Land Use Director
CITY OF FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS
POSITION Director
DEPARTMENT Land Use & Development
STATUS Full-Time (Exempt)
CLASSIFICATION Management
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO Mayor of Fairview Heights
SUMMARY OF POSITION
The position involves the supervision and the coordination of land use planning and development activities in the City of Fairview Heights.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES (Essential functions include the following and the Physical Requirements listed below):
• Responsible for planning, administering, and coordinating both short range and long range community development and improvement programs and projects
• Responsible for the administration and interpretation of all local land use regulations, including the zoning and subdivision ordinances of the Development Code of the City
• Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff; assist in interviewing and selecting employees; administer transfers, promotions, reassignments, terminations, and disciplinary actions
• Perform site plan review involving complete analyses of all proposed development and their conformance to the City’s ordinances and planning standards
• Perform necessary professional research, technical analyses, and planning tasks for the satisfactory completion of all required studies, reports, plans, or other projects
• Exercise independent initiative and judgment in applying professional principles and techniques to planning and other technical problems
• Responsible for maintaining well qualified staff and staff training while implementing administrative policies within the department
• Act as representative for the City to various planning and development organizations with the ability to speak confidently and professionally in front of the public and large groups of people
• Prepares and administers the Land Use and Development Department’s budget
• Responsible for maintaining effective working relationships with elected officials,
contractors, government agency personnel, city employees, and the general public• Consults with and advises developers, contractors, members of the general public, various organizations and agencies, elected officials, and attorneys on planning related issues and legal matters relating to planning functions
• Formulates planning policy recommendations in addition to coordinating and directing all
technical planning activities, including those of the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Planning
Commission, and the Aldermanic Planning Committee
• Review and authorize issuance of all construction permits submitted to the City’s Building
Official
• Act as the chief land use and development representative for the City with external contacts,
including local citizenry, local businesses, local media, and prospective developers
• Provide public assistance of a technical nature to the general public regarding planning and
zoning matters
• Perform current and future planning duties
• Responsible for enforcement of code issues involving nuisances, business regulations, property maintenance, and other regulations as necessary.
• Attends meetings, seminars, and training sessions regarding land use regulations, to discuss
planning related subjects, and to promote working knowledge of planning, zoning, and development
• Other duties and tasks as assigned by the Mayor or his/her designee
BASIC JOB QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning or a closely related field required; Master’s Degree in
City Planning and AICP designation preferred
• Five (5)+ years’ experience in city planning, zoning, community development, or economic
development within a local government (or related) required
• Excellent project management skills and working knowledge of the principles of planning, land use, and zoning administration
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills to work effectively with Department staff,
City officials, commissioned boards, and the general public
• Demonstrated ability to effectively supervise staff to accomplish assigned projects and tasks
in an efficient manner within time and budgetary constraints
• Valid Driver’s License
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES REQUIRED
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and accepted practices of public planning, and the
socio-economics and legal aspects involved
• Knowledge of modern trends and literature in the field of planning
• Knowledge of current federal, state, and local laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and standards incident to municipal planning and development and the building trades
• Ability to think conceptually, observe and evaluate trends, analyze data, draw logical
conclusions, and prepare comprehensive reports
• Ability to plan, assign, and coordinate the work of staff
• Ability to communicate efficiently and clearly, both orally and in writing
• Working knowledge and skillful use of Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to skillfully use planning and development related platforms and programs, such as GIS software
• Ability to gain and retain effective working relationships with employees, city officials,
other municipal and governmental agency officials, and the general public
• Ability to work on many projects at the same time in a dynamic and rapidly growing community
• Knowledge of state annexation laws and annexation procedures
• Working knowledge of common office equipment and technology, such as the use of a phone, printer, copy and fax machine, scanning equipment and software, and the ability to learn and adapt to new equipment and technology on an ongoing basis
WORKING CONDITIONS
Most work is generally performed in a regular office environment with occasional exposure to
extreme weather conditions while outdoors conducting site visits in the field. In addition, the
position is required to attend evening meetings on a frequent basis.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Position requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time; stand and walk; lift, carry,
push, pull or otherwise move items weighing up to 25 pounds; seeing, speaking, and hearing
necessary to issue and follow oral and written instructions; manual dexterity sufficient to
effectively and efficiently operate office machinery, including a computer keyboard.