JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Planning is a professional management position responsible for administering, directing, and supervising the operations, personnel, programs, and budget of the Planning Department for the Town of Elkton. The Director provides leadership in the areas of land use planning, zoning administration, community development, environmental stewardship, and regulatory compliance.

The Director serves as staff liaison to the Mayor and Commissioners, the Planning Commission, Board of Appeals, the Historic District Commission, and other boards, committees, and regional agencies as assigned. The position works collaboratively with elected officials, department heads, developers, consultants, regulatory agencies, and the public to guide responsible growth and redevelopment consistent with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan and community goals.  The position functions as the Town’s primary planning official and represents the Town in regional, state, and intergovernmental planning matters.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Administers and oversees implementation of the Town Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, Critical Area Program, Forest Conservation regulations, floodplain management requirements, and other applicable federal, state, county, and local land use regulations.
• Serves as the Town’s primary land use policy advisor, providing technical guidance and recommendations to the Mayor and Board of Commissioners.
• Develops, recommends, and implements short- and long-range planning initiatives, policies, programs, and strategic objectives.
• Researches, prepares, and coordinates updates and amendments to the Comprehensive Plan, zoning regulations, subdivision regulations, Critical Area Program, and related ordinances and policies.
• Reviews development, redevelopment, subdivision, site plan, annexation, and zoning applications for compliance with applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, and adopted planning policies, and presents findings to the Planning Commission and elected officials as required.
• Oversees permitting coordination and technical review processes to ensure consistency between approved plans, zoning requirements, and engineering standards.
• Directs coordination with developers, engineers, attorneys, and applicants to ensure timely and compliant development review processes.
• Oversees consultant procurement and management, including preparation of requests for proposals (RFPs), contract administration, and performance oversight.
• Directs enforcement activities related to zoning, Critical Area, Forest Conservation, and other land use violations, including field inspections and complaint investigations.
• Oversees grant identification, application, administration, and compliance for federal, state, and private funding sources supporting planning, infrastructure, historic preservation, and community development initiatives.
• Prepares and administers the annual departmental budget and provides ongoing financial oversight, including expenditures, billing, invoicing, development fee tracking, and reconciliation.
• Represents the Town at regional and intergovernmental forums, including WILMAPCO Technical Advisory Committee meetings, MDOT coordination meetings, Cecil County Council hearings on annexations, and other related meetings to ensure coordination and alignment with external agencies and regulatory partners.
• Coordinates and prioritizes development application workflow to ensure efficient processing, tracking, distribution, monitoring progress and timely completion of reviews across internal and external reviewers.
• Interprets and applies land use regulations, policies, and procedures, and provides guidance to staff, applicants, elected officials, and the public.
• Coordinates with Town consulting engineers and technical staff to evaluate infrastructure capacity, including water and sewer systems, for proposed development.
• Presents development applications, planning studies, and policy recommendations to the Mayor and Commissioners, Planning Commission, Board of Appeals, and other public bodies as required.
• Coordinates development review activities with local, county, state, and federal agencies and consolidates agency review comments.
• Provides technical assistance and guidance to citizens, property owners, developers, consultants, businesses, and staff regarding land use regulations, zoning requirements, permitting processes, and development procedures.
• Directs the preparation of meeting agendas, public notices, resolutions, reports, staff recommendations, and related documentation for Planning Commission and public hearings in accordance with legal requirements.
• Directs and manages the daily operations, personnel, and activities of the Planning Department.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with Town policies, personnel regulations, and applicable employment laws.
• Works collaboratively with Town departments to ensure alignment of planning activities with broader municipal goals, capital planning, and service delivery objectives.
• Attends evening meetings, public hearings, workshops, conferences, and professional development activities as required.
• Maintains current knowledge of planning trends, land use law, economic development. practices, environmental regulations, and municipal planning best practices.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Town Administrator.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of urban and regional planning, zoning administration, growth management, and community development.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, regulations, and policies governing land use, environmental protection, development review, and municipal planning.
• Thorough knowledge of Maryland land use law, including Critical Area regulations, Forest Conservation Act, environmental regulations, floodplain management, tidal and non-tidal wetlands regulations, brownfields redevelopment and historic preservation requirements, etc.
• Ability to interpret, apply, and enforce planning regulations, ordinances, policies, and technical standards in a fair, consistent, and professional manner.
• Ability to analyze complex planning and development proposals and prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports and recommendations.
• Ability to effectively present technical information to elected officials, boards, developers, consultants, staff, and the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with government officials, employees, developers, consultants, regulatory agencies, and the general public.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while meeting deadlines and maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to supervise, motivate, and evaluate employees effectively.
• Ability to prepare, administer, and monitor departmental budgets and grants.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Geography, Public Administration, Environmental Planning, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible professional planning experience, preferably within municipal or county government, including supervisory experience.
• Experience in zoning administration, development review, comprehensive planning, grant administration, contract management, intergovernmental coordination, and project management is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), permitting software, and planning-related technology is preferred.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is preferred.
• Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work is generally performed in an office environment with occasional field inspections and site visits conducted outdoors in varying weather conditions. The position may require standing, walking, bending, lifting light objects, and operating a motor vehicle. Attendance at evening meetings and public hearings is regularly required.

Compensation Range:
$93,000 to $125,000 annually (Depending on experience and Credentials)

Other Compensation:

• Bonuses and Awards
• Excellent benefits package available for full time employees:
• Health benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, EAP & Supplemental Plans)
• Employer covered LTD, Life Insurance & AD&D
• Accrued vacation & sick hours, personal hours, and 12 paid holidays.
• 401a Retirement Plan
• 457 & Roth 457 (Employee contribution)