Chief Planner/Zoning Officer

*****The start date for this position is expected to be June 1, 2026*****

Chief Planner/Zoning Officer 

Department of Planning & Codes

 Class Title:  Chief Planner/Zoning Officer 

Department of Planning & Codes

Class Definition: Working under the supervision and guidance of the City Administrator. The incumbent coordinates and manages all planning/zoning matters. This person serves as the lead individual to the Easton Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board. Organizes and supervises the daily Planning/Zoning operations and functions of the Department of Planning & Codes. This person will work alongside other directors across the City.

 The ideal candidate would have strong public speaking and community relationship skills, management, policy development, writing, computer graphic and geographic information systems abilities, and technical expertise in the area of urban planning. This position is considered administrative and is exempt employment status.

 Essential Duties, Knowledge, and Responsibilities: Including the following, other duties may be assigned. These duties are not intended to be all inclusive or exclusive, just illustrative of the kind of work to be performed. 

• Participates in the development of policy, ordinances, official map, and comprehensive plan
• Prepares ordinances, grants, and other reports; maintains all planning/zoning records
• Implements the City’s growth management program; assigns and tracks processing of planning applications, including scheduling for Planning Commission meetings and development of agendas.
• Prepares and presents technical presentations to any commissions, boards, authorities, or groups as representatives for the department and the City as required.
• Properly responds to the public and other inquiries including applicants and complaints
• Participates in the evaluation, updating, and amendments of the Comprehensive Plan; evaluates rezoning, special exception, zoning ordinance amendments, and land development regulations for consistency with the comprehensive plan.
• Works with department director, local officials, Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Board, public, and other agencies to develop and implement land use policies and regulations and resolve planning and environmental issues.
• May serve as acting director in the absence of a department director
• Must be proficient with the use of a computer, format plotter, scanner, and general office equipment. Essential knowledge of Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and ESRI GIS computer systems.
• Extensive knowledge in public land use, land preservation and environmental planning; urban planning as it is applied to statistical methods and procedures, economics, laws and regulations, architecture and design
• Receive, examine, and process all applications for subdivision and land development
• Receive, examine, and process all applications for zoning permits and reviewing construction drawings for construction code compliance
• Receive applications for curative amendments and zoning changes, forwarding such requests to City Council, Planning Commission, and other appropriate agencies
• Receive applications for special exceptions and forward those applications to the Planning Commission for review and recommendations and to the Zoning Hearing Board for action
• Coordinate with the Zoning Solicitor on matters with zoning determinations as needed
• Attend and speak at the regularly scheduled Zoning Hearing Board meetings
• Attend and speak at the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meetings

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer, copier and printers and/or plotters. Some outdoor work is required in the inspection of various land use developments and construction sites.

 Strength to lift and carry materials and equipment up to 25 pounds, occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds is required. Specific vision abilities and hand-eye coordination to read printed materials, and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person, and over the telephone; use arms and hands to finger, handle, feel operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.

Minimum Qualifications Required: Graduation from a four-year college or university with a Bachelor Degree in Planning or a closely related field; plus six years of planning experience; or Master’s degree from an accredited university in Urban or Regional Planning with a minimum of three years previous planning experience; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that is satisfactory to the City preferably in a municipal setting. Candidate must be a member in good standing of the American Planning Association and AICP Certified. A zoning certification from the state of PA or ICC zoning certification will be required at time of hire or be obtained within one year of hire date. Must possess a valid Pennsylvania State driver’s license or have the ability to obtain one prior to employment. The ability to speak Spanish is desirable but not required. Experience with historical structures is desirable but not required.

 Benefits : Generous paid time off policies to include vacation , holidays ,sick and personal . Robust healthcare offering; medical, dental, vision and prescription ,included life insurance with option to purchase. Flexible spending accounts( Health Care & Dependent Care) Health Savings Account and Employee Assistant Program . PMRS Pension Plan with limited purchase up to five years based on other government employment within the Commonwealth .   

The successful applicant will be subject to an extensive background check before employment.