Director of Planning and Community Development

Port Washington State Bank; Port Washington (WI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Port Washington is seeking a Director of Planning and Development to lead the Community Development Department, guiding planning, land use, and code enforcement to support a vibrant local economy. You will direct planning initiatives, manage budgets, and coordinate with City Council and commissions to meet long-range goals.

You will oversee zoning and subdivision regulation, collaborate with contractors, and pursue grants while maintaining strong community relationships with residents and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning, regional planning, public administration, or a related field.
• Minimum seven years of experience in planning, community development, zoning administration, or economic development with management.
• Knowledge of economic development strategies, redevelopment tools, grants, and public-private partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Planning and Development Department, including annual budget preparation and expenditure oversight.
• Direct the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, Downtown Plan, and Capital Improvement Plan to guide growth.
• Manage professional services contractors for planning, urban design, economic development, and redevelopment.
• Oversee zoning, subdivision regulations, and inspections; ensure compliance with codes and City requirements.
• Prepare agendas and reports; make presentations to City Council and commissions.
• Coordinate with third-party contractors for building permits and inspections; ensure timely delivery.
• Identify and submit grants; monitor and report on federal/state requirements.

Skills

Project management

Zoning & land use

Strategic planning

Budget management

Team leadership

Communication skills

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in urban planning, Regional Planning, Public Administration, or related field

Job description

Summary

The City's population of 12,353 resides within seven square miles including four miles of waterfront. The City provides full-city services including Public Safety (Police, Fire, EMS), Engineering, Public Works, Water and Sewer utilities, Building Inspections, Community Development, Parks and Recreation, Marina, Senior Center, Library, Finance, Clerk and Administration. We are a welcoming destination for living, working, and visiting that - combined with our core values of accountability, innovation, trust, industriousness, and friendship - create an environment with opportunities to make a positive impact for our community.

General Summary Of Duties

Reporting to the City Administrator, the Director of Planning and Development is responsible for fostering the development of the Port Washington community, maintaining and improving the quality of the natural and built environment, assuring safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for all residents, and strengthening the diversity and vitality of the local economy. This role is responsible to plan, organize, integrate, and direct the work of the Community Development Department. Provides expertise and guidance to management, the City Council, and the Planning Commission on planning, land use, design review, and code enforcement issues, and provides solutions to meet the City's strategic goals and business objectives. Provides oversight and coordination of the City's permitting and inspection functions, including management of third-party contractors responsible for delivering permit and inspections services. This position serves as the City Planner and is a member of the City's Senior Leadership Team.

Example of Duties

Essential Responsibilities

• Manage the operations of the Planning and Development Department including preparation of the annual department budget; authorize, oversee and monitor expenditures.
• Direct the implementation of the City's Comprehensive Plan, Downtown Plan, Capital Improvement Plan, and community planning process to provide effective short and long-range planning for the community and its neighborhoods.
• Manage professional services contractors and the overall Planning and Development Department to ensure programs are administered effectively, including planning, urban design, economic development, and the redevelopment of blighted and disused properties.
• Implement zoning ordinances and subdivision regulations to include reviewing conditional use and rezoning petitions, preliminary and final plats, and certified survey maps; ensures compliance with state and local regulations, City code, design quality, and compatibility with adjoining development and recommends alterations in design and layout in proposed lots to meet these requirements.
• Compile, analyze, and communicate information pertaining to community development and planning related matters and/or special projects. Prepare agendas/reports and make presentations to City Council and various commissions and boards.
• Conduct complex and sensitive operational and technical analysis.
• Coordinates and oversees third-party contractors responsible for building permits and inspections, ensuring services are completed timely, accurately, and in accordance with applicable codes and City requirements.
• Identify, prepare, and submit grants to support the City's community and economic development programs and priorities; prepare and submit all required monitoring and compliance reports required by federal and state agencies and grantees.
• Perform special projects for the Administrator; develop collaborative relationships with community leaders, elected officials, residents, and coworkers; provide staff support for the Plan Commission, Community Development Authority, Design Review Board, and Zoning Board of Appeals.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning, Regional Planning, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Seven (7) or more years of experience in planning, community development, zoning administration, or economic development including management experience.
• Knowledge of economic development strategies, redevelopment tools, grant funding, and public-private partnerships.
• Experience working with elected officials, boards, and the public.
• Valid Wisconsin driver's license.

Additional Details

Skills

• Demonstrated project management and organizational skills, with strong attention to detail and the ability to prioritize, coordinate, and manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Extensive knowledge of comprehensive planning, zoning and land use regulations, subdivision review, and development review processes.
• Strong understanding of municipal planning law, state statutes, ordinances, and regulatory procedures.
• Demonstrated experience with site plan review, rezoning, variances, special use permits, and long-range planning initiatives.
• Familiarity with capital improvement planning, infrastructure coordination, and environmental regulations.
• Ability to balance community interests, development goals, and regulatory compliance, strong negotiation and conflict-resolution skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, work occasional flexible hours for night Common Council and Committee/Commission meetings.