Planning & Zoning Director/ Special Projects Coordinator

City of Franklin•Franklin, NH

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Planning & Zoning Director is a full-time department head responsible for supervising, directing, and managing the administrative and technical work of the City of Franklin’s Planning and Zoning Department. The department provides planning services including plan and subdivision review, administration of the building permit process, zoning administration, and enforcement. The Director is accountable for responsive, cost-effective, and efficient delivery of these services and works closely with Code Enforcement and Inspection teams to provide applicants, boards, and residents with a clear, coordinated process from application through permitting and inspection. The Director also serves as special projects coordinator, supporting economic development and code enforcement initiatives and, as opportunities arise, helping write grants and coordinate resulting projects. The role operates with considerable independence, technical knowledge, and judgment under the supervision of the City Manager, who is consulted on key planning matters and evaluates the department’s effectiveness. The Director supervises one full-time Planning and Zoning Administrative Assistant. The position is based at the Proulx Center, 124 Memorial Street, Franklin, New Hampshire. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; the Director is expected to work appropriate hours to fulfill the role’s responsibilities. The position involves frequent standing and/or walking, occasional strenuous positions, and potentially disagreeable conditions involving variable weather, emotional stress, and hazards associated with field inspections and other physical labor. Employment is subject to successful criminal background, education, and driver’s license record checks.

Requirements

Thorough knowledge of land use planning principles and practices, including urban zoning, conservation practices, downtown revitalization, and watershed management.
Working knowledge of local zoning, subdivision, and site plan regulations and New Hampshire land use statutes.
Ability to develop, document, and continually improve administrative procedures and office workflows.
Knowledge of budget development and budgetary practices and procedures.
Ability to lead, plan, organize, and direct the work of peers, volunteer boards, and subordinates involved in planning activities.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships and open communication with public officials, state and federal authorities, civic leaders, and the public.
Ability to prepare and effectively present oral and written material concerning departmental activities, including speaking effectively before large groups.
Ability to exercise considerable independence and judgment while contributing to a positive team approach with department heads and City staff.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Proven personnel-management skills, including team building, consensus building, delegation, communication, and problem solving.
Demonstrated ability to organize workflows, improve administrative processes, and collaborate across departments, including code enforcement and inspection.
Firm understanding of budget preparation and fiscal management.
Proactive and responsive public-service philosophy.
Computer literacy, including experience with Windows, Windows Office Suite, and geographical information system programs.
Ability to apply logical thinking to solve problems and accomplish tasks.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional periodicals, journals, technical procedures, and government regulations.
Strong conflict-resolution skills.
Successful completion of criminal background, educational, and driver’s license record checks.

Nice To Haves

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a major in a planning-related field is strongly desired; equivalent education and experience demonstrating the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may also qualify.
Familiarity with permit tracking or workflow software.
Knowledge of Tax Increment Financing Districts, revitalization zones, building codes, Life Safety codes, and engineering practices.
Experience with grant writing and administration and/or economic development.
NHPA affiliation desired.

Responsibilities

Establish departmental goals, objectives, policies, regulations, and procedures based on the needs of the City and the department.
Develop and maintain clear departmental procedures, checklists, and workflows for application intake, review, permitting, and inspection, coordinating with Code Enforcement and Inspection teams.
Investigate, study, report on, and recommend action concerning land use, zoning, traffic, parking, transportation, public facilities, population trends, downtown development, subdivisions, and industrial expansion.
Review and recommend updates to the City’s Master Plan and continually evaluate the department’s effectiveness and responsiveness.
Supervise and direct department personnel; interview applicants for department vacancies and make hiring and firing recommendations to the City Manager.
Coordinate departmental procedures, practices, and functions; identify and implement improvements to department operations.
Collaborate with the City Manager, peers, and staff to initiate projects, assess progress, and resolve work and program issues.
Enforce local zoning and land use codes and coordinate with the State of New Hampshire regarding state land use laws and regulations.
Coordinate with the Code Enforcement Officer and Inspection staff on code-violation enforcement and timely communication; conduct on-site inspections, testify in court and legal proceedings, and issue cease-and-desist orders as needed.
Review ordinances, covenants, and easement proposals.
Perform technical reviews of subdivisions and non-residential site plans before the Planning Board, including review of access, building location, pedestrian circulation, and traffic circulation.
Review plans and specifications for compliance with City ordinances and sound planning principles, and coordinate application reviews by City departments.
Meet with architects, engineers, consultants, and lawyers to clarify design issues and obtain compliance; conduct site inspections as appropriate.
Prepare memoranda and other documents for the Planning and Zoning Boards, including draft decisions for Board review and issuance.
Attend regularly scheduled Planning and Zoning Board meetings and supervise preparation of meeting agendas and minutes.
Maintain constructive working relationships with residents, City staff, appointed board members, elected officials, media representatives, civic leaders, and state and federal authorities.
Prepare and administer the department budget; maintain project and expenditure records, supervise expenditures, and analyze operational costs.
Develop and update the department’s capital improvement plan and assist with developing, reviewing, and recommending changes to planning and zoning fees.
Assist the Assessing Department with City mapping services and GIS implementation; maintain City flood plain maps.
Partner with Municipal Services, Fire, and City Clerk departments on the City street registry.
Direct the City building permit process by coordinating permit reviews and certificates of occupancy with other City departments and reviewing permits for completeness and zoning compliance.
Work with Code Enforcement and Inspection teams to improve the permit process for clarity and timeliness.
Identify and pursue state and federal grant opportunities, prepare applications, and administer grants as directed.
Attend monthly City Council meetings, committee meetings, and budget work sessions, and make presentations as required.
Prepare routine and cyclical reports documenting operations, work progress, and proposed work.
Keep current with professional developments in city planning, development, code enforcement, and office management through reading, study, and professional meetings.
Participate in regional planning forums and state and regional efforts, including those involving the Office of State Planning, Lakes Region Planning Commission, New Hampshire Municipal Association, and HUD.
Perform other related duties as required.