The City of La Porte is seeking a dynamic and visionary Director of Planning and Development to lead and oversee the City’s planning, engineering, code enforcement, permitting, inspections, GIS, and program management processes. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, excellent communication abilities, and the capacity to build and guide effective teams.

The Director will manage all aspects of planning, including short-term development goals and long-term strategies for the city's growth. They will provide expert guidance to the City Manager, City Council, and various Boards and Commissions, while coordinating citywide development activities and responding to public inquiries and concerns.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop, implement, and oversee departmental goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for the Planning Department.
• Comprehensive Development Oversight: Lead engineering activities, including surveying, drafting, planning, and construction inspections. Oversee building functions such as inspections, permit issuance, code enforcement, and special programs.
• Capital Improvement Coordination: Facilitate capital improvement planning and execution, including revisions and updates to the city’s Master Plan. Collaborate with the Economic Development Division and Public Works Department to support city growth initiatives.
• Ordinance Management: Supervise and complete necessary revisions of city ordinances, ensuring compliance with city standards and state laws.
• Public Engagement: Address and resolve inquiries and complaints from citizens regarding development activities, coordinating between developers, staff, and elected officials.
• Budget Management: Prepare and administer the department’s budget, ensuring efficient and effective allocation of resources.
• Staff Development: Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate professional, technical, and clerical staff to ensure high-performance standards across all divisions.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives administrative direction from the City Manager.
Exercise direct and indirect supervision over professional, technical and clerical staff.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Direct and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and procedures related to the Planning and Development Services Department.
• Plan, direct, and review all Planning, Engineering, GIS, Code Enforcement, and Permitting and Inspection activities, including special programs like dangerous building removal.
• Oversee the development process and comprehensive, long range planning activities.   
• Serve as technical advisor to the City Manager, Boards, Commissions and City Council on planning matters; develop comprehensive recommendations, memos and reports for management use.  Prepare agendas and support materials for various boards, committees, commissions and City Council meetings.
• Supervise and/or complete ordinance revisions.
• Provide support to City's economic development programs.
• Respond to and resolve difficult citizen inquiries and complaints.  Coordinate development activities between developers/builders, staff, commissions and City Council.
• Review, evaluate and administer program goals and objectives developed by division managers.  Direct and participate in the preparation and administration of the Department budget.
• Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

For indefinite periods of time - mobility within a office and field environment; exposure to electrical hazards; writing; walking; typing; standing; squatting; sitting; seeing; kneeling; grasping; crawling; climbing; cleaning; lifting and carrying up to 15 pounds; reading; decision making; speaking; interfacing with the public; keen vision; clarity of hearing; communicating clearly and effectively, in person and by telephone; fine finger manipulation; operation of a personal computer, calculator, minor hand tools, and electrical testing devices; operating a motor vehicle through city traffic.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Procedures for planning, implementing, and maintaining a variety of activities and programs such as engineering, planning, surveying, drafting, inspection, and code enforcement.
• Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to planning administration and implementation.
• Principles and practices of organization, administration, and personnel management.
• Land use planning, regulatory economic development, and growth techniques.
• Standard program evaluation methods and report writing procedures.
• Modern office practices, procedures, methods, and equipment

Ability to:

• Prepare and administer a Department budget.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Interpret applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• Prepare comprehensive reports and agendas for internal use and outside presentation.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Six years of professional experience in engineering, planning or related work, including three years in an administrative capacity and a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Urban Planning, required. Master’s degree preferred. Comparable combinations of education and experience will be considered.

The City of La Porte is an Equal Opportunity Employer of qualified candidates.