JOB LISTING

The City of Providence seeks a visionary leader to fill the vacant role of Director of Planning and Urban Development (the “Director”). The Director shall be responsible for the planning and execution of all aspects of the City’s growth and development, including but not limited to the continued redevelopment of Providence’s built environment.

As the capital of Rhode Island and third largest city in New England, Providence is the economic and cultural hub of southeastern New England. Located at the head of the Narragansett Bay in the heart of the Eastern Seaboard, Providence provides a small-town, urban alternative to Boston or New York City.

A growing city of approximately 175,000 individuals, the “Creative Capital” is home to more than two dozen universities and hospitals, a thriving arts-and-culture economy and vibrant, diverse neighborhoods. With the recent relocation of Interstate 195 complete, nearly 35 acres of vacant land in the heart of Downtown Providence has become newly available for redevelopment purposes, posing a once in a generation opportunity to transform the physical fabric of Providence’s former Jewelry District.

The Department of Planning and Development manages the city’s medium- and long-range development strategies on issues ranging from economic growth to historic preservation. This individual reports to the Director of Economic Development, manages an annual budget of approximately $5 million and a team of approximately 100 individuals.

Specific responsibilities shall include but are not limited to:

Comprehensive Planning
• Responsible for the design, implementation and administration of the City’s Comprehensive plan as
well as the development of a Consolidation Plan Strategy.
• Prepares rules and regulations relating to the government, control and restriction of the platting of land.
• Establishes long & short-range planning goals; sets objectives, policies, rules and regulations for all
divisions of the department.

Policy Development
• Assists the Economic Development Director in formulating and implementing marketing and commerce development strategies for the City.
• Establishes housing and community development policy and implements plans for City growth and development, including historic preservation, neighborhood and area development, zoning,
transportation, urban design and revitalization.
• Monitors statewide and national developments in planning, economic and community development
matters to evaluate their impact on City of Providence programs and operations in order to implement departmental process improvements where needed.

Board & Financial Management
• Oversees the Housing, Compliance & Monitoring, Business Services and Real Estate Services divisions.
• Prepares and administers the annual budget in conjunction with the Director of Economic Development,
the Mayor, Director of Administration and the City Council.
• Provides organizational leadership in a collaborative spirit to develop and retain highly competent,
public service-oriented staff.

External Relations
• Administers various Boards and Commissions, including the City Planning Commission, the Providence Redevelopment Agency, the Downtown Design Review Committee, the Capital Center Commission,
and the Historic District Commission.
• Oversees the writing and facilitation of various grants and grant-funded programs, including the City’s allocation under the Community Development Block Grant program.
• Represents the City of Providence Department in regional and national planning & development forums.

Minimum qualifications shall include but not be limited to:

1. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in planning, civil engineering, public administration, or related field. Master’s degree and AICP certification are strongly preferred.

2. At least ten (10) years of professional experience in city planning and urban development, including
at least five (5) years of supervisory and administrative experience, or an equivalent combination of professional training and supervisory experience in city planning or related fields.

3. A thorough knowledge of the methods and techniques involved in the collection and organization of physical, social, economic, fiscal and other data used in community planning.

4. Demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City officials and the general public. Must be able to work across stakeholder groups to produce tangible development outcomes.

5. Executive leadership experience in planning, and promoting development and redevelopment strategies and programs.

6. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate and informative reports and supervise related studies.
7. Experience working in an urban environment and with a unionized workforce.
8. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
9. Must be able to perform all essential functions of the job.

Excellent benefits package available. Please submit a resume and a cover letter that clearly identifies the position for which you are applying:

Human Resources Department
25 Dorrance Street – Room 401
Providence, RI 02903
fgutierez@providenceri.com

Deadline: Open until filled

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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