The City of Salina is seeking a strong, forward-thinking leader to serve as our next Zoning Administrator within our high-impact, mission-driven Community & Development Services  Department. This is not just a technical role, it’s a leadership opportunity for someone who can guide a talented team, contribute to department-wide strategy, & help drive transformational projects that are shaping Salina’s future. This position is open due to the retirement of a long serving & highly respected member of our team.

As Zoning Administrator, you’ll manage & mentor planning staff, oversee zoning applications & code enforcement, serve as liaison to keyboards & commissions, & collaborate closely with other divisions & external partners. You’ll also serve as a key member of the department’s leadership team, helping to align internal operations with our broader mission, vision, & strategic goals.

Duties:
· Plans, organizes, & performs supervisory & administrative duties of the Planning Division.
· Coordinates the review, administration, & enforcement of zoning ordinances & any applicable adopted plans.
· Manages the intake, review, & analysis of development applications to ensure compliance with Zoning & Subdivision Regulations; ensures timely & accurate processing throughout all phases of the approval process.
· Serves as the primary liaison to the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Design Review Board, & Heritage Commission; oversees & administers public meeting logistics including agenda preparation, packet assembly, notifications, minutes, & ensures adherence to all applicable local, state, & federal requirements.
· Leads the review of permit applications for compliance with zoning codes; facilitates the issuance of permits through the City’s online permitting system & applies technical expertise in permit-related software platforms.
· Investigates potential zoning code violations & promotes voluntary compliance; communicates corrective actions to property owners & applicants; maintains detailed case records using department software, including inspection notes, photographs, & other documentation.
· Recruits, trains, & evaluates division staff; coordinates professional development & addresses performance issues through consistent & thorough performance management; monitors & balances staff workloads across zoning, permitting, enforcement, & project areas.
· Provides professional guidance to the public, including developers, engineers, architects, & planners, on land use & planning matters; prepares comprehensive reviews & reports for Development Review Team meetings.
· Supports the department’s strategic process improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing service delivery, operational efficiency, & customer satisfaction; collaborates with leadership to foster a culture of continuous improvement.
· Represents the department at public hearings, city meetings, & with community groups & stakeholders; effectively communicates planning goals, regulatory requirements, & policy decisions.
· Contributes to the development & implementation of community development plans; executes directives from the City Commission, Planning Commission, & City Manager related to physical development & land use policy.
· Conducts complex research & policy analysis on development proposals & regulatory issues; prepares technical reports, drafts policies, & maintains a comprehensive record of related data & documentation; handles sensitive & confidential information as required.
· Completes special projects & other assignments as delegated by the Director.
· Trains & supervises planning staff.

Education:
· Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public administration, or a related field.
· Master’s degree is strongly preferred.

Experience:
· Five (5) years of experience in planning, community development, or city management.

Requirements:
· Must live within 40 minutes response time.
· Must possess a valid Kansas driver’s license.

Work Type:
· Light, exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Hours:
· Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
· Attends meetings outside regular office hours.