Executive Director

Job Description:\n\nPOSITION: Executive Director DEPARTMENT: Area Plan CommissionWORK SCHEDULE: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., M-F SALARY: $3,665.12 Biweekly Incumbent serves as Executive Director for the Area Plan Commission/Metropolitan Planning Organization for transportation planning, responsible for directing personnel and managing department and MPO operations. DUTIES: Supervises and directs assigned personnel, including interviewing applicants, providing training, orientation and corrective instruction, planning/making work assignments, evaluating performance, maintaining discipline, hiring and terminating with Commission approval, and administering County personnel policies. Performs duties of other department personnel in their absence or as needed. Prepares, proposes and administers the annual Unified Planning Work Program and the comprehensive plan for the Area Plan Commission (APC), reviewing/preparing related ordinances and keeping them updated and responsive to community needs, establishing objectives, policies and procedures for land use development, and development of public ways/places/lands/structures/utilities of the county according to state requirements, including, but not limited to, zoning, planned developments, form-base codes, subdivision control, and thoroughfares. Ensures proper preparation and preservation of related documents. Reviews and prepares documents for APC action assessing compliance of amendments to Economic Development Plans for economic development areas and TIFs with adopted Comprehensive Plan elements. Represents APC at various meetings, such as Board of County Commissioners, City Councils, town boards, and County Council, explaining policies, procedures, objectives, and action on specific cases. Serves as department liaison, coordinating communication and operations with related agencies and County departments. Serves as advisor to elected officials and chief deputies in matters related to development, planning and transportation. Reviews land development/subdivision proposals as needed to ensure compliance with land use ordinances, including reviewing topography and aerial maps, visiting sites when needed, meeting with interested parties, and resolving problems. Releases subdivision plats for recording. Responds to inquiries from news media and the public regarding cases and issues. Sustains an effective walk-in response to the public and land use practitioners. Serves as administrative officer for zoning enforcement in area towns, including responding to inquiries and complaints of non-compliance with land use codes, investigating complaints, reviewing site plans, visiting sites, interpreting and applying state and local codes, explaining procedures and legal requirements, and consulting with legal counsel. When subpoenaed, provides expert testimony in court regarding zoning and subdivision enforcement cases. Maintains and updates with best practices the Public Involvement Plan to effectively engage all citizens, including neighborhood leaders, non-English speakers, low income and minority populations, disabled persons and seniors. Attends APC, APC Executive Committee, Ordinance Committee and Board of Zoning Appeals meetings monthly, presenting reports and information as requested or required. Reviews and edits meeting minutes. Reviews, edits, and approves staff reports, zoning and subdivision map revisions, and APC legal documents, ensuring compliance with all applicable state and local codes and approved plans. Supervises work as the Census agency for the Lafayette Metropolitan Area performing LUCA and PSAP activities for all jurisdictions. Prepares and disseminates decennial Census and American Community Survey information to media and the public. Prepares precinct and redistricting maps for local jurisdictions following every Census in compliance with Indiana Code. Leads comprehensive plan activities including land use, housing, thoroughfare, park, neighborhood plans, Metropolitan Transportation Plan, Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, and amendments to other areas of the comprehensive plan. Ensures compliance with statutory requirements. Serves as Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Director, working with federal, state, and local government agencies ensuring adequate transportation planning and justification and funding for related capital improvements and planning activities. Serves as Executive Director for the Rural Transportation Planning Organization for adjacent Carroll County operating under INDOT's Small Urban and Rural Transportation Planning Program (SURP). Serves as Secretary and voting member on the Technical Transportation Committee and serves as Secretary and nonvoting member of the Policy Board reviewing agendas, minutes, presentations and calling meetings. Prepares Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and all necessary documentation and signs contracts with Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and supervises work by administrative staff. SURP grant activities are also included in the UPWP. Manages $500,000 per year in PL, FTA and SPR funds for planning. Uses proprietary database software and financial program to prepare the UPWP, PL billings and SURP Grant billings. Reviews quarterly progress and annual completion reports to accompany billings. Provides Indirect Cost Rate and Fringe Benefits proposals for the UPWP under USC 23 and 49 for approval by INDOT, FTA and FHWA Answers to Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) representatives concerning the annual Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), meeting fiscal and programming requirements. Serves on the Indiana MPO Council and its committees as assigned, including Safety, PL Distribution, Rural Transportation Planning Coordination, MPO/INDOT Planning Roles and Responsibilities Manuel, LTAP/Purdue Road School, MPO/LPA Guidance, and Livability/Sustainability. Supervises development of the biennial Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) document for approval by MPO, INDOT, FHWA and FTA and manages in excess of $5,000,000 per year in STBG, HSIP and TA funds for the metropolitan area. Approves change orders on all Federal Aid transportation projects based on TIP authorized funding and fiscal constraint. In cooperation with INDOT, develops a list of state projects needed by the MPO to develop a transportation plan and reviews projects to be included in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Partners with INDOT and consultants on EIS/EA's and FONSI's for highway projects, such as 231 Relocation and Hoosier Heartland. Supervises development of all other transportation planning documents including socio-economic forecasts, traffic forecasting model, the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (every 5 years), the Annual Listing of Projects, Coordinated Human Services Transit Plan (reviewed annually and updated every 5 years), Public Participation Plan, crash analysis and reports, ADA plans and all other planning activities required by FHWA, FTA and INDOT. Provides planning services to CityBus (GLPTC) as required by yearly Planning Emphasis Areas established by FHWA and FTA and provides assistance in grant applications when requested by CityBus (GLPTC). Serves as arbiter of Title VI Discrimination Complaints against CityBus (GLPTC) (Resolution T-89-1) per FTA guidelines. Certifies and/or signs various documents, including Title VI/Environmental Justice documentation to State and Federal agencies triennially, data confidentiality agreements with State and Federal agencies enabling use of certain proprietary information in the transportation planning process, and Self Certification documents swearing compliance of transportation planning process with USC 23 & 49. Authorizes FTA fund relinquishments and PL fund transfers. Assists in other areas of local government as appointee to boards and committees, such as Lafayette Traffic Commission advising the City Engineer per city code, WREC Board as Ex Officio Member, county IT department (DoIT) Advisory Board, Local Emergency Planning Committee, and Indiana-American Water Annual Wellhead Protection Committee. Serves on various WREC Committees including the Watershed Management Steering Committee Cooperates with regulating agencies in administering flood plain management program, including reviewing and assigning flood plain elevations for surveyors, preparing and submitting required reports, maintaining records of construction in special flood hazard areas, providing for public inspection of regulatory flood data, maps and other records as required. Administers National Flood Insurance Program for all member jurisdictions. Administers approved department budget, authorizing payroll and other expenditures and ensuring cost-effective operations. Prepares annual department budget and discusses with County Council as requested. Prepares annual report of activities and fee collections and presents to APC as required. Prepares a monthly Director's Report for APC and BZA members including distribution to the mayors and city clerks. Actively engages in public relations, media relations and citizen education by responding to and seeking opportunities to speak to community groups. Writes a monthly column for the daily newspaper informing the public about transportation projects and road closures. Speaks to primary and secondary school classes and teaches university classes as a guest lecturer. Authorizes and supervises university class projects to provide practical planning and transportation experience. Maintains current knowledge of community and transportation planning, land use regulations and related issues by attending training seminars/conferences. Performs related duties as assigned. JOB REQUIREMENTS: Master's Degree in urban and regional planning, public administration, or related field and a minimum of ten years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. PhD may be substituted for two years of experience. Certification by American Institute of Certified Planners preferred. Experience with MPO level transportation planning functions and processes. Thorough knowledge of and ability to make practical application of department policies and procedures, state statutes, and county and city ordinances, regarding zoning, subdivision control, drainage/flood control, public environmental nuisances, transportation and land development. Thorough knowledge of county topography, and ability to read, interpret and explain zoning and subdivision control ordinances, property legal descriptions, plat and flood plain maps, and aerial photos. Working knowledge of ESRI based GIS software. Working knowledge of State Board of Accounts financial management requirements, and ability to make calculations and administer department budget, ensuring cost-effective operations and maintenance of accurate records. Ability to learn Timekeeper proprietary database software for creation of the UPWP and for financial use in billings. Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare correspondence, documents and detailed reports, and properly operate office equipment, including computer, printer, fax machine, copier, telephone, and camera. Ability to use all Microsoft Office products including Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive. Ability to run a virtual meeting using Go-To-Meeting, Teams and Zoom. Ability to supervise and direct assigned personnel, including interviewing applicants, providing training, orientation and corrective instruction, planning/making work assignments, evaluating performance, maintaining discipline, hiring and terminating with Commission approval, and administering county personnel policies. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County and City departments, APC, BZA, County Council, Board of County Commissioners, City Councils, town boards, federal and state regulating agencies, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities. Ability to comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct. Ability to provide public access to or to maintain confidentiality of department information and records according to State requirements. Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out oral and written instructions, and present findings in oral or written form. Ability to prepare and make public speaking presentations and provide expert testimony in legal proceedings. Ability to work rapidly for long periods, work on several tasks at the same time, and complete assignments effectively amidst frequent distractions and interruptions. Ability to plan and layout assigned work projects. Ability to work alone with minimum supervision, and with others in a team environment. Ability to regularly work extended and/or evening hours and occasionally work weekend hours and travel out of town for meetings/conferences, sometimes overnight. Possession of a valid driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record. DIFFICULTY OF WORK: Incumbent applies practical and theoretical planning and transportation planning principles in performing duties, which are broad in scope and involve many variables and considerations, often with conflicting aspects. Incumbent exercises considerable independent judgment in creating a vision for the agency and community, interpreting precedents, adapting and applying ordinances to individual cases and complex circumstances, and in projecting impact of decisions on area communities. RESPONSIBILITY: Incumbent receives administrative direction from APC and BZA, with purpose and desired results indicated. Incumbent makes extensive, consequential contribution to development of department objectives, policies and procedures, discussing unprecedented situations with supervisors at incumbent's discretion. Decisions and work product are reviewed primarily for compliance with legal requirements. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS: Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County and City departments, APC, BZA, County Council, Board of County Commissioners, Mayors, City Councils, town councils, federal and state regulating agencies, and the public for purposes of exchanging information, explaining/interpreting policies, procedures and codes, directing/coordinating department operations, supervising personnel, and solving non-routine problems. Incumbent reports directly to Area Plan Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals and the MPO Policy Board. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: Incumbent performs a majority of duties in a standard office environment, which may involve sitting for long periods, sitting and walking at will, lifting/carrying objects weighing less than 25 pounds, close