Deadline: June 6, 2025
Job Title: Planning Director
Department: Building and Planning
FLSA Status: Exempt
Bargaining Status: Non-Union
Expected Salary: $85,000-105,000
General Description
The Planning Director is a senior staff member that oversees all operations in the Building and Planning Department pertaining to zoning and land use, subdivision and land development review, permitting, inspections, and code enforcement. The Director manages a current full-time staff of four (4) Town employees including the Planning Assistant, Permit Coordinator, Building Inspector, and Code Enforcement Officer to carry out the activities and responsibilities of the department, and regularly coordinates and manages the work output of the Town Engineer, Town Attorney, and other Town consultants regarding departmental operations. This position serves as the Town Zoning Officer and participates in other Town initiatives as deemed necessary by the Town Manager.
On a day-to-day basis the Planning Director reviews zoning permits; makes official interpretations of the zoning, subdivision and land development, and property maintenance codes; manages the content and scheduling of the Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board meetings; and responds to high-level and more complex zoning and land development inquiries from residents, contractors, and design professionals. The Director represents the Town in discussions with developers and other various planning and land use stakeholders in support of the priorities and policy goals set by Town Council. This position also provides expert advice to Town Council on departmental operations under the supervision of the Town Manager.
Work is typically performed during regular business hours with 3 monthly evening meetings (Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Board, and 2nd Town Council meeting of each month). Occasional attendance may be required at additional meetings of ad-hoc committees that do not meet regularly, such as a project steering committee or a Town Council executive session. The Director is also expected to actively participate in professional planning and public administration organizations, such as the American Planning Association, and stay up-to-date on current planning topics and trends by pursuing continuing education which may require periodic local or out-of-state travel.
Duties and Responsibilities
Zoning and Land Use
- Reviews zoning and other land use administrative permits with support services from the Planning Assistant and Permit Coordinator.
- Makes official interpretations of the Town’s Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (Part 11) and Zoning Ordinance (Part 13).
- Administers the Town’s review programs for Floodplain Construction (Article 912), Stormwater Management (Article 913), and Grading and Excavation (Article 1705) with technical support from the Town Engineer.
- Makes recommendations to the Town Manager and Town Council regarding the administration and amendment of the Town’s zoning, land use, development, and property maintenance codes; drafts and reviews ordinance amendments in consultation with the Town Attorney, Zoning Consultant, and Town Engineer as applicable.
- Meets with residents and developers to provide zoning analysis and process guidance on various types of applications and official procedures, such as preliminary development research, rezonings, conditional use permits, etc.
- Enforces the zoning and land use codes of the Town, developing legal strategies in consultation with the Town Attorney and issuing Zoning Notices of Violation when appropriate with support services from the Code Enforcement Officer.
- Supervises the administration and scheduling of all Zoning Hearing Board hearings with support services from the Planning Assistant. Represents the Town as the Zoning Officer at Zoning Hearing Board meetings and advises the Board on the application and intent of the Town’s zoning code.
Subdivision and Land Development
- Processes all subdivision and land development applications with support services from the Planning Assistant and manages the technical review process in consultation with the Town Engineer.
- Coordinates the scheduling and content of all Planning Commission meetings. Represents Town Council’s policy goals and expectations at meetings and advises the Commission on the application and intent on the Town’s zoning and development codes.
- Administers the development lifecycle from initial application to close-out, including coordination of Town public meeting review deadlines; establishment of conditions of approval; execution of performance bonding, development agreements, and other conditions prior to construction; punchlist and as-built completion; review escrow management; and any other activities required to ensure Town development policies and procedures are adhered to by developers.
General Administration
- Advocates for sound, sustainable planning and land use practices throughout the Town.
- Responds to inquiries, surveys, and other outreach from local planning and policy organizations; represents the Town’s land use needs and strategy at a regional level.
- Prepares and submits comprehensive annual budgets for the Building and Planning Department.
- Prepares and submits an Annual Report to Town Council detailing all activities and official actions undertaken by the Planning Commission in the previous calendar year.
- Presents staff reports and other general information at Town Council meetings on development applications, ordinance amendments, and departmental operations.
- Administers the Town’s address assignment program in coordination with Allegheny County Address Management.
- Coordinates with other Town departments on service delivery and access and interpretation of Town maps and development archives.
- Manages the Town’s ArcGIS usage and strategy in consultation with the Town Engineer.
- Serves as the Town’s Floodplain Administrator with technical support from the Town Engineer.
- Other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Demonstrated knowledge of modern planning and public administration principles, practices, methods, and regulations. Comprehensive understanding of the PA Municipalities Planning Code.
- Strong decision-making and prioritization skills in managing a dynamic team of Town staff and consultants to deliver results that balance detail-orientation with efficiency.
- Thorough knowledge of ArcGIS functions and applications; ability to interpret mapping data displayed in ArcGIS with a high level of accuracy.
- Ability to prepare reports and business correspondence on a day-to-day basis as well as in compliance with recurring schedules and deadlines.
- Familiarity with and ability to work in commonly used computer applications and online tools such as Word, Outlook, Excel, OneDrive, and Adobe Acrobat/Reader.
- Excellent customer service skills with the ability to field inquiries, de-escalate concerned residents, and understand when to elevate issues to the Town Manager.
- Commitment to carrying out duties and responsibilities with a public service ethos and connecting with residents and stakeholders on a human level.
Required Education, Training and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Public Administration, or related field with a minimum of 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in municipal government or planning practice, OR
- Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, or related field with 3-5 years of experience in municipal government or planning practice. Prior management experience strongly preferred.
- AICP certification is desirable but not required.
Physical Demands and Working Environment
Work is performed mostly in a shared office environment with noise levels ranging from quiet to moderate throughout the day. Occasional outdoor work may occur if performing site visits which can include exposure to inclement weather conditions, dust, and noise in a construction zone environment.
Hand-eye coordination and repetitive hand movement is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of equipment, including use of a computer keyboard. The employee must be able to see and hear in the normal range with or without correction; and communicate both verbally and in written form with great facility and be understood.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stoop, kneel, or crouch to access files, supplies, and other office equipment. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to townmanager@townofmccandless.org . Review of resumes will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. The Town of McCandless is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, are to be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. The Town of McCandless does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.