Deputy Director (City Planning)

Job Description

Full-time position available with the City Planning Department - Director's Office
Location: 414 E. 12th St.
Pay: $9,117-$19,167 per month

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Application Deadline: September 11, 2026

About Us

About the City Planning and Development Department

The City Planning and Development Department is responsible for guiding the city's physical growth and economic development. The department develops and implements policies, conducts research, and supports long-term planning initiatives to shape the community's future. It also oversees the development process by reviewing plans, issuing permits, and ensuring compliance with established regulations, helping promote orderly, sustainable, and strategic development across the city.

Click here for more about this department

Responsibilities

What You'll Do: Executive Leadership

• Partner with the Director to establish and advance strategic priorities for planning services.
• Lead and implement assigned citywide initiatives and special projects.
• Direct departmental operations and decision-making in the Director's absence.
• Advise division leaders on zoning administration, urban design, strategic planning, development processes, historic preservation, and operational matters.
• Review division activities, reports, and performance measures to identify emerging issues, opportunities, and risks.

Operations & Performance

• Oversee development review, historic preservation, community planning, and strategic planning operations.
• Establish and monitor performance metrics to evaluate program effectiveness and service delivery.
• Implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, transparency, accountability, and customer service.
• Analyze operational data and performance trends to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement.

Code & Regulatory Insight

• Administer and oversee the City's zoning code and development regulations.
• Ensure compliance with adopted development codes, technical standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead periodic updates and amendments to zoning ordinances, codes, and related regulations.
• Coordinate development review processes with city departments, governmental agencies, developers, and community stakeholders.
• Interpret and apply ordinances, policies, and regulations to support consistent and effective decision-making.

Team Development

• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff across multiple planning and technical disciplines.
• Foster professional development, succession planning, and workforce readiness.
• Promote a collaborative, customer-focused culture that supports organizational goals.
• Encourage cross-functional teamwork and communication among departments and project teams.
• Support employee engagement, performance management, and leadership development initiatives.

Strategic Engagement

• Represent the City before elected officials, boards, commissions, developers, neighborhood groups, and community organizations.
• Present recommendations, reports, and policy initiatives to governing bodies and stakeholders.
• Facilitate public meetings, workshops, and community engagement activities.
• Balance community interests, city priorities, and development objectives in planning and regulatory decisions.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with internal and external partners.

Innovation & Modernization

• Advance the implementation of digital submission platforms, GIS technologies, and data-driven systems.
• Improve service delivery, operational efficiency, and customer experience through technology and innovation.
• Develop and promote sustainability, resiliency, and low-impact development strategies and initiatives.
• Identify emerging planning technologies, best practices, and process improvements to enhance organizational effectiveness.

Fiscal Management

• Assist in preparing, administering, and monitoring departmental budgets.
• Support resource allocation decisions to align staffing and operational needs with strategic priorities.
• Evaluate and recommend fee structures, funding strategies, and financial policies.
• Contribute to long-term financial planning and fiscal sustainability initiatives.

General Responsibilities

• Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Support departmental goals, organizational initiatives, and citywide priorities as needed.

Qualifications

REQUIRES

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or a closely related field and;
• 8-10 Years of Planning experience including;
• 3-5 Years of Supervisory or Management experience
• AICP Certification

Other Information

Military veterans encouraged to apply

Why You'll Love Working with Us - Core Employee Benefits (Benefits offered to all permanent employees unless otherwise specified)

Comprehensive Health Coverage
Affordable medical, dental, and vision plans with multiple options and low employee contributions.

Generous Paid Time Off
Enjoy vacation, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays-with accruals that grow the longer you're with us.

Secure Retirement Planning
City-funded pension plan plus an optional 457 savings plan to help you build long-term financial security.

Support for Life's Big Moments
Paid parental and bereavement leave to help you navigate major life events with peace of mind.

Tuition Assistance
Get reimbursed for eligible education expenses-invest in your future while you work.

Income Protection
Short- and long-term disability coverage options to safeguard your earnings.

Life Insurance Provided
City-paid life insurance with the option to add more coverage for extra peace of mind.

Community Volunteer Leave
Take up to 8 hours annually to give back to causes you care about.

Want the Full Picture?
Click here for a complete benefits summary.

URGENT!!! CRITICAL RECRUITMENT INFORMATION

Applications and/or resumes are evaluated on the information received by the application deadline. Please ensure that your application or resume clearly demonstrates how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying, this includes providing all relevant educational dates and a detailed description of relevant work experience, including months/years of employment. Applications and/or resumes may not be considered if information is incomplete.

In order for a resume to be used in lieu of an application the resume must have been submitted online via the City's Applicant Tracking System.

Positions requiring a high school diploma/GED certificate must be obtained from a school/program accredited by the Department of Education and recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.

The minimum education requirement for positions that allow for experience equivalency for an accredited degree is a high school diploma. Unless otherwise specified, an accredited degree must be obtained from a college or university listed with the U.S. Department of Education and recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
For positions with a salary grade of EX6 or higher that require an accredited degree, qualifying professional experience must be obtained AFTER the accredited degree is obtained.
Successful completion of a pre-employment criminal history/background check is required for all positions. Some positions require a post offer drug screen and/or physical.

If appointed, non-residents must obtain residency inside Kansas City, Missouri's city limits within nine months.

The City of KCMO is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The City is committed to providing a workplace environment for its employees and citizens free from discrimination based on race, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity. For more information, please see our EEO Policy

The City of KCMO is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please call 816-513-1908 or send an e-mail to [email protected] .

If claiming military veterans' preference points, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 or a DD-256 (for reservists). To claim veterans' points you must have served 180 days of regular active duty service and be discharged or released under honorable conditions during peacetimes or 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during "wartime" and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions. (DOD) 38 U.S. Code • 4211).