Executive Director – Zoning Board of Adjustment

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As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact – The work you do here matters to millions.
• Growth – Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it?
• Diversity & Inclusion – Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits – We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) coordinates Philadelphia’s planning, zoning, preservation, and housing functions to promote the economic health of all neighborhoods and the City. DPD includes the Divisions of Executive Administration, Housing and Community Development (DHCD); Planning and Zoning (DPZ); and Development Services (DS). DPD also contracts with the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC), Philadelphia Land Bank and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority as well as departments within the City that perform Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) program activities.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) is an independent 7-member quasi-judicial board appointed by the Mayor and approved by City Council. The ZBA hears appeals of the Department of Licenses and Inspection’s (L&I’s) refusal or referral of a zoning permit application and any decision made by L&I in accordance with the Philadelphia Zoning Code, including issuance of by-right permits and zoning-related violation notices. Decisions made by the ZBA are appealed to the Court of Common Pleas. The ZBA is an agency within the Division of Planning and Zoning in the Department of Planning and Development and consists of a staff of 9 civil service employees.  This position reports to the Deputy Director of Planning and Zoning.

This role is responsible for the oversight of the matters heard before the Zoning Board of Adjustment, ensuring that appeals are processed and heard in a timely fashion, but also navigating a complex series of relationships and ever-changing legislation and procedures/systems that effect the ZBA’s processes. Similar to the other Executive Directors in the Department of Planning and Development, the Executive Director of the ZBA directs, through subordinate supervisors, a professional staff of an independent Board and holds the authority to determine how and when cases are heard before the Board. The Executive Director works closely with other City agencies, City Council, and the Board’s attorney to address operations beyond the preparation for weekly hearings. Applicants and their attorneys may not communicate directly with the Board members regarding their case, so they must work with the Executive Director and the Board’s attorney to address their concerns.

Essential Functions

Operations management

• Leads the day-to-day operations of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, including management of staff, coordination with ZBA Board Members, oversight of applicant and stakeholder service, hearing scheduling and operations, records management, and timely reporting.
• Ensures operational compliance with City Charter, City code, and applicable regulations.
• Assists ZBA Board Members in the facilitation of ZBA meetings, including supporting transparent and accessible public meetings. This may include managing public meeting technology, supporting the facilitation of public comment, implementing language access resources, and documenting decisions.
• Works with Board Counsel to coordinate required and helpful trainings for Board Members and staff.
• Establishes internal communication structures between the Department of Planning and Development and ZBA staff.
• Coordinates with Law Department personnel on responses to Right-To-Know and other records requests.
• Collaborates with DPD Communications staff and Board Counsel on responses to media inquiries.

Innovation and Performance Management

• In coordination with DPD Leadership and partner agencies (i.e. Law, Office of Information Technology, Licenses & Inspections, etc.), lead continual improvement efforts to ensure quality, timely and equitable delivery of service to participants in the ZBA process.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators for the ZBA, and drive improvement where necessary.
• Develop strategy for advancing equity within the ZBA process, including identifying best practices, case studies and opportunities for pilots of operational practices/programs that contribute to improved understanding, access and navigation of ZBA process.

Administration management

• Manage and administer ZBA budget in coordination with appropriate finance staff.
• Work with DPD Human Resources to ensure a fully staffed ZBA team, with vacancies quickly filled to ensure continuity of operations.
• Foster a ZBA team culture that is inclusive, customer service oriented, and committed to continuous improvement.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the City of Philadelphia’s Zoning Code.
• Ability to manage and coordinate a board or commission in a regulated environment.
• Ability to manage, through subordinate supervisors, a staff that runs the day-to-day operations of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
• Ability to evaluate workflows and processes and implement changes and improvements.
• Skill in maintaining effective working relationships with a wide variety of City agencies, City Council, attorneys, developers, community organizations, and the general public.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong administrative skills and ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Strong operations management experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs, especially Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet tight deadlines while paying attention to details.
• Excellent self-direction and the ability to take ownership and see responsibilities through to completion.
• Ability to establish and foster relationships with cross-sector partners and to work as part of a collaborative team.
• Strong understanding of the tenets of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Required:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.  Optimal candidate has a degree in public administration, business, or city planning.
• At least 10 years of experience including:
  • Five or more years of experience in the supervision of a team.
  • Five or more experience administering and managing operations.

Desirable:

• Experience staffing a Board or Commission.
• Experience working with a zoning code.

We welcome and encourage applicants with non-traditional career paths. If you don’t exactly meet the qualifications outlined here, please apply and describe in your cover letter how your own experiences equip you to excel in this position. 

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.

Salary Range: $100,000 – $120,000

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 6 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster – As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships – The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that  are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx