City Planner

The City of Concord, NH is seeking a City Planner for its Community Development Department. The role involves directing the Planning Division's daily operations, supervising staff, and overseeing land use boards and the Master Plan implementation. Candidates should possess strong municipal planning knowledge, public engagement skills, and a commitment to community service. The position offers competitive pay and comprehensive benefits but is not remote.
About the position

The City of Concord is seeking a forward-thinking, community service-oriented individual to fill the position of City Planner in the Community Development Department Planning Division. The City is experiencing a spike in development activity and is regularly listed among the “hottest real estate markets” in the United States. The City anticipates the onset of a comprehensive Master Plan update in the near future, leading to the need for a competent professional to lead the division into the implementation of the City's vision and to work collaboratively with city staff, the development community, and the City's residents. This position is responsible for directing the daily operations of the Planning Division; supervising and directing the work of all Planning Division staff; overseeing staff support for the City's various land use boards, commissions, and committees; and coordinating the work associated with the City's Master Plan and the implementation of the Plan. Writing, public speaking, plan review, and community engagement skills are highly valued, along with positive energy and a motivation for positive community change. The City offers competitive pay with a comprehensive benefit package to include low deductible health plans with HSA funding offered by Harvard Pilgrim, Delta Dental to include a lifetime orthodontia benefit, Delta Vision, New Hampshire Retirement System Pension, three choices of 457 Retirement Plans, Paid STD, LTD and PFML as well as free family pool pass for employees, free library card, and member guest rate for employees at our very own Beaver Meadow Golf Course. In this role, the City Planner will perform work of considerable difficulty, managing the daily operations of the Planning Division. This includes planning, scheduling, organizing, and evaluating work activities and projects to ensure quality standards and timely completion of work. The City Planner will interact with the public and representatives of the media, and collaborate with management staff and elected officials. The position requires a strong understanding of municipal planning, zoning, development regulations, and land use law, as well as the ability to supervise and direct the work of others effectively.

Responsibilities
• Direct the daily operations of the Planning Division.
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• Supervise and direct the work of all Planning Division staff.
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• Prepare the operating budget for the division, including accomplishments, workload measurements, and management goals.
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• Oversee preparation of requests for proposals, consultant selection, implementation of work program, and review and approval of invoices.
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• Assist the City Solicitor in the defense of legal actions against the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and any other Board or Commission for which the Planning Division is the primary staff.
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• Oversee support to City Boards and Commissions for which the Planning Division is primary staff liaison.
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• Serve as Clerk of Planning Board and manage agendas, minutes, reports, and meeting setup.
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• Review Planning Board development permitting applications for compliance with applicable laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations.
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• Coordinate and facilitate review of applications and related submissions with various city departments and third parties.
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• Prepare written responses to applicants and discuss applications with them and the general public.
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• Perform site visits and inspections of subject properties during the application review process.
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• Prepare zoning ordinance amendments and coordinate all activities associated therewith.
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• Conduct research and prepare reports on various planning topics.

Requirements
• Bachelor's degree in planning, community development, landscape architecture, public administration, geography or related field; Master's degree preferred.
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• Ten years of progressively responsible related experience, including 5 years in a supervisory capacity.
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• Valid motor vehicle operator's license.
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• AICP Certification preferred.
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• APA Member preferred.
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• NHPA Member preferred.

Nice-to-haves
• Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
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• Knowledge of principles and practices of new urbanism, sustainability, complete streets, and multimodal corridor design.
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• Familiarity with Tyler Technology software packages, including Munis accounting software and EnerGov permitting software.

Benefits
• Low deductible health plans with HSA funding offered by Harvard Pilgrim.
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• Delta Dental with a lifetime orthodontia benefit.
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• Delta Vision insurance.
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• New Hampshire Retirement System Pension.
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• Three choices of 457 Retirement Plans.
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• Paid Short-Term Disability (STD), Long-Term Disability (LTD), and Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML).
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• Free family pool pass for employees.
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• Free library card for employees.
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• Member guest rate for employees at Beaver Meadow Golf Course.