Community Development Director

City of Maypearl; Iowa (LA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Iowa Colony seeks a Community Development Director to lead planning, zoning, and subdivision functions, coordinating development reviews and ensuring alignment with the Comprehensive Plan.

This role supervises Planning staff, coordinates with City departments, and engages with developers and residents to deliver efficient, customer-focused permitting and development services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Urban or Regional Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, Geography, Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or closely related field.

Responsibilities

• Administers the City's zoning, subdivision, land development, and planning regulations and assists with implementing the Comprehensive Plan and other adopted development plans.
• Reviews zoning applications, plats, site plans, development proposals, special use permits, variances, and other land-use applications for compliance with City requirements.
• Coordinates the review of development applications with applicable City departments, engineers, consultants, utility providers, and other governmental or regulatory agencies.
• Provides professional planning recommendations and technical assistance regarding zoning, subdivision, development, and land-use matters.
• Conducts research and prepares reports, recommendations, presentations, maps, development summaries, and other materials related to planning and zoning matters.
• Assists applicants with understanding City development processes, application requirements, timelines, and applicable ordinances.
• Coordinates pre-development meetings and serves as a primary contact for developers, engineers, property owners, and other applicants throughout the development review process.
• Reviews and interprets City ordinances, zoning regulations, subdivision regulations, development agreements, and other applicable requirements.
• Identifies opportunities to improve development processes, procedures, customer service, and interdepartmental coordination.
• Assists with updates to the Comprehensive Plan, zoning ordinance, subdivision ordinance, development standards, and other planning-related policies and regulations.
• Monitors development activity and emerging land-use issues and provides information and recommendations to City management.
• Manages and coordinates the administrative functions of the City's Planning and Zoning Commission.
• Serves as the primary staff liaison to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
• Coordinates Planning and Zoning Commission meeting schedules, agendas, deadlines, notices, staff reports, and materials.
• Attends Commission meetings and provides staff support, guidance, presentations, and recommendations.

Education

Bachelor's degree (Urban/Regional Planning; Public Admin; Business Admin; Geography; Architecture; Engineering; Construction Management)

Job description

Position Summary

The Community Development Director is responsible for administering and coordinating the City of Iowa Colony’s planning, zoning, subdivision, and land development functions. This position plays a key role in supporting the City’s continued growth by ensuring development is consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan, zoning regulations, subdivision requirements, development standards, and applicable local and state regulations.

The Community Development Director serves as a primary resource for City leadership, developers, property owners, residents, consultants, and other stakeholders regarding planning and development matters. The position also manages the administrative functions of the Planning and Zoning Commission, including coordinating meetings, preparing agendas and supporting materials, presenting planning and zoning matters, maintaining records, and facilitating communication between the Commission, City staff, applicants, and the City Council.

The Community Development Director also provides day-to-day leadership and supervision for assigned Community Development Department staff, including the Permit Coordinator and Clerk position(s). The Administrator is responsible for coordinating workloads, establishing expectations, providing training and guidance, evaluating performance, and ensuring efficient and customer-focused delivery of permitting and development services.

The position requires significant municipal experience, sound professional judgment, strong customer-service skills, and the ability to effectively manage multiple development projects and priorities in a rapidly growing community.

Essential Job Functions

Planning, Zoning and Development

• Administers the City's zoning, subdivision, land development, and planning regulations and assists with the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan and other adopted development plans.
• Reviews zoning applications, plats, site plans, development proposals, planned development requests, special use permits, variances, and other land-use applications for compliance with City requirements.
• Coordinates the review of development applications with applicable City departments, engineers, consultants, utility providers, and other governmental or regulatory agencies.
• Provides professional planning recommendations and technical assistance regarding zoning, subdivision, development, and land-use matters.
• Conducts research and prepares reports, recommendations, presentations, maps, development summaries, and other materials related to planning and zoning matters.
• Assists applicants with understanding City development processes, application requirements, timelines, and applicable ordinances.
• Coordinates pre-development meetings and serves as a primary point of contact for developers, engineers, property owners, and other applicants throughout the development review process.
• Reviews and interprets City ordinances, zoning regulations, subdivision regulations, development agreements, and other applicable requirements.
• Identifies opportunities to improve development processes, procedures, customer service, and interdepartmental coordination.
• Assists with updates to the Comprehensive Plan, zoning ordinance, subdivision ordinance, development standards, and other planning-related policies and regulations.
• Monitors development activity and emerging land-use issues and provides information and recommendations to City management.

Planning and Zoning Commission Administration

• Manages and coordinates the administrative functions of the City's Planning and Zoning Commission.
• Serves as the primary staff liaison to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
• Coordinates Planning and Zoning Commission meeting schedules, agendas, application deadlines, public notices, staff reports, supporting documentation, and meeting materials.
• Works with the City Secretary and other appropriate staff to ensure required notices, postings, and records are completed in accordance with applicable laws and City procedures.
• Attends Planning and Zoning Commission meetings and provides staff support, technical guidance, presentations, and recommendations as appropriate.
• Presents zoning cases, plats, development proposals, ordinance amendments, and other planning matters to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
• Coordinates follow-up actions resulting from Commission meetings and communicates recommendations and actions to applicants, City staff, and City Council as appropriate.
• Maintains accurate planning and zoning case files, Commission records, development applications, maps, reports, and related documentation.
• Assists Commission members with understanding City planning policies, development regulations, procedures, and their roles and responsibilities.
• Coordinates with the City Attorney, City Engineer, consultants, and other professional resources on complex planning and zoning matters as needed.

City Council and Organizational Support

• Prepares and presents planning and development matters to the City Council as assigned.
• Provides City management with updates regarding significant development projects, zoning matters, planning initiatives, and emerging development issues.
• Develops professional relationships with developers, residents, property owners, businesses, community organizations, governmental agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Coordinates closely with Community Development, Public Works, Engineering, Permitting, Building Inspections, Fire Marshal, Administration, and other City functions involved in the development process.
• Assists with the development and implementation of departmental goals, policies, procedures, performance measures, and strategic initiatives.
• Provides information and responds to questions from residents, developers, elected and appointed officials, and other stakeholders in a professional and timely manner.
• Participates in community meetings, development meetings, workshops, public hearings, and other meetings as required.
• Performs other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Preferred Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Urban or Regional Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, Geography, Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a closely related field is required.

Required Experience

A minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience working in municipal government, with experience in planning, zoning, land development, community development, development services, or a closely related municipal function.

Experience working directly with municipal planning and zoning processes, development review, appointed boards or commissions, developers, engineers, and the public is strongly preferred.

An equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant municipal experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Valid Texas Driver's License or ability to obtain one within a reasonable period following employment.
American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is preferred but not required.
Additional professional certifications related to municipal planning, zoning, development, or public administration are desirable.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Thorough knowledge of municipal planning, zoning, subdivisions, land development, and development review processes.

Knowledge of municipal government operations and the relationship between staff, appointed boards and commissions, and elected officials.

Working knowledge of applicable Texas laws and regulations related to municipal planning, zoning, platting, public hearings, and land development.

Ability to interpret and apply zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, comprehensive plans, development agreements, maps, plans, and other technical documents.

Ability to analyze development proposals and identify potential regulatory, operational, or community impacts.

Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple applications, deadlines, meetings, and priorities simultaneously.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to prepare and deliver clear presentations to the Planning and Zoning Commission, City Council, developers, residents, and other stakeholders.

Strong customer-service and problem-solving skills.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, appointed officials, employees, developers, consultants, residents, and regulatory agencies.

Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain professionalism when addressing complex or controversial development matters.

Ability to use technology, data, mapping resources, and performance measures to improve development review and service delivery.

Physical Requirements

The position requires the ability to perform typical office functions, including sitting for extended periods, operating standard office equipment, communicating effectively in person and electronically, and reviewing plans, maps, reports, and other documents. The employee may occasionally be required to stand, walk, bend, reach, and lift or carry materials associated with normal office and field activities.

Work Environment

Work is primarily performed in a professional office environment but may require attendance at evening meetings, public hearings, development meetings, community meetings, and City Council or Planning and Zoning Commission meetings. The position may occasionally require field visits to development sites or other locations throughout the City.