Details
02/22/2022
Community and Development Director
Hopkinsville-Christian County Planning Commission dba CDS
Pay range: 115,000 - 125,000
Hopkinsville-Christian County Planning Commission is seeking a Community and Development Director to join the Team. Hopkinsville, KY is located on serene, rolling farmland in southwest Kentucky near the Tennessee border. With scenic vistas and friendly faces, Hopkinsville embraces the essence of rural western Kentucky. The seat of Christian County, Hopkinsville is the 6th largest city in Kentucky with a population of around 33,000. Hopkinsville offers a mild climate with four distinctly beautiful seasons. Christian County is an agricultural-based community and has a significant industrial presence, as well. Nestled between the recreational oasis of Land Between the Lakes, and just an hour’s drive to Nashville, TN, Hopkinsville has a little something to offer everyone. The Community Development Director is under the direct supervision of the Community and Development Services Board. The Director performs highly professional planning, management, and community development work. This board makes recommendations to the City Council and Fiscal Court regarding public projects as well as commercial, industrial, residential and recreational development. The Board is comprised of 12 members appointed representing the County and Cities. The Community and Development Services Agency is comprised of 20 employees with a budget of $1,954,201 serving the cities and county alike.
Find out details about the position by reviewing the recruitment brochure at www.mercergroupassociates.com
The ideal candidate will be a professional Community and Development Services Director who is a team player and has a proven record successfully leading planning, zoning, code enforcement, and stormwater functions within a public/governmental agency/organization. The new Director must be an innovative thinker who can articulate a clear vision and develop a culture, within CDS, that embraces emerging trends and planning best practices while focusing on customer service. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate effective performance through clear, concise communication; collaboration; proper allocation and utilization of resources; sound impartial decision-making and accountability. Must have a thorough understanding and knowledge of planning, zoning, code enforcement, land use principles, grants programs and contract oversight, including the interpretation and implementation of laws, code, rules, and regulations. Must be skilled in providing positive, solutions-oriented, and effective recommendations for development and redevelopment to meet the needs of the community. The ability to identify and implement new and innovative approaches is an important qualification expected. This position requires promoting a culture of teamwork by treating staff, stakeholders, and developers with respect and dignity and must have outstanding communication skills with the ability to engage with diverse groups. Candidates should possess highly developed interpersonal, active listening skills and the ability to build trust with the City and County Elected Officials, City and County employees and the general public.
Minimum qualifications for the Planning & Development Director include:
• A bachelor's degree in planning, public administration, business administration or related degree from an accredited university is required. A master’s degree is preferred.
• A minimum of five years of progressive responsibility, including supervisory and/or management experience, in urban/regional planning, community development, economic development, or zoning/code enforcement or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this job is required.
• AICP or other planning/development certifications are desired and will be noted during the vetting process as an indication of commitment to continued professional development.
• Five years supervisory experience is required.
Compensation & Benefits:
The expected starting salary for this position DOQ (depending on qualifications) is in the range of $115,000 - $125,000 with a very comprehensive benefits package including:
• Health, dental and vision insurance
• $10,000 life insurance policy
• Excellent Tuition Assistance program for graduate level courses
• CERS Retirement System (employee contribution 6%)
• Paid time off (personal time, vacation and holidays)
• Relocation assistance negotiable
How to Apply
Interested candidates must submit by email a cover letter, resume, at least five job related references (with email and phone numbers), as well as salary history no later than March 18, 2022: Lisa Ward, Senior Associate, Mercer Group Associates, at lisaward912@gmail.com. Any questions please call 706-983-9326. Interviews are expected to be conducted in late April 2022.
