Position Description
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Position Title: Assistant Director of Planning
Department/Division: City Administration / Planning Services
Reports To: Director of Planning
Direct Supervision: Planner I, II, Senior
Pay Grade: 120
Position Type: Full Time
FLSA Status: Exempt
EEO Code: 1 - First/Mid -Level Officials and Officers
Technology Category : Mobile Device: Y
Remote Access: Y Category B
Exposure Category: Category 3 NIMS Classification:
Safety Sensitive: N Emergency Response: N
Last Modified: May 13, 2025
Summary/Objective
The Assistant Director of Planning oversees the day -to-day operations of the Planning Services
Department. Responsibilities include managing and directing the review of site plans, rezoning
requests, subdivision plats, special use permits, and other departmental plans. This position is
also responsible for project management and overseeing professional planning staff.
Essential Functions / Responsibilities
- Oversee and direct the development review and approval process, including coordinating
pre-application meetings and assigning applications to staff, staff review, and preparation
of staff reports for the Planning Commission to ensure conformity with the adopted rules
and regulations of the City of Leawood's Development Ordinance, codes, policies, and
guidelines.
- Provide oversite for department review process. Responsible for ensuring all planning-
related projects, applications, and initiatives are on track, ensuring deadlines are met, proactively identifying and addressing potential roadblocks
- and notifying necessary
internal and external departments and agencies. Keeps the Director of Planning, City Administration, and Planning Commission informed of necessary project timelines or delays.
- Work with the City's Communications division to coordinate all project -related external
and internal communications, including press releases and the city's social media pages
and website.
- Provide oversight in reviewing all development applications to ensure conformity with the
principles of good planning and land use practices and compliance with the State
Statutes and City of Leawood's Development Ordinance, codes, policies, and guidelines.
- Coordinat e and manag e the Comprehensive Plan and Development Ordinance,
including updates, amendments, and special projects.
Position Description
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- Oversee and direct the initiation and updating of the city's long -range planning and
private land use, including initial project review and appeal processes to ensure the City's
future growth and development needs are adequately met.
- Review public records for ownership and zoning concerns for compliance with
ordinances.
- Provide oversight for the preparation, distribution, review, and presentation of staff
reports to the Planning Commission and the Governing Body. Required to attend all
meetings, act as the main point of contact, and provide administrative support. May
attend Governing Body meetings as necessary to present staff and Commission
recommendations.
- Assist the Director of Planning in preparing the Planning Division budget. Work with the
Director of Planning to develop and implement department goals, objectives, policy, and
procedures and formulate short -term and long -term development and improvement
programs.
- Responsible for tracking all active planning cases and related files on City Council and
Committee -related approved agenda items, resolutions, and projects. Keeps abreast of
changes to related agenda items, resolutions, and projects and updates files accordingly.
- Responsible for hiring, supervising, training, and mentoring the Planners. Conducts
employee performance appraisals, provides development opportunities and performance
improvement needs, and handles disciplinary actions.
- Respond to inquiries from the development community and members of the public
regarding land use applications, ordinances, and related planning issues. Interprets city
policies, procedures, and ordinances in a manner that is understandable to the
requestor's needs .
- Represent the City and Planning Department on various internal and external
committees.
- Assume the responsibilities of the Director of Planning in their absence.
- Keep abreast of planning and community development best practices through
publications, seminars/workshops, conferences, and professional associations.
- May be asked to perform other duties that are not listed but are essential to the job .
Minimum Qualifications / Requirements
- Ability to read, write, and understand the English language with proper spelling and
grammar to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Ability to process, prioritize , and organize large and varying amounts of information with
effective results.
- Ability to make rational decisions efficiently during variable and sometimes stressful
conditions, including the ability to calmly interact with the public and other City personnel.
- Ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines with effective results.
- Ability to avoid safety hazards.
- Ability to work independently, as part of a team , and/or with the public.
- Ability to protect and maintain confidentiality of information.
- Ability to understand the City's permit tracking software system.
- Ability to understand the City's Development Ordinance.
- Ability to learn and understand the City's financial and budget ing software.
Position Description
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- Proficient in Adobe Create Suite and Sketchup.
- Knowledge of applicable state statues and local ordinances, codes, and regulations
pertaining to planning, zoning and code enforcement.
- Proficient in project management.
- Proficient in the basic principles and practices of urban and regional planning.
- Proficient in the use of geographical information systems (GIS) .
- Proficient in map reading, legal descriptions, topography, and other features of technical
plans and plats.
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite .
- Standard office procedures, systems and practices including the use of a computer.
Education, Training, and Certification Requirements
- Must have a Bachelor's degree in Planning, Landscape Architecture, Architecture or
related field.
- A Master's degree in Planning, Landscape Architecture, Architecture or related field
would substitute for one (1) year of experience.
- Must have a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in planning or community
development in a municipality.
- Must have a minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience.
- Must have and maintain Certified Professional Planner designation through the American
Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
- Completion of NIMS requirements within one (1) year of hire date.
- Must possess a valid driver's license and acceptable driving record per the City's Use of
Vehicles for City Business policy throughout employment with the City.
Post -Offer Testing / On -Going Standards
Post -
Offer On-
Going
Aptitude Assessment / Skills
Testing
Background Investigation X
Fingerprinting
Credit Report Review
Drug Screening / Breath Alcohol
Testing X
Medical Evaluation / Essential
Functions X
DOT Covered Testing
Motor Vehicle Records Search X X
Polygraph Examination
Psychological Evaluation
General Aptitudes and Physical Requirements
Position Description
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The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that we identify the general aptitudes and physical
requirements needed to perform the position listed above. Individuals in this position must be
able to perform all essential functions unaided or with reasonable accommodation.
I. Mental Abilities.
General learning ability. The ability to "catch on" or understand instructions and
underlying principles.
Ability to understand and follow oral instruction
Ability to understand and follow written instruction
Ability to guide and/or give instructions
Ability to make decisions in accordance with established procedures and policies
Not essential to job function
II. Verbal Abilities.
Ability to understand meanings of words and ideas associated with them to use them
effectively. To comprehend language, to understand relationships between words, and
to understand meanings of whole sentences and paragraphs. To present information or
ideas clearly.
a. Speaking / Talking
Answering telephone, radio, or switchboard
Communicating with City officials
Communicating with general public
Communicating with vendors
Communicating with supervisors and/or with other employees
Communicating with others in departmental operations
Not essential to job function
b. Hearing / Listening
For communication with City officials, public, vendors, supervisors, and/or other
employees
Not essential to job function
c. Reading (ability to read and understand text)
Essential to job function
Not essential to job function
III. Numerical
Ability to perform arithmetic operations quickly and accurately.
Ability to perform accurate two -digit calculations
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Ability to perform accurate calculations aided by a calculator, adding machine, or
measurement device
Not essential to job function
IV. Spatial Abilities
Ability to comprehend forms in space and understand relationships of plan and solid
objects. May be used in such tasks as blue print reading and in solving geometry
problems . Frequently described as the ability to "visualize" objects of two or three
dimensions, or to think visually of geometric forms.
Essential to job function
Not essential to job function
V. Motor Coordination
Ability to coordinate eyes and hands or fingers rapidly and accurately in making precise
movements with speed. Ability to make a movement response accurately and quickly.
a. Manual Dexterity
Ability to move the hands easily and skillfully. To work with the hands in placing and turning motions.
Use a telephone
Use switchboard
Use radio/console
Use a calculator
Use a copy machine
Manipulate computer keyboard and mouse
Use a postage machine
Use hand tools
Use power tools
Other:
Not essential to job function
b. Finger Dexterity
Ability to move the fingers and manipulate small objects with the fingers rapidly or
accurately. For example: electrical wiring.
Essential to job function
Not essential to job function
Explain: __
VI. Physical Demands
Position Description
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a. Strength
The quality, state, or property of being strong. The power to withstand strain, force,
or stress
Ability to manipulate materials and/or
equipment ( lbs.) Frequency