Director of Planning & Development

TOWN OF KILLINGLY NOTICE OF OPEN POSITION DIRECTOR OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

The Director of Planning & Development is responsible for the general management of Planning and Development office staff, and the Building Safety and Inspection office staff. The Director works under the general supervision of the Town Manager. This position is a non-union position. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to - Plans, organizes, supervises, and directs comprehensive planning and development programs, Plan of Conservation and Development, Affordable Housing Plan, etc. Participate in team based municipal development projects through coordination with other municipal, regional, and state agencies as needed. Responsible for providing technical assistance to the Planning and Zoning Commission, other departments, the Town Manager, the Town Council, and the public. Oversight of P&D staff work with various commissions;

ZBA, IWWC, AG

COMM, Conservation, etc. Supervises and oversees land use enforcement procedures and policies and oversees complaint resolution. Administrative coordination of code compliance and enforcement staff. Finally, preparation and administration of P&D department budget. Minimum Required Qualifications - Must possess comprehensive knowledge of modern community planning practices and extensive knowledge of municipal planning, zoning, wetlands, subdivision regulations, and state statutes. a) Bachelor's degree in environmental or urban planning, geography or related field required. b) Master's degree in community planning or related field preferred. c) Must have more than five (5) years of municipal land use experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. d) One or more of the following certifications is preferred: AICP, CAZEO, and the following DEEP Certificates, Municipal Inland Wetlands Agency Comprehensive Training, and the Aquifer Protection Area Program Technical Training Course. If applicants do not have such certifications, applicants must be willing to obtain the certifications within 3 years, unless another time frame is agreed to. Interested Candidates - The salary range for this position is $88,000 to $102,000 with comprehensive benefits. Candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, and completed application form to the Town Manager's Office, at 172 Main Street, Killingly, CT 06239 or e-mail to employment@killinglyct.gov. Applications must be received before the end of business (5:00PM) on Monday, August 3, 2026. A detailed job description may be found on the Town of Killingly website at www.killinglyct.gov under Employment Opportunities .

EOE / AA / M / F / D / V

Detailed Job Description:

Position Purpose:

The purposes of this position are: 1) to develop, administer and supervise a comprehensive program of planning, zoning, wetlands, aquifer, natural resources and building safety & inspections services; 2) provide technical advice and policy recommendations on matters related to various land use items, as stated above, to various town boards and commissions, other town staff, and the public; 3) responsible for maintaining and improving upon the efficiency and effectiveness of all areas under his/her direction and control, 4) performs a wide variety of routine and special professional and managerial responsibilities.

Supervision:

Supervision Received :

Works under the general direction of the Town Manager. Work is performed in accordance with the standards, policies, and administrative procedures of state statutes, and municipal planning, zoning, wetlands, and aquifer regulations.

Supervision Given:

Oversees the work of a department of nine (9) people, divided into the Planning & Development Office and the Building Safety & Inspections Office. Planning & Development consists of 1) Planner; 2) Assistant Planner; 3) Administrative Secretary. Building Safety & Inspections consists of 1) Fire Marshal; 2) Two Assistant Fire Marshals; 3) Building Official; 4) Assistant Building Official; 5) Administrative Secretary. The supervision given to the Building Safety & Inspections Office is one of general oversight.

Job Environment:

Most work is performed in a moderately noisy office. Occasionally work is performed outdoors, for example inspection of properties for potential development, or inspections of the property throughout the development process. Occasionally required to drive a town vehicle under possible adverse weather conditions, including extreme hot and extreme cold. Can be exposed to hazardous conditions associated with construction sites or undeveloped parcels. During the workday, he / she can make frequent and periodic contact with other municipal departments, regional organizations, state agencies, professional organizations, developers, contractors, attorneys, engineers, soil scientists, board / commission members, and the public. The Director has access to confidential department information such as personnel matters, knowledge of potential development projects and developers, and some town wide information, which requires the application of appropriate judgment, the highest discretion and professional protocols and ethics. The Director is expected to use such items as computers, copiers, and other standard office equipment throughout the day. The Director is expected to use software ranging including Word and Excel and should be familiar with Geographic Information Systems, permit tracking software, and cartographic mapping tools.

Essential Job Functions:

( The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the diverse types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position .)

• Performs a wide variety of routine and special professional and managerial responsibilities.
• Develops, administers, and supervises a comprehensive program of planning, zoning, wetlands, aquifer, natural resources and building safety & inspections services.
• Provides technical advice and policy recommendations on matters related to various land use items to various town boards and commissions, other town staff, and the public.
• Responsible for maintaining and improving upon the efficiency and effectiveness of all areas under his/her direction and control.
• Works to maintain due process and fundamental fairness for all land use applications.
• Plans, supervises, and coordinates the review and updating of the Town's Plan of Conservation and Development, Housing Plan, other town plans, land use regulations (zoning, subdivision, wetlands, and aquifer), and the Town's GIS mapping system.
• Coordinates the development processes with municipal, regional, and state agencies as required; makes recommendations about development processes.
• Participates in team-based municipal development projects through coordination with other municipal and regional agencies as needed.
• Provides technical assistance to the Planning and Zoning Commission, other boards and commissions, other departments, and the Town Council.
• Oversees staff work with the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Agricultural Commission, Conservation Commission, Open Space Land Acquisition, and other boards and commissions, as necessary.
• Administers and oversees land use enforcement procedures and policies; manages complaint resolution.
• Develops, identifies, evaluates and revises permitting procedures for improvement and the smooth flow of development / construction projects, no matter the size.
• Prepares and administers department budgets; and supervises and administers appropriate grants.
• Hires staff for the department; manages various staff issues, vacation time requests, and timecards.
• Disseminates land use regulations to applicants; assists applicants with meeting regulations requirements; and assists customers at counter.
• Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as a situation dictates.
• Performs zoning enforcement activities in the absence of the Zoning Enforcement Officer; fills in for Inland Wetlands Agent in his/her absence.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

A bachelor's degree in environmental planning, urban planning, geography, or related field is required. A master's degree in community planning or related field is preferred. Must have more than five (5) years of municipal land use experience or any equivalent combination of education and experience. One or more of the following certifications is preferred - American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Connecticut Association of Zoning Enforcement Officers (CAZEO), Wetlands Authorized Agent. Must have, and maintain, a valid motor vehicle operator's license. The Director may NOT engage in or otherwise provide any commercial services for or on behalf of any developer, development project, or development contractor while in the Town's employment. Knowledge - Must have a comprehensive knowledge of modern community planning practices, a thorough knowledge of state and regional agencies, knowledge of land use laws and principles, knowledge of regulations for planning, zoning and wetlands, map and site plan analysis, vegetation identification, and a working knowledge of GIS systems and appropriate computerized systems. Ability - Ability to oversee and maintain detailed and accurate records using data bases; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with municipal officials, regional and state agencies, developers and the public; ability to read maps; ability to use GIS programs; ability to develop statistics; ability to manage multiple priorities; ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; ability to work in inclement weather; ability to use independent judgment and discretion; and finally the ability to encourage and coordinate working relationships between staff and various departments. Skill - Excellent verbal and written communication skills; supervisory skills; skill with computers, especially database and GIS systems; skill in using the above-mentioned tools.

Physical and Mental Requirements :

The work is primarily of an intellectual nature but requires a variety of physical capabilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, use hands, talk, and hear. The employee will also need to walk, stand, kneel, manage objects, and reach with hands and arms. Occasionally, the employee may be exposed to mechanical parts or uneven terrain at construction sites or undeveloped land. The employee occasionally works outside in all types of weather conditions conducting property inspections. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, peripheral and color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. This position requires the ability to operate a keyboard and calculator. The employee must be able to hear normal sounds, distinguish sound as voice patterns, and communicate through human speech using American English. ( This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee. It is used as a guide for personnel actions and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. )

Pay:

$88,000.00 - $102,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person