Executive Director of Development Services

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall management of the Development Services Department to include planning and zoning, economic development, utility and transportation infrastructure and building and engineering. Significant responsibilities for oversight and budget planning of major Town construction, infrastructure and other related projects.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

1. Plans, develops, administers, and leads all programs, functions, and activities of the Development Services Department, e.g. planning and zoning, building, engineering, transportation and economic development. This may include the following:
   • Current planning, zoning, and code compliance.
   • Construction, alteration, repair, and inspection of buildings and structures.
   • Economic Development strategies and initiatives.
   • All other related development processes
2. Monitors developments related to planning, engineering, building, land use, economic development, grant and bond programs and evaluates their impact upon Town operations and recommends policy and procedural modifications.
3. Leads long range planning and other strategic studies in the community to gather data for evaluation of current and future conditions.
4. Serves as a technical advisor to the Plan Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), the Design Review Committee (DRC), Community Development Corporation (CDC), the Town Council, Town Manager and other Town departments and civic groups on planning, zoning enforcement, building inspections housing programs and related matters; interprets ordinances and regulations as they apply to respective areas.
5. Directs Department heads in the preparation of agenda items for the Town Council, Plan Commission, Redevelopment Commission, Utility Board and other town boards and commissions. 
6. Directs the preparation of environmental impact evaluations on proposed projects.
7. Conducts special studies and assignments; researches complex planning and engineering problems and prepares a variety of comprehensive reports.
8. Represents the Town at meetings of citizen advisory boards, community groups, business and trade associations, at related Hendricks County boards or groups, and other interested organizations to present Town programs and activities and answer questions or complaints.
9. Responds to contacts and requests from developers, trade and commerce associations, and other interested parties needing assistance in locating installations, operations, and businesses within the Town. Participates in the organization and coordination of the activities of other Town departments and agencies in providing continuing response and assistance to such requests and inquiries.
10. Develops and recommends new policies and programs to the Town Manager and assists in presentations to the Town Council and other appropriate Town agencies and departments.
11. Prepares budget estimates and submits them to the Town Manager and Town Controller when required.
12. Works with the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce, Community Development Corporation, and the Hendricks County Economic Development Partnership in recruiting businesses and developers to locate within the Town.
13. Advises the Town Council of all events, proposals or inquiries that may have an impact on the community.
14. Completes administrative duties to include attending meetings, reviewing statistics and reports, completing various reports, approving departmental payroll, approving invoices, answering inquiries, maintaining files and records, etc., as needed.
15. Is a member of the Executive Leadership team and serves as an Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, when necessary, as outlined in the continuity of operations plan.

1. Maintains an effective communication process with the Town Manager.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervises both Professional Director Level employees and Para-professional employees who work in the Development Services Department. Employee carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; scheduling and approving time worked; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty according to the requirements of the organization. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

Town-related Competencies: To perform this job successfully, all employees working in the Town should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration - Gets along with and maintains positive relationships with coworkers. Is willing to help with all types of work, no matter how big or small the task. Asks for and listens to coworkers’ feedback; incorporates feedback into revised processes. Positively reinforces team members for their contributions and accomplishments. Admits mistakes when they occur, learns from them, and enables others to do the same. 
• Service to Citizens - Always represents the Town of Plainfield well; maintains personal accountability and ownership for customer service. Lets customers know that he/she is willing to work with them to meet their needs. Follows up to ensure that requests and concerns are resolved. Understands customer problems and needs; quickly and effectively solves customer problems. Does more than what is normally required to resolve customer concerns. 
• Professionalism - Demonstrates professionalism in appearance and actions. Maintains timely, personable, and effective communications with citizens and the general public, and local or intergovernmental contacts and neighboring community leaders. Demonstrates flexibility and a positive attitude when change occurs. Does not participate in conversations or actions that are disrespectful to others. Uses Town resources and assets wisely, efficiently, and according to Town policy. 
• Dependability - Attends work as scheduled; follows the attendance policy and informs his/her manager of absences in advance. Accepts assignments willingly and can be counted on to complete tasks on time. Completes tasks accurately and thoroughly, eliminating the need for close review. Timely follow-through on tasks and projects issued by the Department Head, Town Manager, or Town Council. Does what he/she commits to doing. 
• Interpersonal Communications - Communicates clearly, accurately, and respectfully with coworkers and customers. Keeps the Town Council well-informed of any incidents or issues; especially regarding offsite incidents. Keeps sensitive and confidential matters private. Listens to others and seeks to understand others’ perspectives. Willingly accepts feedback and incorporates it into work activities and interactions. 
• Job Knowledge and Work Habits - Takes pride in work and coworkers; performs work with a positive attitude that enables others to perform well. Is willing to ask questions when the job or task is not fully understood. Willingly participates in training to maintain or enhance current knowledge of principles, procedures, methods, and/or technology. Maintains an optimistic outlook when faced with difficulty or change and makes an effort to overcome obstacles. Retains the expected job knowledge; helps others by sharing knowledge.

Job-related Competencies – To perform this job successfully, employees in this job should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
• Delegation – Delegates work assignments; matches the responsibility to the person; Gives authority to work independently; Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; Provides recognition for results.
• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Conserves organizational resources.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
• Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.

Education and/or Experience: Master's degree (M.A. /M.B.A. /M.P.A.) or equivalent; and seven years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and 7-10 years related executive experience. Professional Engineer (P.E.) certification is desired but not required. Project Management certification is desired. Previous experience in a municipal and/or government-related job in the development services area is desired. Previous supervisory experience is required.

 

Other Skills and Abilities: The following skills and abilities are either required or desired.

• Computer software skills required include: Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and GIS Arcview.
• The ability to utilize a broad knowledge of management principles, practices and techniques to formulate and coordinate activities and functions with the Town is required.
• The ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the Town’s operations and to institute improvements is required.
• A working knowledge of business administration, and personnel management and supervision is required. 
• A comprehensive understanding of accounting principles and practices and fiscal management to include working with utility budgets, TIF District Budgets and public bond financing and operating budgets is required. 
• A working knowledge of all applicable Federal, State and Town laws and ordinances is required.
• A strong proficiency with current codes, best practices and operations of planning and zoning, transportation, and redevelopment is required.
• A strong knowledge of public utilities to include water, storm water, wastewater infrastructures, planning, and construction is required.
• The ability to write reports, while paying close attention to detail is required.
• The ability to read maps, site plans and knowledge of landscape architecture is required.
• The ability to operate all Development Services Department vehicles is required.
• The ability to utilize all Development Services Department tools and equipment is required.
• The ability to make sound and rational decisions including exercising independent judgment within established protocols and guidelines is required.
• The ability to enforce rules and follow all established protocols and guidelines is required.
• The ability to maintain and cultivate positive relationship with residents, vendors and other Town departments is required.
• The ability to resolve conflicts between employees and between employees and residents is required.
• The ability remain current with all required licenses, certifications and in-service requirements is required.
• The ability to operate a computer, printer, copy machine, scanner, fax machine, and other office equipment is required.
• The ability to speak, read and write in English is required. Spanish is desired.

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 duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee is frequently required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors), peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point), depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships), and the ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus).

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is exposed to working in outdoor weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions (non-weather): working near moving mechanical parts; work in high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme cold (non-weather), extreme heat (non-weather); risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

While the offices of the Town of Plainfield are usually open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, this position may require work beyond these hours and on the weekends. It also requires the ability to drive a Town vehicles. Thus, a valid driver’s license is required.

Salary : $100,000 - $140,000