Town Planner

Essential Functions

Manages, provides guidance to, and reviews the work of individual contributors in order to accomplish operational plans and results.

Plans and oversees departmental / functional area workflow and time utilization of staff; assigns and communicates daily activities and deadlines to staff.

Affirms and implements best practice standards and ensures compliance with all local, state, federal guidelines and regulatory agencies; compiles and submits data for trend analysis and regulatory reporting.

Prepares monthly, annual, and statistical reports as requested by Town Council, Town manager, Boards/Commissions.

Serves as staff liaison to the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC), Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commission (CIWWC) and Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA); prepares agendas and presentations, soliciting input from other town staff.

Serves as Zoning Enforcement Officer; enforces zoning regulations, monitors applications for zoning permits and zoning compliance; investigates, researches, and identifies violations; submits all required evidence per Town policies and procedures.

Serves as Wetlands Enforcement Officer; enforces wetlands regulations, monitors applications for Wetlands permits and compliance; investigates, researches, and identifies violations; submits all required evidence per Town policies & procedures.

Serves as Town Blight Enforcement Officer. Responsible for receiving and investigating complaints, developing and executing remediation plans, and periodically reviewing regulations and making recommendations to the Town Manager.

Supervises reviews and evaluations of work methods and procedures and meets with management staff to identify and resolve problems.

Affords assessments and monitoring of workload; identifies opportunities for improvement and implements changes.

Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the departmental budget; approves the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in planning, urban studies or related field; supplemented by five (5) years of directly related experience in regulation enforcement and/or municipal planning; or an equivalent combination of education, certification, training, and/or experience.
• Per Connecticut Statute, must have or obtain within two (2) years of employment, certification as a Certified Zoning Enforcement Officer from the Connecticut Association of Zoning Enforcement Officers.
• Certification as a Wetlands Official from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
• Must possess and maintain a valid State of Connecticut Driver’s License and the ability to drive a Town-owned vehicle per established policies, procedures, and safety guidelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in urban planning and five (5) years as a Town Planner in a similar municipality and certification from American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
• Flood Plain Manager Certification from FEMA.