Planning And Development Deputy Director

CITY OF CHEYENNE•Cheyenne, WY

3d•$91,784 - $146,855•Onsite

About The Position

This is a management-level position within the Planning and Development Department responsible for advancing the Department’s policy, financial, and long-range planning initiatives in direct support of the Director. Serves as the Department’s primary staff person for the Urban Renewal Authority, including tax increment financing coordination, complex development agreement drafting, and ombudsman-level assistance to applicants navigating complex development and redevelopment processes. Manages long-range planning initiatives, including the Comprehensive Plan update and the Active Transportation Advisory Committee, and takes a proactive role in the development of planning policy and development regulations. Assists the Director with budget development, represents the Department at meetings and before boards and elected bodies as assigned, and coordinates Department public outreach activities and project tracking.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public administration, finance, architecture, community development, or a closely related field
five to seven years of increasingly responsible experience in planning, development, or municipal finance, including experience drafting development agreements or administering tax increment financing.
Knowledge of urban renewal principles and programs, including tax increment financing structures and reporting requirements.
Knowledge of urban planning and development principles and practices, current and long-range/comprehensive planning, and transportation planning principles and procedures.
Skill in drafting and negotiating complex development and redevelopment agreements.
Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations, including Wyoming urban renewal and tax increment financing statutes.
Ability to serve effectively as an ombudsman, facilitating resolution of complex, multi-agency development processes for applicants and the public.
Knowledge of principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
Knowledge of specialized environmental cleanup and redevelopment funding programs, including EPA Brownfields grant programs.
Ability to draft development regulations and Unified Development Code amendments.
Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate public outreach and community engagement efforts.
Knowledge of principles of supervision, training, and project management.
Skill in word processing and standard office software, including effective working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and GIS.
Ability to multitask and maintain a course of action to timely completion.
Ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions and communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Ability to respond to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and maintain good customer service practices.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with elected officials, outside agencies, and the public.
Ability to represent the Director and the Department at meetings, hearings, and public events.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in urban planning, public administration, finance, or a closely related field
three years of experience.
AICP certification is desired.

Responsibilities

Serves as the Department’s primary staff person for the Urban Renewal Authority, directing the urban renewal program and managing the Authority’s day-to-day operations.
Coordinates extensively with the City Treasurer’s Office, the Laramie County Assessor, and the Laramie County Treasurer to track tax increment financing revenues, verify base and increment values, and reconcile urban renewal district accounts.
Drafts, negotiates, and manages complex development agreements, including urban renewal project and development agreements, and guides them through review and approval by the Planning Commission, Urban Renewal Authority, Governing Body and other bodies as applicable.
Manages the Department’s long-range planning initiatives, including leading the update of the Comprehensive Plan.
Serves as lead staff to the Active Transportation Advisory Committee including developing its work plan, operating procedures, and meeting agendas.
Takes a proactive role in planning policy development; drafts proposed amendments to the Unified Development Code and other development regulations for review by the Senior Planner, Director, and City Attorney’s Office.
Prepares annual reports, data, and other information to support transparency and public distribution, including coordinating public input tools and website content.
Coordinates Department public outreach activities and manages project tracking for long-range planning and urban renewal initiatives.
Attends meetings, hearings, and community events on behalf of the Director as assigned, including representing the Department before Governing Body, boards, commissions, and outside agencies.
Serves as staff to the Urban Renewal Authority Board, the Active Transportation Advisory Committee, and other boards, commissions, and committees as assigned; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
Responds to public inquiries in a courteous manner regarding urban renewal, development agreements, and long-range planning matters; resolves complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
Assists the Director in preparing and administering the Department budget, including tracking expenditures for urban renewal and long-range planning programs.
Serves as an ombudsman for developers, property owners, and other applicants navigating complex, multi-agency development and urban renewal processes, coordinating across City departments and outside agencies to identify and resolve procedural obstacles.
With limited guidance from the Director, responds to public or other inquiries relative to planning, development, urban renewal, and long-range planning matters.
Monitors program compliance with laws, rules, and regulations related to urban renewal, tax increment financing, and long-range planning services.
Maintains awareness of new developments in the fields of urban renewal, development agreement structuring, and long-range planning; incorporates new ideas and concepts as appropriate.
Manages fiscal assurances related to urban renewal projects and coordinates with the City Treasurer’s Office on related financial reporting.
In close coordination with the City grant writing staff, researches, pursues, and manages specialized environmental planning and redevelopment grant and funding opportunities, including EPA Brownfields Assessment, Targeted Brownfield Assessments, and similar programs, and coordinates with agencies on related planning requirements; administers such grants.
Attends conferences, webinars, and other training meetings to keep abreast of current trends in urban renewal, development finance, and long-range planning.
Maintains records and develops reports concerning urban renewal activities, long-range planning projects, and program effectiveness.
Serves as backup to the Director and Senior Planner as needed.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as required.