity, and at least two (2) years shall have been in local government; OR
A demonstrated track record of professional accomplishment that can demonstrate an equivalent combination of education or experience that the Town determines provides evidence of likely success in the above management position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of comprehensive urban planning, economics, sociology and community organization as it applies to urban planning; relationships between various factors affecting urban planning policy, such as economic, political, sociological, legal, etc.; zoning laws and comprehensive plans including their formation, process of adoption and enforcement research and statistical analysis and the evaluation of research data; land use, zoning, federal, state, and local laws; municipal operations and inter- departmental relationships of town departments; budgeting, accounting and related statistical procedures; various revenue sources available to local governments including state and federal sources; general office maintenance and practices; management and community outreach principles, business and technical writing; interpersonal communication skills; public relations and public speaking.
Considerable knowledge of principles of management, supervision and employee motivation, construction principles and codes, principles of growth management, economic development, community development, grant and revenue enhancement, recreation planning, cost benefit analysis, and SWOT techniques.
Considerable skill in the art of diplomacy and cooperative problem solving; leadership and organizational behavior management; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with State, Federal, and other local officials, elected officials, subordinate staff, and Town residents. Skill in the operation of PC Computer, calculator, copy machine, telephone.
Ability to administer a large work program; analyze a variety of financial problems and make recommendations; analyze complex planning, development and zoning problems and make recommendations; operate personal computer (Windows) in utilizing various programs to produce or compose formal documents, reports and records; prepare and present budget estimates; direct, motivate, develop, and evaluate subordinates; communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; develop effective working relationships with supervisors, fellow employees, and the public.
Special Qualifications
NM CZO (NM Certified Zoning Official) certification must be obtained within two (2) years of date of hire. AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) is desired, but not required. Microsoft Word, Visio, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, and presentation, reporting, scheduling and public presentation software is strongly preferred.
Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico driver’s license or be able to obtain license within 30 days; also maintain insurability under Town insurance, defensive driver certification every 24 months and a clean driving record throughout employment as a condition of employment.
Work Environment
Incumbent of the position performs in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls. Occasional tasks require variety of physical activities, not generally involving muscular strain. Periodic walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching, required in normal course of performing essential duties. Talking, hearing and seeing essential to effective performance of the job. Common eye, hand, finger dexterity required for most essential functions. Mental application utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, discriminating thinking and creative problem solving. Field visits and travel to and attendance at meetings is required. Attendance at weekend or evening meetings is anticipated.
APPLICATION STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS- If you feel you meet the minimum qualifications for the position and you have the necessary drive and ambition to be part of the Planning & Zoning Department for the Town of Taos, please submit a complete Town of Taos employment application to: Town of Taos Human Resources Department, 400 Camino de la Placita, Taos, NM 87571 or via e-mail: [email protected]. Your application must be complete, clear, and include the correct job title and announcement number. Applications and any attachments become the official property of the Town of Taos and cannot be returned or reused after being submitted. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 P.M. on the closing date listed above.
Drug Free Workplace
EEO/ADA Compliance
