Job Description

City of Indianola

Indianola,IAUnited States

How to Apply

This senior executive-level position serves as the Department Head for the Community & Economic Development Department. Core duties and responsibilities of the position include:

• Strategic Leadership & Oversight – Direct and manage departmental operations encompassing planning, zoning, community and economic development, code enforcement, and rental housing inspections to ensure regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
• Development Review & Approval – Oversee site and development plan reviews, ensuring projects meet municipal code, policy, approved plans, and regulatory requirements while coordinating with city departments, developers, and consultants.
• Economic Growth, Business Recruitment & Redevelopment – Lead economic development initiatives, including business recruitment, retention, expansion, complex redevelopment projects, development agreements, and incentive programs such as tax increment financing (TIF).
• Code Review & Regulatory Compliance – Review, update, and enforce municipal codes, policies, and procedures while integrating best practices and monitoring legislative changes to ensure adherence to local, state, and federal requirements.
• Financial & Resource Management – Develop and administer departmental budgets, optimize resources, secure grant funding, and drive strategic financial planning to support infrastructure improvements and sustainable development efforts.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Governance Support – Provide expert recommendations to the city leadership, foster transparent communication with civic groups, commissions, and community partners, and ensure effective implementation of city plans and policies.
• Direct and oversee departmental operations, ensuring excellence in planning, zoning, community/economic development, building, permitting, code enforcement, and rental housing inspection.

Minimum requirements include:

• Graduation from high school.
• Bachelor's degree in planning, architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, urban geography, public administration, or a similarly related field; a Master's degree is preferred.
• Seven (7) years of related work experience required with a minimum of two (2) years supervisory and/or administrative experience preferred; may consider other field-related experience.
• Certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the advanced principles and accepted practices of municipal planning and zoning activities, and recent developments in the field of urban planning.

Scored Grade 9: $113,557.50-$153,426.60; anticipated starting salary $ 113,557.50 to midpoint $129,806.96 depending on qualifications. The position also comes with a comprehensive benefits package that includes vacation, sick leave, personal leave, life insurance and AD&D, short and long-term disability, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement, tuition reimbursement, and an employee assistance program.

A first review of applications will begin July 8, 2025. A cover letter and resume are required.

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