Hutchinson, a regional hub, and destination community of over 40,600 with an area of 20.94 square miles, is the county seat of Reno County located just 45 miles northwest of Wichita, Kansas. Reno County is a rich agricultural area and has long been one of the primary salt producing areas in the country. Hutchinson benefits from an extremely diverse economic base and in 2021 was ranked 27 among the top 100 micropolitan communities by Site Selection Magazine

While preserving the spirit of small-town living, Hutchinson offers many of the amenities and comforts that are often only found in larger metropolitan communities. These include the Hutchinson Sports Arena, the Dillon Nature Center, Salt City Splash Aquatic Center, Hutchinson Zoo, the historic Fox Theatre, Carey Park Golf Course, and the historic Prairie Dunes Country Club Golf Course, which is frequently ranked among the best golf courses in the US. The surrounding highway system is superb and provides commutes to other amenities such as Wichita’s Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, which is 51 miles away and provides nationwide commercial air service.

The City offers a rich diversity of facilities, attractions, events, and cultural arts amenities to residents and the approximately 1.5 million annual visitors to the community. Reno County is the site of the Kansas State Fair Grounds which draws thousands of visitors year-round, but especially each September for the Kansas State Fair. The Cosmosphere International SciEd Center and Space Museum houses the largest collection of space artifacts outside the Smithsonian Institution and the largest collection of Soviet space hardware in the Western world. The museum, along with its education programs and Carey Digital Dome Theater, is a major tourist destination, drawing visitors from all over the world. Strataca, formerly known as the Kansas Underground Salt Museum, is another popular tourist attraction unique to Hutchinson. This cavernous, subterranean museum, located in a working salt mine, offers a fascinating historical, cultural, and geological account of salt mining as well as a curated collection of historical and pop-culture items stored in the mine. The city also hosts the National Junior College Athletic Association Annual Basketball Tournament and a number of other NJCAA tournaments.

The City of Hutchinson is currently seeking an experienced, forward-thinking leader to serve as its Director of Community Development. The ideal candidate will be responsible for policy development, program planning, departmental budget administration, and operational direction of the City’s Community Development Department. They will also serve as a liaison to developers, property owners, engineers, architects, contractors, and external organizations on development-related matters.

A Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Architecture, Public Administration, or a closely related field, plus a minimum of four years of progressively responsible related professional experience is required. The candidate must also possess or be willing to obtain a Kansas driver’s license. American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and Economic Development related credentials are desirable.

The City of Hutchinson is a great place to work, play and live. To learn more about the City or to apply for the Director of Community Development position, please visit the website at: https://www.hutchgov.com/.