PLANNING MANAGER
Community & Development
Services Department

As a dynamic & challenging role, the Planning Manager is responsible for the comprehensive development & compliance of land use regulations, ensuring Salina grows sustainably & responsibly. This position serves as a crucial liaison to various boards & commissions, fostering collaboration & communication across governmental & public domains. Crucially, it leads efforts in community representation & improvement initiatives, directly contributing to enhancing quality of life & community satisfaction. By emphasizing process improvement & innovation, the Planning Manager brings fresh ideas & efficiency, vital for adapting to evolving community needs. This role is not just about maintaining current standards but innovating & walking the fine line of policy & community interests, representing Salina as a progressive city that values strategic development & thoughtful planning.

Duties:
· Reviews & Processes Applications: 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.
· Board & Commission Liaison: 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.
· Permit Oversight & Technical Review: 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.
· Code Enforcement & Compliance: 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.
· Staff Leadership & Supervision: 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.
· Customer & Stakeholder Guidance: 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.
· Process Improvement & Innovation: 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.
· Community Representation: Represents the department at public hearings, city meetings, & with community groups & stakeholders; effectively communicates planning goals, regulatory requirements, & policy decisions.
· Planning & Policy Development: 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.
· Research & Technical Analysis: 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.
· Special Projects & Additional Duties: Completes special projects & other assignments as delegated by the Director.

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 public administration with two (2) years of experience in a supervisory role.
· Regulatory or non-profit board management experience is strongly preferred.

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

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.

Equipment:
· Calculator, computer, scanner, telephone, & vehicle. Proficiency in the use of computer software including Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook & Access.

Salary DOQ EOE:
· $81,259-130,016/yr.

Paid Time Off:
· 48 hours of vacation available upon hire; additional 48 hours earned during the year (96 hours in first year).
· 96 hours of sick leave during first year.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug-Free Workplace: We consider applicants for all jobs without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, or familial status.  Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations to the application and/or interview process should notify a representative of the Human Resources Department at 785-309-5710.

TH 09/11/2025