Deputy Director

The City Plan Department is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Deputy Director of Zoning to lead the zoning section and oversee the planning, legislative, and administrative aspects of the city's zoning ordinance and map. This leadership role requires extensive collaboration with regulatory staff, city departments, legal counsel, and enforcement officials to ensure the effective implementation of zoning regulations.

Reporting to the Executive Director of the City Plan Department, the Deputy Director will serve as the department’s zoning expert, supervising all zoning-related activities, supporting the Board of Zoning Appeals, City Plan Commission, and Historic District Commission, and contributing to city-wide planning and development efforts.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the city’s growth and development. If you have a passion for urban planning, zoning, and community engagement, we encourage you to apply!

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

This is professional planning work involving the supervision of the activities of the zoning section of the City Plan Department.

Work involves responsibility for the planning, administrative and legislative aspects of the city’s zoning ordinance and map and is performed with considerable independence. Work includes supervising a small staff of technical assistants and close coordination with the office of the Corporation Counsel on legal matters and with the Zoning Enforcement Officer.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supports staff collaboration and technical processes of the Board of Zoning Appeals, City Plan Commission and Historic District Commission. This includes review of applications, working with regulatory staff and volunteer board members and commissioners to ensure adherence with statutory requirements, preparing for and participating in meetings.
• Serves as the Department’s subject matter expert in zoning process and analysis.
• Serves on the Departmental leadership team providing guidance on broader Department functions and supporting city-wide zoning efforts related to building, planning, economic and community development.
• Responsible for administration of the zoning code including researching, writing and coordination publication of Zoning Ordinance text and maps with various departments and Board of Alders staff.
• Ensures that the zoning text, Municode (online system for code updates), and GIS maps are accurate.
• Plans and implements updates to the zoning ordinance in a manner consistent with the comprehensive plan.
• Tracks current zoning literature and important case law and communicate relevant items to staff, board members and commissioners.
• Prepares and presents reports and analysis of zoning issues and initiatives at public meetings and public hearings.
• Participates in evening meetings including the Board of Zoning Appeals, Historic District Commission, City Plan Commission, Board of Alders and community meetings.
• Interacts extensively with public and development community to advise on complex zoning matters.
• Supervises all activities related to zoning and ordinances.  Coordinates and supports regulatory staff for Board of Zoning Appeals, City Plan Commission and Historic District Commission.
• Performs other related work as required.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Graduation from a four-year college or university and a master’s degree in planning law, architecture, urban studies, geography, landscape architecture, engineering or related field; and, Five years of experience in regional or city planning work supplemented by at least two years of work of a supervisory nature.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the following knowledge, abilities, and skills:

• Considerable knowledge of the methods and techniques of city planning and zoning including familiarity with flood plain, inland-wetland, and coastal regulations.
• Considerable knowledge of the organization and functioning of city government.
• Considerable knowledge of legal and administrative procedures in connection with planning and zoning.
• Understanding of implementing form-based code.
• Understanding of racial and social equity impacts of zoning and land use, with special focus on affordable housing.
• Understanding of climate change mitigation and adaptation as related to zoning and land use, with special focus on coastal resiliency, extreme heat impacts and vulnerable populations.
• Ability to read, understand and yield judgement on drawing sets and site plans.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with civic leaders, public officials, the general public and co-workers, with high quality customer service skills.
• Ability to conduct complex planning studies and formulate sound recommendations for zoning standards and plans under time constraints.
• Ability to use sound judgment in planning for future developments.
• Ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing.
• Ability to plan and supervise the work of staff of professional, technical and clerical assistants
• Ability to support zoning enforcement activities consistent with state law.
• Ability to use electronic media effectively to organize administrative files and to illustrate zoning concepts, analysis and ordinance revisions (Word, Excel, Access, G.I.S.).
• Ability to design, set up and manage online and hybrid platforms for conducting Board of Zoning Appeals, City Plan Commission and Historic District Commission.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Eligibility for A.I.C.P. certification and CAZEO certification.

MUST APPLY ON OUR SITE TO BE CONSIDERED

Bulletin - Deputy Director, Zoning #2501-5460-01 - City of New Haven - Online Employment Center