Planning Director

Salary : $124,886.19 - $159,389.94 Annually

Location : Medford, OR

Job Type: Full-Time (with benefits)

Job Number: 2024-00116-01

Department: Planning

Opening Date: 10/07/2024

Closing Date: Continuous

Bargaining Unit: Executive

Summary

Discover Medford: Employment, Applicant Support, and Benefits within Our City

This position is open until filled with a first review date scheduled for Monday, October 28th.

Priority will be given to candidates who submit their application
on or before Sunday, October 27th, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

Shape the Future of Medford!
Join the City of Medford as our next Planning Director and lead the charge in shaping our vibrant, growing community. This pivotal role offers the opportunity to drive innovative urban planning, foster sustainable development, and collaborate with diverse teams to make a lasting impact. If you're a visionary leader with a passion for building thriving communities, we invite you to be part of our future.

Required Education and Experience:

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent; and
• Nine (9) years of experience in planning, zoning, and related community development activities, with at least three (3) of those years in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Bachelor's degree in urban planning, land use planning, public administration, or other specific area of study as deemed applicable may substitute for four (4) years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in urban planning, public administration, or other area of study deemed applicable.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)

Available Schedule:

• 8 hours daily, Monday - Friday
• Opportunity for alternate schedule after the first 90-days:
  • 9-80 (nine-hour workdays with a three-day weekend every other week)
  • Teleworking up to 1 day per week

Compensation & Information on Benefits

This position is part of the Executive employee group.

Learn more about our benefits HERE.

The anticipated hiring range for the Planning Director position is $60.04(first step) to $63.04or $66.20(second or third step).Directly related experience and qualifications will be evaluated alongside others who perform work of comparable character as required by Pay Equity Law. Six steps are included in this salary range, allowing opportunity for annual movement through the steps.

Healthcare Benefits:

• Medical, vision and dental benefits for employee and family, paid at 100% by the City with the opportunity to buy-up to a lower deductible plan
• Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance - policy value of $50,000 paid by the City
• Long-term disability insurance provided by the City
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA-VEBA) contributions provided by the City

Retirement Benefits:

• Oregon Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) lifetime pension after retirement at no cost to employee
• PERS is 100% fully paid as the City pays both the employer and the employee's (6%) contributions
• Deferred Compensation retirement plan (Section 457 Plan) for employee's retirement planning

Additional Benefits:

• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• 457 Deferred Compensation match up to 1%
• Car and cellphone allowance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• The City's Wellness Program promotes physical, social, emotional, intellectual, financial and environmental wellness with various goals and challenges to participate in throughout the year. Employees may qualify for wellness incentives by completing milestones set within the program up to $200 annually
• Access to the City's fully equipped fitness center 24/7

Examples of Job Duties

Essential Functions of the Position:

• Plans and directs activities of the Planning Department; establishes timelines and standards for all Department work assignments and projects.
• Directs the processing of land use applications and serves as the approving authority for those actions specified in the Land Development Code.
• Reviews and presents studies and reports for the City Manager, Community Development Director, City Council, Planning Commission, Site Plan and Architectural Commission, and Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission.
• Develops and recommends land use policies and revisions to the Development Code.
• Directs and oversees planning studies and makes recommendations for the development and maintenance of the Comprehensive Plan.
• Prepares and administers the Department budget, grants, and contracts for planning studies.
• Oversees departmental process improvements and implementation of policies, goals, objectives, rules and regulations.
• Directs, supervises and evaluates the work performance of staff and oversees Department hiring, disciplinary actions, staff development, etc.
• Serves as a liaison to City departments, external organizations, agencies and citizens.
• Scope of assigned area will depend on departmental and/or citywide operational structure and is at the discretion of the City Manager.

Other Functions of the Position:

• Monitors national and statewide developments in planning and economic development matters and evaluates their impact on City programs and operations.
• Provides technical support and coordination with the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development and other governmental agencies.
• Reviews and makes suggestions on legislative agenda items.
• Upholds the values of the organization and has strong customer service orientation.
• Handles job stress and interacts effectively with others in the workplace.
• Fosters an environment that embraces diversity, integrity, trust, and respect.
• Is an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation, and communication.
• Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.
• Demonstrates regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.

Competencies:
Communicativeness
Effective performers recognize the essential value of continuous information exchange. They actively seek information from a variety of sources and disseminate it in a variety of ways. They use modern technologies to access and circulate information. They take responsibility for ensuring that their peers and supervisors have the current and accurate information needed for success.

Relationship Building
Effective performers understand that a primary factor in success is establishing and maintaining productive relationships. They like interacting with people and are good at it. They devote appropriate time and energy to establishing and maintaining networks. They initiate contacts readily and maintain them over time. They can utilize relationships to facilitate business transactions.

Functional/Technical Expertise
Effective performers are knowledgeable and skilled in a functional specialty. They add organizational value through unique expertise in a functional specialty area. They remain current in their area of expertise and serve as a resource in that area for the organization.

Industry Knowledge
Effective performers understand the general workings of the industry within which the organization functions. They monitor activities and trends within these arenas and maintain a current knowledge base. They use this knowledge to further the organization/departments' goals.

Strategic Thinking
Effective performers act with the future in mind. They plan and make decisions within the framework of the City's strategic intent. They know and understand the factors influencing strategy (e.g., core competence, customers, and the organization's current strengths and limitations). They consider future impact when weighing decisions. They constantly think in terms of continually improving City services.

Supplemental Information

IMPORTANT (Please read):

It is important your application shows all the relevant experience you possess.

Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an online application; an application will be considered incomplete with a "see resume" response.

Please complete the application and answer the supplemental questions thoroughly to ensure our subject matter experts can appropriately evaluate your experience as we compare applicants.

How to Apply:

Applications are only accepted online and must be received by the posted closing date/time.

This position is open until filled. For first consideration, apply by October 27, 2024.

Selection procedures and timelines subject to change.

Those selected must be able to provide proof of legal right to work in this country.

Hiring will be subject to successful completion of the following:

• Criminal history background investigation
• Favorable driving record
• Clear drug screen following federal law
• Professional reference check

Questions or Assistance:

• If you have questions about the job posting, please contact the Human Resources department at ([redacted].
• For technical assistance completing your online application, please contact Government Jobs at ([redacted].

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE:

Qualifying veterans and disabled veterans may obtain preference during the hiring and/or promotional selection process. As verification of eligibility, a copy of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215) must be uploaded with the online employment application. Disabled veterans must also upload a copy of the veteran's disability preference letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or 215.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT:

The City of Medford is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, ancestry, status as a protected veteran, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

ADA:

The City of Medford complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you consider yourself disabled and require assistance in the application process, please contact ([redacted] or email: [redacted].

The City of Medford offers an excellent total comprehensive benefit package to all full-time employees.

This position is part of the Executive employee group. Please visit our webpage for more details.

01

Describe a comprehensive plan you've helped develop for a city that is similar to Medford. What specific challenges did you face, and how did you address them?

02

Describe your experience managing budgets and resources for urban planning projects.

03

How do you approach long-term planning in rapidly growing or changing communities? Please provide specific strategies or frameworks you've applied in the past.

04

Share a specific example of a past situation where your leadership style was recognized by your team, and how did their feedback reflect your approach?

Required Question