DIRECTOR OF PLANNING - City of Cambridge, MD

DIRECTOR OF PLANNING

City of Cambridge, Maryland

The City of Cambridge is an equal opportunity employer with a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and welcomes you to join us on our journey towards becoming a more equitable municipal organization serving the residents of Cambridge.

Classification:                       Exempt

 Pay Grade:                 13

 Pay Range:                $83,500 to $88,000

 Benefits Summary:   This is a full-time, benefitted position with health insurance, a public pension,

                                   13 paid holidays annually, vacation, sick leave, and more.

  Job Summary:           The City of Cambridge is in search of a dynamic and energetic individual to fill this highly skilled position.  The successful candidate supervises the Planner I and the contracted Housing Specialist. The successful candidate contributes to the overall organizational advancement of the Planning and Zoning Division in the City of Cambridge. The position requires excellent management ability, independence, organizational skills, creativity to solve complex problems, superior interpersonal skills, and the ability to cooperate with diverse stakeholders.

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POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Director of Planning works under the direct supervision and receives general guidance from the Assistant City Manager who oversees the Development Department. The successful candidate assumes the highest level of administrative responsibility for the City of Cambridge's Community Development program and has a wide latitude for planning, organizing and implementing various program activities including but not limited to the following:

• Plans, organizes, directs and executes the administration of the City's community development program as directed, including, economic development efforts, housing rehabilitation and development etc.
• Plans and schedules the housing and community development programs with assistance from advisory committees, the public and other groups.
• Assist with implementation of various projects and plans to meet goals as directed for enhancing downtown Cambridge.
• Assures that fair housing and equal opportunity and public program participation and other Federal and State requirements are met.
• Implements program activities including housing development rehabilitation and other community related activities.
• Explains the housing and community development programs to the public, interested groups and individuals.
• Advises and coordinates on behalf of the City of Cambridge, matters pending before the following agencies or committees: Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning & Zoning Commission and the Historic Preservation Commission.
• Supervises and trains staff on matters regarding interpretation and enforcement of the City's zoning code.
• Prepares and presents reports on behalf of the City, to any and all applicable agencies and to the Mayor and Council on issues regarding planning and development, zoning, amendments of the zoning code, requests for special exceptions, variances and other matters, as needed.
• Coordinates relations between City and other public agencies and private industry groups concerned with affordable decent and sanitary housing revitalization and expansion.
• Initiates and investigates new projects to be funded with public and private resources.
• Attends meeting/seminars and related training as approved by the Assistant City Manager.
• Maintains accurate records for grants received by or administered by the City of Cambridge.
• Performs other duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate shall have a minimum  of ten years of work experience in the field of planning and zoning.  A master’s degree preferred, however, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in urban planning, or a related field will be accepted.

Must possess thorough knowledge of all pertinent ordinances, codes, laws and regulations governing all aspects of planning, and zoning, principles, practices, law, regulations, procedures and requirements of federally financed community development programs.  Must possess the ability to analyze, interpret, and draft proposed zoning codes and regulations. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Must have knowledge of economics, market analysis, land appraisal, real estate practices, land development and planning.  Must possess general knowledge of principles and practices of general accounting and financial management.  Must be able to identify and analyze socio-economic problems and opportunities and to plan and implement comprehensive solutions.  Must possess the ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with consultants, property owners, developers, residents, occupants, other employees, City Manager, Mayor, City Council, Federal and State officials, the general public, and diverse stakeholders often under difficult and contentious circumstances.  Must have the ability to present ideas and highly complicated regulations and requirements clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, to groups, individuals, City Manager, Mayor, and City Council.  Must possess the ability to make decisions recognizing established precedents and practices and to use resourcefulness and tact in meeting new problems for which no precedent exists.  Must show demonstrated ability and have experience in various aspects of planning and zoning and grants administration.  Must possess the ability to deal courteously, effectively and tactfully with the public.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Requires the ability to perform the functions of the job which are primarily indoors and moderately active in nature but requires occasional outdoor activities at building sites in all types of weather, including exposure to pollen and dust.

• Requires cardiovascular fitness to walk across properties, up and down flights of stairs daily at various location and over varying terrain.
• Requires sufficient ambulatory ability to move about the office and outdoor field locations and to bend, stoop, reach, and climb.
• Requires the ability to alternatively sit and stand for sustained periods of time to observe construction and perform counter work.
• Requires near and far visual acuity to read reports, detailed maps, drawings, other printed material, computer screens, observe moving objects, and observe physical layouts.
• Requires manual and finger dexterity as well as hand-eye coordination to write and to operate computers and other office equipment.
• Requires the ability to hear and communicate effectively.
• Requires the ability to lift and carry light objects not expected to exceed to 20 pounds.

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.

LICENSE

Possession of or ability to obtain a valid "Class C" Maryland driver’s license. Driver’s License is to be in good standing and acceptable by the City of Cambridge’s insurance company.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT

All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of both a pre-employment physical exam, including a drug/alcohol test, and a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting.

 PROBATIONARY PERIOD

All City of Cambridge employees are subject to a one-year probationary period provision as specified in the employee handbook. Probationary, temporary, provisional, and seasonal employees serve at the pleasure of the City and are "At-Will."

 OTHER:

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.