Planning & Zoning Administrator

The City of Salina, Kansas seeks a Planning & Zoning Administrator to lead the Planning Division within the Community Development Department. This leadership role involves managing staff, overseeing zoning applications, ensuring compliance with regulations, and collaborating with various stakeholders. The position requires strong administrative and supervisory skills to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency, while also representing the department in public meetings and community engagements.
PLANNING & ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
City of Salina, Kansas
Development Services Department

APPLY: jobs.salina-ks.gov

The City of Salina is seeking a strong, forward-thinking leader to serve as our next Zoning Administrator within our high-impact, mission-driven Community Development Department. This is not just a technical role, it’s a leadership opportunity for someone who can guide a talented team, contribute to department-wide strategy, & help drive transformational projects that are shaping Salina’s future. This position is open due to the retirement of a long serving & highly respected member of our team.

As Zoning Administrator, you’ll manage & mentor planning staff, oversee zoning applications & code enforcement, serve as liaison to keyboards & commissions, & collaborate closely with other divisions & external partners. You’ll also serve as a key member of the department’s leadership team, helping to align internal operations with our broader mission, vision, & strategic goals.

Duties:
• Plans, organizes, & performs supervisory & administrative duties of the Planning Division.
• Coordinates the review, administration, & enforcement of zoning ordinances & any applicable adopted plans.
• Manages the intake, review, & analysis of development applications to ensure compliance with Zoning & Subdivision Regulations; ensures timely & accurate processing throughout all phases of the approval process.
• Serves as the primary liaison to the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Design Review Board, & Heritage Commission; oversees & administers public meeting logistics including agenda preparation, packet assembly, notifications, minutes, & ensures adherence to all applicable local, state, & federal requirements.
• Leads the review of permit applications for compliance with zoning codes; facilitates the issuance of permits through the City’s online permitting system & applies technical expertise in permit-related software platforms.
• Investigates potential zoning code violations & promotes voluntary compliance; communicates corrective actions to property owners & applicants; maintains detailed case records using department software, including inspection notes, photographs, & other documentation.
• Recruits, trains, & evaluates division staff; coordinates professional development & addresses performance issues through consistent & thorough performance management; monitors & balances staff workloads across zoning, permitting, enforcement, & project areas.
• Provides professional guidance to the public, including developers, engineers, architects, & planners, on land use & planning matters; prepares comprehensive reviews & reports for Development Review Team meetings.
• Supports the department’s strategic process improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing service delivery, operational efficiency, & customer satisfaction; collaborates with leadership to foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Represents the department at public hearings, city meetings, & with community groups & stakeholders; effectively communicates planning goals, regulatory requirements, & policy decisions.
• Contributes to the development & implementation of community development plans; executes directives from the City Commission, Planning Commission, & City Manager related to physical development & land use policy.
• Conducts complex research & policy analysis on development proposals & regulatory issues; prepares technical reports, drafts policies, & maintains a comprehensive record of related data & documentation; handles sensitive & confidential information as required.
• Completes special projects & other assignments as delegated by the Director.
• Trains & supervises planning staff.

Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public administration or a related field.
• Master’s degree is strongly preferred.

Experience:
• Five (5) years of experience in planning, community development or city management.

Requirements:
• Must live within 40 minutes response time.
• Must possess a valid Kansas driver’s license.

Work Type:
• Light, exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Hours:
• Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Attends meetings outside regular office hours.

Pay DOQ EOE:
• Starting Pay: $81,259-85,301/yr.
• Full Pay Range: $81,259-130,016/yr.

Paid Time Off:
• 48 hours of vacation available upon hire; additional 48 hours earned during the year (96 hours in first year).
• 96 hours of sick leave during first year.

Application Deadline: TH 06/12/2025

Apply: jobs.salina-ks.gov

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $81,259.00 - $130,016.00 per year

Benefits:
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:
• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person