Director of Planning & Zoning

Town of Front Royal•Front Royal, VA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Town of Front Royal is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and forward-thinking professional to serve as its Director of Planning & Zoning. The Director provides leadership and direction for the Town's planning, zoning, land development, code enforcement, and community development activities and plays a key role in shaping the Town's long-term growth and development. The Director oversees the Planning & Zoning Department and serves as a trusted professional advisor to the Town Manager, Town Council, Planning Commission, and other boards, commissions, and department heads on matters involving land use, development, zoning, comprehensive planning, and community development. Responsibilities include coordinating the Town's comprehensive and subsidiary plans; overseeing development review and zoning administration; guiding the interpretation and enforcement of applicable ordinances and codes; managing departmental staff and resources; and fostering productive relationships with residents, businesses, developers, consultants, community organizations, and local, state, and federal agencies. The Director is expected to bring sound professional judgment, strong leadership, and a service-oriented approach to complex planning and development issues. The position offers an opportunity to work directly with Town leadership and the community to promote responsible growth, effective planning, and thoughtful development while helping shape the future of Front Royal. The Town is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other status protected by applicable law.

Requirements

Ten (10) years of progressively responsible and complex professional experience in municipal planning, land use, zoning administration, community development, or a closely related field.
Experience in a supervisory or management capacity is strongly preferred.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in urban planning, city or regional planning, public administration, geography, or a closely related field.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex planning and regulatory issues to elected officials, appointed boards, staff, applicants, and the general public.
Strong leadership, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
The ability to lead, organize, assign, direct, review, and evaluate the work of professional and technical staff.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
The ability to prepare clear, concise, accurate, and professional reports, correspondence, ordinances, presentations, and policy recommendations.
Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to compile, evaluate, interpret, and summarize technical, demographic, economic, and statistical information.
Strong organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex projects and competing priorities.
Effective public speaking, facilitation, negotiation, and community engagement skills.
The ability to establish collaborative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Town officials, employees, residents, businesses, developers, consultants, governmental agencies, community organizations, and the public.
Exercise sound professional judgment and discretion when addressing complex planning, zoning, development, and regulatory matters.
Work independently while recognizing when matters require consultation with the Town Manager, Town Attorney, elected officials, appointed boards, or other stakeholders.
Analyze and interpret technical, legal, demographic, economic, geographic, and statistical information.
Evaluate complex development proposals and identify potential impacts, opportunities, and challenges.
Develop practical, well-supported recommendations that balance regulatory requirements, community objectives, economic considerations, and long-term planning goals.
Prepare and effectively present technical and policy-oriented reports to elected and appointed officials, professional groups, and the public.
Communicate effectively with individuals and groups having varying levels of technical knowledge and differing perspectives.
Maintain accuracy and attention to detail while managing a substantial workload and competing priorities.
Promote a professional, service-oriented, and collaborative departmental culture.

Nice To Haves

A Master's degree in a related field is preferred.
Professional certifications or credentials related to the position are preferred, including, but not limited to, the Virginia Association of Zoning Officials (VAZO), Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM), American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), and/or International Code Council (ICC) certifications.

Responsibilities

Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the Planning & Zoning Department's activities, programs, services, and staff.
Leads the preparation, administration, implementation, and periodic review of the Town's comprehensive plan and subsidiary plans supporting the Town's long-range development.
Conducts analyses of development trends, demographic and economic conditions, land use patterns, and potential impacts to support strategic and long-range planning decisions.
Develops plans and recommendations that establish clear connections among proposed activities, community needs, customer value, and the Town's strategic goals.
Coordinates with consultants, Town departments, property owners, developers, community organizations, and other stakeholders on planning and development projects and programs.
Serves as a liaison to community groups and conducts public outreach and engagement regarding planning initiatives, development activities, and Town programs.
Represents the Town before local, regional, state, and federal agencies, governmental entities, civic organizations, professional organizations, and other public and private groups.
Develops and maintains strong, productive working relationships with partner agencies and organizations at the local, regional, state, and national levels.
Prepares and manages the Planning & Zoning Department's operating budget and monitors expenditures and financial performance.
Provides staff leadership, supervision, goal setting, performance management, program oversight, and professional development for department employees.
Provides direction and guidance to the Town's Geographic Information System (GIS) functions related to addressing, mapping, data management, and planning applications.
Oversees the development, interpretation, administration, and enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance and related environmental, land development, property maintenance, and code compliance requirements.
Oversees code compliance and permitting functions and provides direction to appropriate departmental personnel.
Drafts policy recommendations, analyses, plans, ordinances, amendments, and other legislative or regulatory documents related to zoning, subdivision, land development, and community planning.
Prepares correspondence, staff reports, presentations, and other materials and provides professional staff support to the Town Council, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Board of Architectural Review, Advisory Commission for Environmental Sustainability (ACES), Local Building Code Board of Appeals, and other boards and commissions as assigned.
Attends meetings and serves on the Board of the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Planning Commission as directed by the Town Council.
Provides policy guidance, direction, and work oversight to departmental employees and assigned personnel.
Provides oversight to the Deputy Zoning Administrator, Property Maintenance Official, and Code Enforcement Officer regarding code enforcement activities, including enforcement of applicable provisions of Town Code Chapters 175, 148, 170, and other applicable Town regulations as delegated by the Town Manager or prescribed by Town Code.
Works closely with the Town Attorney to evaluate legal inquiries, zoning determinations, proffers, development matters, and other legal issues involving Planning & Zoning.
Reviews and evaluates land use and development applications, including site plans, special use permits, special exception permits, subdivisions, rezonings, variances, appeals, annexations, itinerant merchant/peddler/solicitor applications, business-license zoning clearances, zoning permits, and related applications.
Coordinates interdepartmental review of development applications and ensures timely, consistent, and professional responses to applicants and stakeholders.
Prepares, administers, and monitors planning and community development grants.
Oversees the Town's permitting software and coordinates its use and maintenance with Warren County and other appropriate partners.
May serve as the Town's Zoning Administrator and Floodplain Manager and perform associated duties and responsibilities.
Maintains professional certifications and credentials required to perform assigned duties.
Performs other related duties as assigned.