Assistant Planning Director

NORMAN CITY CLERK; Norman, Northern (OK, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Norman City Clerk is seeking a knowledgeable planning leader to guide the Planning and Community Development Department in Norman, Oklahoma. The role oversees coordination of the comprehensive plan, zoning reviews, and development approvals, while driving strategic priorities and performance metrics.

Ideal candidate has significant municipal planning and supervisory experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to work with developers, residents, and elected officials to balance

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Geography, or closely related field.
• AICP certification is preferred.
• Five to seven years of municipal planning experience and five years of supervisory or management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the Planning and Community Development Department.
• Supervise Current and Long-Range Planning, and CDBG functions.
• Review rezonings, plats, planned developments, and development applications.
• Coordinate Comprehensive Plan implementation, transportation planning, and redevelopment projects.
• Manage complex planning studies and politically sensitive projects.
• Develop departmental goals, priorities, and performance metrics.
• Oversee budgets and consultant contracts; supervise staff.
• Represent department in meetings with City Council and boards.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

ArcGIS

Job description

Shift : 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday or as required. Attends night meetings regularly.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Geography, or closely related field. Five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible municipal planning experience and at least five (5) years of supervisory or management experience. Experience in a rapidly growing community like Norman; comprehensive planning implementation; budget management; presenting before elected officials, boards, and commissions.

Licenses and Certifications

Valid Oklahoma driver's license and satisfactory motor vehicle record or ability to obtain within 30 days. AICP certification is preferred.

Knowledge

Knowledge of GIS applications, zoning administration, subdivision regulations, comprehensive planning, development review, public engagement, municipal land use law, and CDBG/HUD regulations.

Skills

Excellent communication and leadership skills. The successful candidate will be a collaborative leader who values teamwork and transparency; an experienced planner capable of balancing growth with community character; skilled in process improvement and organizational leadership; comfortable working with developers, residents, and elected officials and an effective communicator capable of translating complex planning issues into practical solutions.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in the leadership, administration and professional growth of the Planning and Community Development Department.
• Supervise Current Planning, Long-Range Planning, and CDBG functions.
• Oversee review of rezonings, plats, planned developments, special use permits, variances, and development applications.
• Coordinate implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, transportation planning, housing initiatives, and redevelopment projects.
• Manage complex planning studies, sensitive or politically complex planning projects and special projects.
• Assist in establishing departmental goals, strategic priorities, performance measures, and operational objectives.
• Recommend and implement departmental policies, procedures, and process improvements.
• Assist in personnel matters, hiring, discipline, performance evaluations, and employee coaching.
• Monitor departmental performance metrics and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
• Oversee consultant contracts and professional service agreements.
• Prepare reports, ordinances and presentations for City Council and advisory boards.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate planning staff.
• Coordinate interdepartmental review of development proposals.
• Assist with the development, administration, and ongoing monitoring of departmental budgets.
• Foster collaborative relationships with citizens, developers, consultants, elected officials, and community organizations.
• Participate in executive leadership meetings and collaborate with other City departments on organizational initiatives.
• Serve as Acting Planning Director when assigned.
• Attends night meetings regularly.
• Performs other related work as required.

Mental and Physical Abilities

Ability to maintain regular, predictable and punctual attendance; significant ability to concentrate and pay close attention to detail in reviewing, preparing and presenting budgets, reading and writing reports, or representing department at in-house or outside public meetings. Mental/visual effort required due to sustained periods of concentration necessary for the design and layout of a project and the constant breaks in concentration associated with answering phones or speaking in person to citizen or staff requiring assistance. Limited amount of physical effort required associated with walking, standing, lifting and carrying light objects (less than 25 lb.) 5-10% of work time. Ability to exercise sound judgments and work independently on matters of responsible nature.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Works in a normal office environment where there are little or no physical discomforts associated with changes in weather or discomforts associated with noise, dust, dirt, and the like.

Additional Information

Selected applicant must pass background investigation and drug screen.