Principal Planner (Assistant Director – Planner III) – City of Cranston, RI

American Planning Association; Cranston (RI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking an Assistant Director for the City Planning Department. This role involves applying professional planning knowledge, supervising staff, and managing various planning activities. Key responsibilities include comprehensive planning, zoning administration, and report drafting. The Assistant Director will work closely with city bodies and assist in public service administration. This position is critical for ensuring effective planning and development within the city.

Responsibilities

• Apply professional planning knowledge to city planning issues.
• Conduct studies on zoning, comprehensive planning, and grant writing.
• Draft reports and present findings to city bodies.

Job description

Starting Salary as of July 1, 2025: $80,037.36

Position Overview

The Assistant Director is expected to apply professional planning knowledge and experience to the essential public service duties of the City Planning Department. Supervision is exercised over subordinate employees and serves as the assistant to the Planning Director.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, comprehensive plan updates, subdivision administration, development plan review, historic preservation, capital budgeting, drafting ordinances, zoning board recommendations, grant writing, and office administration. The Assistant Director researches issues, formulates findings and recommendations, and presents oral and written reports to the public, the Planning Director, City Plan Commission, City Council, Zoning Board of Review, and other city bodies as needed.

General Duties & Responsibilities

1. Apply professional planning knowledge, skills, and experience to various city planning issues.
2. Conduct studies related to a full range of planning activities, including zoning administration, comprehensive planning, subdivisions, site plan review, capital budgeting, ordinance drafting, demographic analysis, neighborhood studies, grant writing, and grant administration.
3. Draft reports and recommendations based on these activities and present findings to relevant city bodies.
4. Assist with administrative aspects of public service within the City Planning Department.
5. Supervise subordinate staff and manage the workload of various boards and commissions.
6. Perform other related work as assigned by the Planning Director.