CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT LIAISON
Category: Full-Time
Status: Open
Hourly: Min $25.389 - Mid $31.736
Published: October 13, 2026
Closing: Until Filled DEFINITION
Serves as the primary liaison and advocate for applicants, developers, property owners, business owners, consultants, and residents navigating the City's development review and permitting processes. Coordinates and facilitates development projects through all phases of review, providing a high level of customer service. Acts as a central point of contact and "development concierge" for projects, coordinating communication between applicants and City departments, identifying potential issues early in the review process, facilitating timely resolution of development-related concerns, and promoting a transparent, efficient, and customer-focused development experience. Provides professional-level support to the Director of Planning and Development.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives supervision from the Engineering Manager with additional assistance from the Chief Building Official.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Serve as the primary point of contact for development applicants, property owners, business owners, engineers, architects, contractors, and consultants regarding development-related projects.
- Coordinate and facilitate development projects through the Development Review Process.
- Manage and optimize workflow processes within the Enterprise Permitting & Licensing system, identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing updates to increase operational efficiency and effectiveness.
- Guide applicants through applicable development regulations, permitting requirements, review procedures, timelines, and approval processes.
- Monitor project status and proactively communicate review comments, milestones, deadlines, and approval requirements to applicants and stakeholders.
- Act as an ombudsman by identifying barriers to project completion and facilitating solutions between applicants and City departments.
- Identify opportunities to improve development review processes, increase efficiency, and enhance customer experience.
- Assist with special projects, process improvement initiatives, ordinance updates, and departmental strategic objectives.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
For indefinite periods of time—mobility within office, field, and meeting environments; walking; standing; sitting; bending; reaching; lifting and carrying up to 20 pounds; reading and reviewing plans and technical documents; operating a personal computer and standard office equipment; driving a motor vehicle through city traffic; communicating effectively with staff, applicants, elected officials, and the public.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
- Customer service and conflict resolution techniques.
- Public administration principles and project management practices.
- Project management principles, including the ability to coordinate multiple projects and meet established deadlines.
- Principles and practices of coordinating projects amongst different parties
Preferred knowledge & ability to:
- Apply municipal planning principles, development review practices, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations governing land use and development, including zoning, subdivision, and land development requirements.
- Interpret and evaluate development-related documents, including site plans, construction plans, plats, surveys, and related technical materials, in accordance with applicable standards and requirements.
- Understand and navigate municipal development review, permitting, site development, and plan examination processes and procedures.
- Utilize modern office technology and software, including Enterprise Permitting and Licensing (EPL) systems, to effectively manage information, documentation, and workflow.
- Provide exceptional customer service by responding to inquiries, explaining requirements and processes clearly, addressing concerns, and assisting customers while maintaining regulatory compliance.
- Coordinate complex projects and facilitate communication among applicants, property owners, consultants, contractors, City staff, elected officials, and the public.
- Communicate technical and regulatory information clearly and effectively to individuals with varying levels of knowledge and experience.
- Analyze proposals, identify issues, evaluate options, and recommend practical and appropriate solutions.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and the public.
- Exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when addressing sensitive, complex, or potentially contentious issues.
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE - Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in customer service, public administration, project coordination, or a related field, with demonstrated experience providing exceptional customer service, responding to inquiries, resolving issues, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, and effectively communicating with members of the public.
- Experienced in coordinating concurrent projects and maintaining direct communication with various internal and external parties.
- An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to customer service and process improvement while maintaining the integrity of the City's development regulations. The successful candidate will be collaborative, solution-oriented, technically proficient, and capable of balancing regulatory compliance with economic development and community goals.
*Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.
*Duties, responsibilities and actions may change at any time with or without notice.
The City of La Porte is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Qualified Individuals.
|