The Town of Clarkdale (Pop. 4,300) is seeking an experienced planning professional who is excited to lead the evolution of our Town’s development by filling the role of Community Development Director. This individual appreciates the uniqueness of a small, rural town and is prepared to engage the public in effective communications towards ongoing community success.

The starting annual pay range is $73,790.29 – $88,558.08, DOQ.  This is a salaried, FLSA exempt position.

Located in central Arizona, Clarkdale is a charming, historic town, on the banks of the Verde River and at the base of Mingus Mountain. Ideally situated above the heat of the desert and below the cold of Arizona’s high country, Clarkdale enjoys a moderate year-round climate at an elevation of 3,500 feet. 

Under general administrative direction of the Town Manager, this department head position
plans, directs, manages and oversees the staff, functions, programs, activities and operations of the Clarkdale Community Development Department. This entails coordinating projects, programs and activities; working with other departments, outside agencies and businesses; providing highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Town Manager, Town Council and Town Boards and Commissions; as well as assisting in addressing Town concerns as a member of the Town’s top leadership team. This position understands public trust and models the highest standards of personal and professional integrity expected of those working in public service. Specific functions comprising the position may vary depending on the priorities and needs of the Town and/or requirements of state law. Work week hours may fluctuate depending on the needs of the organization.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

Essential functions and duties may be modified at any time at management’s discretion. Typical duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Participates in the implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities of the Town and the Community Development Department;
• Assumes full management responsibility of the operations and organization of the Community Development Department;
• Secures and supervises efficient departmental staffing through effective employee training, motivation, support, performance improvements and evaluations;
• Performs long-range, current and economic development planning;
• Participates in the development and implementation of the Town’s General Plan and the Town’s Strategic Plan
• Supervises and participates in the development, administration and monitoring of the department’s operating budget;
• Provides direction and oversight over formulating, modifying and improving activities and processes involved in private development plan review, inspection, and permitting;
• Processes land use applications including annexation, rezoning, subdivision, area plans and master plans; reviews site plans and development agreements to ensure compliance with the Town’s General Plan; forwards to applicable Boards and Commissions and Town Council with recommendations; approves building and occupancy permits; meets with developers, realtors, home builders and the public to provide technical assistance on planning and development projects;
• Assists in the development and implementation of various planning projects such as transportation, land use and control, area and district planning, capital improvements, overlay zones and other planning elements;
• Reviews growth patterns, trends in land use, community needs and other factors in developing recommendations for directing and regulating community development and related services;
•  Communicates, confers and works proactively with the general public, developers, architects, business and organizations, neighborhood associations and agency officials on current or proposed projects, programs, or events;
• Provides direction and oversight over complex and sensitive professional projects, research and analysis;
• Researches, writes and manages applicable grant programs, ensures compliance with related reporting requirements, administers contractual agreements with agencies;
• Composes and presents clear, accurate and comprehensive written and verbal reports, recommendations, press releases, presentations and other communicative outreach;
• Researches, prepares and proposes new or revisions to related Town ordinances and codes;
• Serves as technical advisor to Town Boards and Commissions, Town Council, Town Manager and other Town Departments and members of the public on planning, zoning, plan review, inspections, code enforcement and related matters; interprets ordinances and regulations as they apply to respective areas;
• Responds to and works to resolve citizen inquiries and complaints relating to the department and/or operations of the Town;
• Participates in Town management staff meetings and may represent the Town on various regional and statewide committees or at various organizational meetings;
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as needed or assigned.

Education and/or Experience

Any combination of education and/or experience providing the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for satisfactory job performance.  Minimum requirement is a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, economics, public administration or a related field, a master’s degree is highly desirable; seven (7) years’ direct experience in planning, zoning, development or related field; and at least three (3) years’ experience in a director or similar management/supervisory position.

Special Requirements, Licenses, and Certificates

• Must possess a valid drivers’ license (with the ability to transfer an out-of-state license to Arizona immediately) and maintain an acceptable driving record.
• Must complete online training and testing with National Incident Management System (NIMS) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within six (6) months of hire and maintain current/ongoing certification as needed. 
• AICP certification preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the organization and management principles as applied to the development and administration of a comprehensive community development program;
• Knowledge of or ability to quickly become knowledgeable of the Town’s General Plan and related codes;
• Knowledge of the functions, principles and practices of urban planning growth and development, engineering, plan review and inspections;
• Knowledge of the functions, principles and practices housing, zoning, land use, site planning, historic preservation and economic development;
• Knowledge of pertinent federal, state and local laws, ordinances, codes, statutes, rules, regulations and policies including keeping up to date on recent changes;
• Knowledge of comprehensive budget development, monitoring and administration;
• Skills to use computer hardware and software programs, some being complex including econometric modeling and database management or GIS;
• Skills to work efficiently and meet deadlines on several projects or issues simultaneously;  
• Skills to analyze and interpret research for reports and apply mathematic techniques;
• Ability to keep abreast of recent developments, current literature and sources of information related to municipal planning and administration;
•  Ability to quickly identify problems and offer common sense recommendations and solutions;
• Ability to delegate and direct a variety of work and tasks;
• Ability to set goals, establish procedures, prioritize, strategize, anticipate and effectuate changes as needed;
• Ability to exercise initiative and excel in both team and individual environments;
• Ability to be innovative and detail-oriented while involved in highly visible/controversial projects;
• Ability to communicate clearly whether verbally or in writing with individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds;
• Ability to establish and foster effective working relationships;
• Ability to be flexible in the face of change.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This classification involves work that may require:

• Vision sufficient to read technical, legal and regulatory documents, periodicals, computer screens, computer print outs, business correspondence, audio visual materials, and other documents encountered in the course of work;
• Hearing sufficient to hear conversational levels in person and over the telephone or radio;
• Speech sufficient to make oneself heard and understood in person, in front of groups, in meetings, and over the telephone;
• Mobility sufficient to safely work in office settings and similar environments;
• Dexterity sufficient to safely operate office equipment including computers;
• Strength sufficient to lift, carry and move ten (10) lbs.;
• Endurance sufficient to sit, walk and stand for extended periods, and maintain efficiency throughout the entire work shift and during extended work hours.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is generally performed within an inside office environment, however working in outside weather conditions is not unusual;
• Work may require travel throughout the Town to manage projects, or to attend meetings, training events, etc.;
• The noise level is varied but usual to that of an inside office environment, however outside work can produce varied and potentially loud noise levels particularly when equipment is operating;
• The employee may be required to walk over uneven flooring or outdoor terrain;
• The employee may be required to work outside normally scheduled hours and/or assigned to report to a specific location for training and/or meeting attendance;
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms;
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions and duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and duties.
• The Town of Clarkdale is a drug-free, smoke-free work environment.

SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION AND CLEARING OF A POST OFFER, PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING PROCESS (AT THE TOWN’S EXPENSE) IS MANDATORY, CONSISTING OF DRUG TESTING AND BACKGROUND CHECK. 

THE TOWN OF CLARKDALE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER (EOE).

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.