Director of Planning

Salary See Position Description Location Toledo, OH Job Type Full-Time Job Number 2025-00214 Department Plan Commission Opening Date 09/02/2025 Closing Date 10/3/2025 11:59 PM Eastern Description

Please click to view additional information about the position. The annual salary for this position ranges from $97,672 to $185,269. The starting salary is negotiable based on qualifications.

POSITION SUMMARY: Under administrative direction is responsible for the supervision of all functions performed by the Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commission staff; prepares and maintains the Master Plan for the area, zoning ordinances and subdivision regulations for Toledo and the incorporated and unincorporated areas where required; recommends public improvements to conform to the Master Plan when referrals are made to the Plan Commissions; performs related work as required. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Prepares and maintains Master Plan for Toledo and Lucas County in current status, original zoning ordinances, and recommendations for City of Toledo and various townships within Lucas County having zoning programs and subdivision regulations. Reviews subdivision plan for conformity to Master Plan and regulations prior to action by the Plan Commissions; maintains Master Plan of other incorporated areas in the county. Makes special studies of sections of the area, population growth, industrial area analysis, parks, open spaces, and related areas; maintains minutes of the two (2) Commissions. Works with City Departments in assembling the capital improvements program for City of Toledo. Informs and advises citizens regarding zoning, subdivision, deed transfers of land, and vital data for the community pertinent to planning efforts of individuals, corporations, or governmental agencies. Explains and interprets zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, land use policies, and planning codes to the public in clear, accessible language, ensuring that the public understands how codes apply to their projects, providing transparency, building trust, and supporting compliance. Demonstrates patience, accessibility, and a willingness to assist the public in navigating technical requirements. Enforces the City of Toledo zoning codes, which may include investigating complaints, conducting inspections, issuing fines and citations to ensure compliance. Responsible to Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commission, serving as technical advisor to the Commission on area planning and development. Designs standards for overall accountability and implements standard practices necessary to determine the extent to which the mission and goals of the Department of Plan Commission are achieved. Ensures that Department expenditures correspond to budget schedule. Attends City Council, Development Commission, and other board/commission/panel meetings and takes part in discussions related to the activities of the Plan Commission. Ensures that the Department follows all legal, procedural, and professional requirements in the staffing and management of the division's assigned boards, commissions, and panels. Analyzes information needed to ensure conformity of procedures to the current applicable standards for the operation of the Division and the administration of the program under its control. Directly manages Department projects and may serve as principal planner on Department projects as required. Attends meetings as assigned; prepares and presents reports and materials as appropriate. Manages and supervises department to achieve goals within available resources. Develops program goals and objectives. Plans and organizes workloads and staff assignments. Trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned staff. Reviews progress and directs changes as needed. Develops and implements departmental policies, procedures, and programs; makes policy recommendations. Provides leadership and direction of short and long-range plans. Gathers, interprets, and prepares data for studies, reports, and recommendations. Coordinates department activities with other departments and agencies as needed. Assures that assigned areas of responsibility are performed within budget. Develops innovative approaches to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of department’s functions, and the delivery of services. Ensures high quality customer service. Accepts full management responsibility for all Department of Plan Commission activities and services. Presents, justifies, and defends departmental programs, operations, and activities; negotiates and resolves controversial department issues. Authorizes all personnel actions within the Department of Plan Commission, provides or coordinates staff training; identifies and resolves staff deficiencies; executes discipline and/or termination procedures. May enter into contracts on behalf of the City. Perform other duties as assigned. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of: The history and objectives of neighborhood planning and urban design principles and practices, including pertinent federal, state, and municipal laws and regulations. Ordinances, laws, and statutes pertaining to subdivisions, deed transfers, and zoning Zoning code enforcement procedures, including legal processes, citations, and fines. Land use law and regulations. Citizen and business involvement and consensus-building practices, procedures, and guidelines. Federal, state, county, and city regulations affecting economic development activities. Principles, practices, and techniques of public service administration. Budget preparation and administration. Principles of management, supervision, training, and performance evaluation. Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations, including personnel practices and procedures. Project Management principles, concepts, and practices. Labor management agreements. Basic English grammar, usage, and spelling. Research methods; report preparation techniques. Skills: Strong leadership. Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution. Excellent oral communications. Public speaking. Excellent writing skills. Excellent attention to detail. High level of personal and professional integrity A customer service orientation. Must be an excellent communicator and team builder. Ability to: Engage with community, establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, government officials, business owners, and the general public. Think strategically in both the short and long term. Provide proactive communications. Be flexible and adaptable. Effectively plan, organize, schedule, and prioritize work assignments and tasks. Lead staff and employees to effectively carry out critical change management initiatives. Develop and administer departmental goals, objectives, and procedures. Analyze and assess programs, policies, and operational needs, and make appropriate adjustments. Analyze and resolve unusual and difficult problems. Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of lower-level staff. Think strategically, identify issues, analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Work effectively in a political environment without becoming involved in politics. Speak in public to diverse groups. Implement large, complex projects. Prepare clear and concise reports. Interpret, explain, and apply pertinent City, state, and federal laws, regulations, ordinances, policies and procedures. Interpret and apply rules of contract compliance. Investigate zoning violations, issue fines and citations, and pursue enforcement actions in accordance with City ordinances. Demonstrate a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the department and through its work Maintain confidentiality of City information. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described within this job description must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In this position, the employee will frequently stand, walk and sit. The employee will frequently write. Speaking and listening are constant essential functions of this position. This position will occasionally require the employee to drive a personal and company owned vehicle. This position will occasionally require hours of work outside the normal work week and occasionally on weekends.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment described within this job description will be encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee will work indoors frequently, and occasional travel to various worksites will be required. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND CERTIFICATIONS: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, or a related field. Five (5) years of experience in the field of planning and code enforcement activities, of which two (2) years must have been in the supervision of planning activities as well as supervision of planning staff. Must possess a valid driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record. Must meet and maintain qualifications for driving at all times and as a continued condition of employment. PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND CERTIFICATIONS: A master’s degree in planning or public administration is preferred, but not required. NOTE: The Toledo Municipal Code or other regulations may contain specific requirements for the above position assignments. The City of Toledo provides excellent health and retirement benefits for its employees. Health Insurance The City of Toledo is a self-funded medical plan provider that offers a broad network of health services options for its employees. The City also offers a multi-tiered prescription drug plan and dental and vision care services.Employees are required to pay a monthly premium depending on the employee’s selection of single, single plus one, or family coverage. Coverage is also afforded for qualifying domestic partners, depending on the employee’s bargaining unit. Monthly co-premiums are determined by collective bargaining agreement or Municipal Code. Group Life Insurance City employees are covered by a group life insurance plan depending on collective bargaining agreement or Municipal Code. Ohio Public Employees Retirement Plan  The City is a member of the Ohio Public Employees Retirement Plan (OPERS). All employees who are paid in whole or in part by the state of Ohio, a county, municipality, or any other political subdivision of state or local government in Ohio must become members of OPERS unless they are covered by another state retirement system in Ohio.

OPERS is a pension plan providing fixed retirement benefits every month based on a formula that rewards years of service. The City contributes 14.00% of the employee’s annual base salary and employees contribute 10.00% of their annual base salary.For more information about OPERS, click on this link: Deferred Compensation & 401(K)  The City of Toledo offers a voluntary governmental 457(b) deferred compensation plan, which is a retirement savings plan that allows eligible employees to supplement any existing retirement/pension benefits by saving and investing pre-tax dollars through salary deferral.Contributions and any earnings are tax-deferred (both federal and state income taxes) until money is withdrawn. Withdrawals are taxed at ordinary income levels. For more information about the Ohio Deferred Compensation click on this link: 401(k)  The City of Toledo offers a voluntary pre-tax savings contributions retirement plan. The plan is commonly referred to as a 401(k). Under the 401(k) plan, an employee’s retirement savings contributions are deducted from the employee’s paycheck before taxation. The City does not make contributions on the employee’s behalf. (Contributions are tax-deferred until withdrawn during retirement). Annual contributions to the 401(k) plan are limited to a maximum pre-tax annual contribution, as established by Internal Revenue Service regulations. Roth 401(k) The City of Toledo also offers a voluntary post-tax savings contributions retirement plan. This plan is commonly referred to as a Roth 401(k) Plan. Under a Roth 401(k) Plan, an employee’s retirement savings contributions are deducted from the employee’s paycheck on a post-tax basis. Annual contributions to the Roth 401(k) plan are limited to a maximum post-tax annual contribution, as established by the Internal Revenue Service.