CITY OF EDMOND DIRECTOR of PLANNING AND ZONING
CITY OF EDMOND the city of edmond is seeking qualified applicants for the position of director of planning and zoning. the incumbent is retiring in december 2016 after 44 years of dedicated service. DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND ZONING PROFILE The Department of Planning and Zoning is responsible for providing strategic direction and vision for planning and development of the City of Edmond, Oklahoma and administers the City s Land Development and Zoning Ordinance. The Planning Department also oversees other sections of the City Code, including signs, standards for placement of mobile homes, house-moving requirements, and procedures for the closing public streets or utility easements and lot splits. This Department serves as the professional and technical staff for the Planning Commission, which is a recommending board to City Council. The Department plays a key role in the site plan review process that is required for all new development and works with various departments on the Site Plan Review Team. Also, the Department is responsible for Board of Adjustment / Appeals that meets on an as-needed basis to hear variances of construction code for unique condition or unusual hardship applications. The Planning and Zoning Department serves as a resource to the citizens of Edmond, Council and the internal customers of the City. The Director is responsible for making presentations and responding to inquiries to Council, Developers, community organizations, and neighborhood associations on current and proposed development projects. It is expected that the Director have a complete understanding of the City Ordinances/Charters/Policies pertaining to planning and development. The Director provides key leadership and direction to the Planning and Zoning Department, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, and the contracted partnership to operate public transportation within the city limits of Edmond. The Planning Department consists of a team of three planners, two administrative support staff and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) / Public Transit Coordinator. This position reports directly to the Assistant City Manager of Operations. PERSONAL TRAITS Edmond seeks an experienced, innovative, and visionary individual with strong leadership skills to be its next Director of Planning and Zoning. The Director of Planning and Zoning is a member of the City s senior management team and recognized community leader. In evaluating applicants for this position, the Assistant City Manager of Operations will be looking for candidates who have the following characteristics and competencies. Flexibility, problem-solving, and excellent oral and written communication skills are essential, as well as the commitment to support the City of Edmond s goals and priorities. The next Director will possess excellent interpersonal skills and will be an effective communicator able to clearly articulate goals, objectives, and strategies at all levels within the organization. The Director should possess the team building skills necessary to help the City achieve broad consensus on both short-term and long-term goals. The ideal candidate will have excellent leadership and people skills, management skills, team oriented, including being a motivator/director/mentor and morale builder. It is absolutely essential, that the candidate has professional interaction with the employees of the department, Council, other management staff, committees, schools and the business community. The ideal candidate will need to establish goals, set expectations and hold the staff accountable for results. A decisive leader who exercises sound judgment and is open to the ideas of others and who seeks to involve people at all levels of the organization in problem solving and decision making. The ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, determine project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals. An individual with a strong sense of self who demonstrates the highest level of personal and professional integrity and behavior and leads by commitment, example and ethical standards.
THE CITY GOVERNMENT The City operates under the Council-Manager form of government established by Home Rule Charter. The Council consists of a mayor, elected to two-year terms, and four Council members representing each of the City s four wards elected at-large for staggered fouryear terms. The Mayor and Council are the policy making and legislative body, and appoint the City Manager who is responsible for management of municipal government on a day-to-day basis. Edmond is a full service City with a total of 746 full and 46 part time employees and a total budget for Fiscal Year 15/16 of $2 9 7 m i l l i o n. The financial forecast projects an all-funds balanced budget over the next five years. The benefits, incentive programs and career opportunities result in a low turnover rate of approximately 6.82 percent. Longevity is at an all time high with approximately 84 percent of the employees having five or more years with the City. Through the first half of FY 15-16, the City of Edmond has experienced sales tax growth of.78%, projected 2.5% growth but still above last year in an economic downturn. The City relies on the three sales taxes approved by local voters in 2000, including the Public Safety sales taxes for police and fire operations, including the ½ cent Public Safety Center sales tax, and the capital improvements sales tax. The sales tax for police is cent, ¼ cent for fire, and the capital improvements tax is ¾ cent approved in 1996. Two-thirds of all General Fund revenue (66.8% of $49,525,260) is dedicated to fire and police operations. The municipal government uses approximately 33 citizen-based boards, commissions, and task forces to assist in critical decision making. The City is focused on attracting advanced technology with its related industries, and retail and light industry while still providing a quality life style for its residents. THE COMMUNITY The City of Edmond is located immediately north of Oklahoma City and the cities share a common boundary. Edmond is considered the most innovative and progressive metro suburban community. The City is best known for its award winning schools, its commitment to parks and recreation, well-attended parades and festivals, and strong community emphasis on quality of life issues. The City places a great emphasis on arts and culture and the role of special events. It is a friendly, energetic, and an innovative community. Edmond, Oklahoma, one of the fastest growing cities in the southwest, is a progressive and diverse city. A high level of citizen confidence in City government resulted in the passage of two successive continuation of sales tax initiatives to invest in Edmond s future. The City s commitment to providing quality services is reflected in the consistently high ratings on citizen surveys. Edmond, a growing suburb with a population of approximately 83,000, has a committed active citizenry. The city limits cover 90 square miles; the Edmond school district covers 130 square miles. Major interstate highways I-35 and I-44 serve Edmond, with I-40 located 14 miles to the south. Edmond is a community full of families attracted by the reputation of the Edmond Public School District. Edmond is the site of the University of Central Oklahoma and borders the Oklahoma Christian University of Science and Arts.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE The selected candidate will have nine plus years of progressively responsible experience in urban, regional and land use planning or related experience. Municipal experience preferred. In addition, five years of management/supervisory experience. A bachelor s degree in city planning or related field of study are preferred qualifications. Must possess or obtain a valid Oklahoma driver s license and have a driving record acceptable to the City s insurance carrier. COMPENSATION Salary range is $88,704 to $133,056 with the starting salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. A monthly car allowance is provided as well as an attractive benefits package. Benefits include a self-funded group health, dental, vision and life/disability insurance package, 11 paid holidays per year, generous vacation and sick leave plans, pension plan, supplementary retirement plan, longevity bonus and other benefits and incentive programs. HOW TO APPLY For additional information on this exceptional opportunity, please contact Lisa Goodpasture, Human Resources Director at 405-359-4687 or lisa.goodpasture@edmondok.com. Position will remain open until filled. First review of cover letters and resumes to occur after September 16, 2016. Confidential cover letters and resumes should be sent to: City of Edmond Human Resources Department PO Box 2970 Edmond OK 73083 Fax: 405-359-4688 E-Mail: michaela.williams@edmondok.com OR Candidates may apply online at www.edmondok.com/jobs The City of Edmond is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The City of Edmond does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, political ideas or disability in employment or the provision of services. RESOURCES City of Edmond www.edmondok.com Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce www.edmondchamber.com Edmond Economic Development Authority www.eeda.com Edmond Schools www.edmondschools.net CITY OF EDMOND CORE VALUES CUSTOMER SERVICE INTEGRITY TEAMWORK ACCOUNTABILITY PROFESSIONALISM COMMUNICATION INNOVATION TRUSTWORTHY SERVICE THROUGH CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT CITY OF EDMOND LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS Earn trust and respect by always speaking the truth and leading by positive example. Create an environment of openness and sharing of ideas to encourage employee engagement and empower them with confidence. Present your viewpoint and disagree when needed. However, once a decision has been made, own the final decision. Be willing to make a tough decision and deal with the issues in a timely manner. Recognize the big picture of city operations beyond your direct areas of responsibility. Seek partnerships with other city departments and outside agencies. Communicate with your team and ensure the water of knowledge and understanding gets to the end of the row. Challenge your team to answer these three questions: o What is the core service I provide? o What is my role in the organization? o What keeps me from doing my job better?
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