Chief Planner

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Job Summary

Manages a major section comprised of urban planning professionals who conduct a variety of planning studies in assigned specialty areas in order to accurately and efficiently develop planning policies and recommendations.

The Planning & Urban Design Chief Planner (Historic Preservation) provides strategic direction and leadership to a team of historic preservation professionals with the management and implementation of the Dallas Historic Preservation Program including research, design review, and documentation of historic properties and districts. It will manage preliminary review and assessment of Certificate of Appropriateness applications and will provide administrative support to the activities of the Landmark Commission, various Historic District, and Ad Hoc Committees, and will manage the Historic Preservation Tax Exemption Program. The Chief Planner will lead and collaborate with staff to develop and update policies, ordinances, studies, and historic preservation plans ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal preservation laws and regulations.

This position will advocate for and work closely with the local preservation community to identify, document, and designate historic properties and districts and will manage grants and funding opportunities for preservation studies, surveys, and projects working closely with other City Departments on projects impacting historic resources. The Chief Planner will also conduct research and education initiatives that promote awareness and support of historic preservation efforts, facilitate public meetings and workshops, and work closely with property owners, developers, and stakeholders.

Preference will be given to candidates who have demonstrated progressive experience in historic preservation or a related field. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of state, federal, and general historic preservation principles, practices, and regulations and will possess exceptional leadership skills, the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, and have a passion for creating vibrant, inclusive, and resilient places.

The ideal candidate will also be a visionary leader with a passion for preserving the City’s heritage while fostering a dynamic and sustainable urban environment and will possess the expertise to navigate complex regulatory landscapes to build strong partnerships and results.

Job Description

Overview

The Chief Planner manages, leads, directs, and oversees urban planning professionals performing urban research and conducting planning studies, developing planning policies and recommendations, reviewing development proposals for consistency with city goals, and coordinating with internal departments and external agencies. Ensures the effective development, coordination, and implementation of the City's Comprehensive Plan.

Essential Functions

1 Develops and presents land use, urban design, and historic preservation recommendations by evaluating demographic, zoning, economic, geographic, and infrastructure information; reviews, evaluates, and checks architectural, landscape, and urban planning plans for compliance with ordinance standards and leads the City's urban design efforts.

2 Manages, directs, oversees, and coordinates the activities of a professional staff responsible for zoning, land use implementation, urban design, historic preservation, and other planning activities in order to make recommendations to department management on those issues; processes and assigns work load, monitors completion, and manages performance evaluations and feedback; manages budget, acquisitions, annual department projections, and general workplan objectives.

3 Reviews, evaluates, and monitors work of subordinates to ensure work is done accurately and efficiently in accordance with professional, city, state, and federal standards; organizes and coordinates learning and training opportunities for the staff through various means; participates in hiring and on-boarding process in collaboration with Human Resources.

4 Conducts research and presents data, findings, and recommendations to City Plan Commission, Landmark Commission, Board of Adjustment, and/or other groups; develops, researches, analyzes and leads urban design staff in the production of graphic illustrations, diagrams, plans, renderings, data, materials, reports and booklets to support meetings, concepts, guidelines, special infrastructure projects, community visions, and plans.

5 Manages urban design studies and develops standards for private and/or public sector properties; researches best practices related to planning and policy development and implements new practices based on findings;

6 Provides information in writing, over the phone, and in public or private meetings in response to City Council, City Manager's Office, outside agency, and citizens' requests;

7 Coordinates planning project activities with neighborhood associations, business owners, elected/appointed officials, and other City departments; oversees all development review and partners with other agencies, departments, and outside sources to advance projects and ensure accuracy of plans and specifications.

8 Administers the zoning process, street name changes, Special Provision Sign District requests, Dallas Development Code amendments, Board of Adjustment and Walker Consent Decree-related activities; oversees geographic information systems data resources for the department and maintains the mapping integrity and service of the City.

9 Provides thoroughfare plan amendment analysis’s, including meeting with developers and property owners, preparing documents, scheduling public hearings, sending property owner notifications, and updating map changes.

10 Coordinates zoning and planning processes to ensure that public hearing requirements are met in accordance with state law and city codes; facilitates and manages the Zoning Ordinance Advisory Committee and ensures development code updates are presented.

11 Performs any and all other work as needed or assigned.

Knowledge and Skills

1 Thorough knowledge of principles, methods and techniques of urban planning.

2 Thorough knowledge of personnel and administrative procedures.

3 Knowledge of City development and building codes.

4 Ability to manage, plan and organize work for professional personnel involved in developing and administering a master plan for a major municipality.

5 Ability to manage multiple projects.

6 Ability to make presentations to various groups.

7 Ability to speak publicly and make strong presentations.

8 Ability to lead, manage, oversee, and train subordinate staff.

9 Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

10 Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION

• Master's degree in Historic Preservation, Planning, Urban Studies/Design, Architecture, Public Administration, Sociology, Geography, Engineering, or related field.

EXPERIENCE

• Six (6) years professional level experience in historic preservation, planning, urban planning, architecture, zoning, public administration.

AND

• Three (3) years of lead work, project management, or supervisory experience. (This experience may be included in the required experience listed above.)

EQUIVALENCY

• Bachelor's degree (or higher) in a specified field plus eight (8) year of the required experience including three (3) years of lead work, project management, or supervisory experience will meet the education and experience requirements.
• Bachelor's degree (or higher) in a non-specified field plus ten (10) years of the required experience including three (3) years of lead work, project management, or supervisory experience will meet the education and experience requirements.

LICENSE and/or CERTIFICATION

• Valid driver's license and good driving record

PREFERENCES

The following certifications are a plus.

• American Institute of Architects (AIA),
• Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU),
• American Planning Association (APA),
• Society of Landscape Architecture (ASLA) or LEED

Closing Date: 07/11/24

Salary Range

$77,264.03 - $96,580.04

The salary listed on this job posting is the starting salary range; amount offered will depend upon qualifications.

City of Dallas is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of its workforce.