https://icma.org/job-posts/143284
Executive Director of Planning
County of Chester, PA
Chester County and its 550,000 residents enjoy a high quality of life with outstanding employment and educational opportunities, coupled with an array of performing arts and cultural venues, museums, historical sites, world-renowned gardens, recreational offerings, and an eclectic mixture of dining, microbreweries, and wine tasting options. Referred to locally as “Chesco,” the County includes the City of Coatesville, 15 Boroughs, 57 Townships, and numerous other communities within its 762 square miles and is part of Philadelphia’s 6.2 million metropolitan area population. Chester County is the fastest-growing county in southeastern Pennsylvania, with 100,000 projected new residents by 2050.
The Executive Director of Planning is responsible for leading, implementing and managing all programs, staff, and budgets for the County Planning Commission, Environmental and Energy Advisory Board, and Agricultural Development Council. The position is also responsible for providing the highest technical level of assistance to County Commissioners.
Chester County seeks a visionary and creative Executive Director of Planning who is passionate about progressive planning principles and has the keen ability to develop long-range plans and future projects with area planning and transportation partners. The successful candidate will have a functional understanding in a variety of practices including long-range planning, balancing growth with preservation, open space acquisition and management, affordable housing, sustainability programs, multimodal transportation, and Transit Oriented Development.
A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in planning, geography, political science, economics, landscape architecture, or other related field is required, coupled with ten (10) or more years of applied experience in planning fields (i.e., community, environmental, plan review, transportation, etc.) is required. Candidates with an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will also be considered. Membership in the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) strongly preferred. The final selected candidate must also possess or be able to obtain a valid driver’s license. Residency is not required for the position; however, it is desired that the Executive Director of Planning live within a reasonable commuting distance to the County offices in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Chester County offers a competitive salary based upon qualifications and experience with a desired starting salary range of $120,186 – $150,234.
Please apply online at: https://www.governmentresource.com/recruitment-employers/open-recruitme…
For more information on the position, contact:
Doug Thomas, Executive Vice President of Recruitment & Leadership Development
Strategic Government Resources
DouglasThomas@governmentresource.com
863-860-9314
Soooo isn’t that special as well? Welcome back Church Lady:
So Brian O’Leary is the current Executive Director of Chester County Planning Commission so is he retiring?
O’Leary was appointed in Chester County in 2015. I was never a fan. I remember him from the Planning Commission in Lower Merion Township and Montgomery County.
Ok I found it, he’s retiring:
He’s retiring just after the November election as per his LinkedIn:
Good morning friends and colleagues,
On November 8, I’ll be retiring after many great years at the Chester County and Montgomery County planning commissions. It has been interesting, fun, and, hopefully, impactful work that has been much more fulfilling because of my interactions with all of you.
Chester County is now looking for a new executive director of planning, and you can find more about the position here:
https://lnkd.in/e6kfy38W
If you know of someone who would be a good fit for the position, please share the link with them. Chester County is an excellent place to work as a planner. Both the county government and the general community are very supportive of planning; Landscapes3, the county’s comprehensive plan, is well respected by our partners; and the county directly implements smart growth and preservation through its open space, community revitalization, and planning grant programs.
When I retire, I’ll be doing the usual retiree activities of more travelling, more learning, more creative hobbies, more time outdoors, and more time with family.
Sincerely,
Brian
One pension or two? He was at Montgomery County for like 28 years, and Chester County for 9.
My largest problem other than I remember how pro-development I felt he was from my time living in Lower Merion Township, was that he did NOT live in Chester County. Sorry not sorry but to understand Chester County best for a crucial job like this, it should be a resident if possible.
So anyway, arrivederci O’Leary. I hope your successor actually lives in Chester County.
File again under news I found that I wasn’t looking for.