Zoning and Design Planning Manager

The Zoning and Design Planning Manager at the City of Fort Worth has a wide array of responsibilities, including leading a team of planners, overseeing zoning assessments, managing community boards, and facilitating the development review process. This position requires excellent communication skills to function effectively with diverse stakeholders and ensure that urban design practices align with the city’s growth objectives.

To apply for the Zoning and Design Planning Manager role in Fort Worth, you need a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Urban Planning or Public Administration, coupled with five years of experience in planning, zoning, or urban design. Additionally, two years of supervisory experience is required to ensure that candidates have the leadership skills necessary for this role.

The City of Fort Worth is committed to promoting diversity within its Development Services Department, reflecting its core values of mutual respect and ethical behavior. This commitment means actively hiring, training, and promoting staff from diverse backgrounds to ensure that the input and needs of all city residents are represented in planning and design decisions.

Candidates for the Zoning and Design Planning Manager position at Fort Worth are preferred to have extensive experience in land development and municipal regulations concerning zoning and urban design. Experience utilizing GIS technology and software for design, along with certifications from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or Congress for New Urbanism (CNU-A), will strengthen an applicant's profile.

Working conditions for the Zoning and Design Planning Manager at the City of Fort Worth typically involve a sedentary work environment with the occasional requirement to lift light loads. The role primarily encompasses desk duties, meetings, and presentations, showcasing the importance of communication and collaboration within a thriving urban development context.

Discuss your background with specific zoning laws and regulations, emphasizing any hands-on experience with zoning cases or policy recommendations you've been involved in. Highlight how your understanding of these regulations can benefit the City of Fort Worth in creating orderly and sustainable development.

Explain your strategies for fostering open communication, such as conducting outreach programs, hosting public meetings, and using technology to engage citizens. Share examples of how you have successfully communicated complex zoning issues to various audiences in previous roles.

Reflect on your leadership philosophy, whether it's collaborative, transformational, or consultative. Provide examples of how you’ve motivated teams and facilitated professional growth, all while ensuring that team members feel valued and included in the planning process.

Choose a specific project and detail your role in overcoming obstacles. Discuss the steps you took – from strategic planning to stakeholder engagement – and the ultimate impact of your actions on the community or project outcomes.

Demonstrate your ability to mediate conflicts by outlining your approach: listening to both sides, identifying common ground, and collaborating to formulate a solution that addresses the concerns of the community while considering development goals.

Share methods for continuous learning, such as attending workshops, joining professional networks, or reading relevant publications. Emphasize your commitment to integrating innovative urban design concepts into Fort Worth's planning policies.

Discuss your organizational methods, such as setting timelines, utilizing project management software, and regularly reassessing priorities based on project deadlines and stakeholder needs to ensure timely and effective completion of tasks.

Highlight a project where you worked closely with other departments, detailing what the project entailed, your specific contributions, and the result of this collaborative effort, ultimately benefiting Fort Worth's development goals.

Describe key performance indicators (KPIs) you monitor, such as community satisfaction, compliance with zoning regulations, and project timelines. Explain how analyzing these metrics can help refine future zoning strategies.

Articulate your passion for urban planning and community impact. Share what excites you about contributing to Fort Worth's growth and transformation, emphasizing how this role aligns with your career goals and values.