THE CITY OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS PLANNING AND ZONING DIVISION MANAGER Voorhees Associates is pleased to announce the recruitment for an experienced leader to serve as the City of Evanston s next Planning and Zoning Division Manager. This Recruitment Brochure provides background information on the City of Evanston and outlines the qualifications and experience desirable for Candidates for the Manager of Planning and Zoning position. Additional information about Evanston can be found on the City s website: www.cityofevanston.org. Candidates interested in applying for the position should submit their résumé and cover letter, along with contact information for five work-related references by July 11, 2013 to www.voorheesassociates.com/current-positions. Heidi J. Voorhees, President 500 Lake Cook Road, Suite 350 Deerfield, Illinois 60015 TEL: 847-580-4246 FAX: 866-401-3100 Formal applications should be submitted to: www.voorheesassociates.com/current-positions PROFESSIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT Evanston, IL (75,000) Dynamic and historic lakefront community immediately north of Chicago seeks experienced, proven, progressive candidates to serve as its next Planning and Zoning Division Manager. The Planning and Zoning Division is one of three Divisions of the Community and Economic Development Department comprised of 30 FTEs and responsible for a budget of $2.7 million. The Planning and Zoning Division has 11 employees including the Division Manager. The Division is responsible for planning, zoning ordinance interpretation and administration, historic preservation programs, administration of federal programs including CDBG, Neighborhood Stabilization Program and other housing programs and collaborative planning with all of the city s neighborhoods and commercial areas. Evanston is home to Northwestern University and is an ethnically, racially and economically diverse community. The City enjoys a diversified tax base, a vibrant downtown, strong neighborhoods, thriving commercial districts, and beautiful treelined streets. This position is appointed by and reports to the Director of Community and Economic Development. Qualified individuals will be expected to have a strong background in planning and zoning administration, urban planning and development, and supervisory experience with professional staff. Candidates must have five years increasingly responsible experience in an upper management position in a community of comparable size and complexity. Position requires bachelor s degree in urban planning, public administration, business administration or related field. Master s Degree and/or AICP preferred. Excellent interpersonal/communication/presentation skills essential. Additional information regarding the position can be found at the Consultant s website: www.voorheesassociates.com. Starting salary $100,000+/-, depending on qualifications and experience. Residency not required. Apply by July 11, 2013 in confidence, to the City s Executive Search Consultant: VoorheesAssociates.com/current-positions. ATTN: Heidi Voorhees, President, 500 Lake Cook Road, Suite 350, Deerfield, IL 60015. TEL: 847/580-4246.
COMMUNITY BACKGROUND The City of Evanston, Illinois (population 74,000) is a beautiful, historic, lakefront community located immediately adjacent to Chicago on the scenic north shore of Lake Michigan. Evanston is home to Northwestern University, two hospitals, an exciting downtown and numerous thriving neighborhood commercial districts. In 1924, the local Kiwanis Club predicted that Evanston would always be a City of Homes and that has held true. Approximately 44 percent of the community is residential with a wide variety of homes located on beautiful, tree-lined streets. Historic preservation is a high priority for Evanston residents and community leaders. Two historic districts the Evanston Lakeshore Historic District and the Evanston Ridge Historic District are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Evanston has also enjoyed resurgence in the construction of condominiums and apartment buildings, particularly near commercial districts, adding to the vitality of those areas. Evanston is a community that celebrates its cultural, ethnic and racial diversity. According to a book entitled, This is Evanston, published by the Evanston League of Women Voters, It is a community in which residents come together to identify and solve problems, to celebrate achievements and holidays, and to improve their homes and neighborhoods Evanstonians are passionate about changes that could affect the ambiance, culture and values of their community when asked for the reasons for choosing to live in Evanston, residents most frequently mention the quality of housing, closeness to Lake Michigan, excellent public schools, access to public transportation, population diversity, Northwestern University, proximity to Chicago, cultural activities, and the friendliness of the community. EVANSTON ECONOMY AND CULTURE Evanston is home to more than 2,200 businesses and institutions that employ 38,000 people. Northwestern University is the largest employer, followed by Northshore University Health System and St. Francis/Resurrection Hospital. Public transportation is readily available with a commuter rail line (Metra) and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA elevated train line) offering frequent service to Chicago and other suburban communities. Evanston and Northwestern University established a partnership in 1984 for the development of a Research Park, an award-winning small business incubator. More than 90 companies are located in the Research Park. Evanston is known throughout the region as a home to excellent restaurants, one-of-a-kind specialty stores, craft shops and boutiques, and numerous cultural activities. More than 100 restaurants in Evanston range from small, intimate cafes to upscale dining establishments. The numerous neighborhood commercial districts offer apparel and specialty stores as well as larger retailers. Downtown Evanston combines student-oriented stores with upscale
Wildcat football is a highlight of the fall season, attracting thousands of fans to Ryan Stadium. In addition, Northwestern offers fine arts programs, musical offerings, adult learning programs and recreational amenities. EVANSTON SCHOOLS AND PARKS Evanston is known for its excellent public school system, including the highly regarded Evanston Township High School. Each year numerous teachers are recognized nationally for their teaching skills and academic accomplishments. Approximately 85% of graduating seniors go on to attend college. In addition, Evanston is also home to numerous private schools, including the Baker Demonstration School, Chiaravalle Montessori School, Roycemore School, St. Athanasius, and several others offering alternatives to a public school education. Evanston s lakefront is home to five public beaches providing numerous opportunities for boating and other water activities. There are numerous other recreational options offered at the 93 parks, three community centers and a senior citizens center. Evanston Quick Facts Land Area square miles... 7.98 Households... 29,651 Miles of Streets... 147 Miles of Alleys... 76 Acres of Parks... 268 CITY GOVERNMENT The City of Evanston is a home rule municipality and operates under the Council-Manager form of government. The City Council is comprised of the Mayor (elected at large) and nine aldermen who are elected by their ward for fouryear terms. Evanston has enjoyed a long tradition of activist and involved elected officials. The City Council is organized into standing committees: Administration and Public Works, Human Services, Planning and Development, and Rules. The City Council also establishes special committees, commissions, and advisory committees as needed. The City Manager is appointed by the Council and serves as the chief administrative officer of the City. The current City Manager has been with the City since 2009.
PLANNING AND ZONING DIVISION MANAGER The Planning and Zoning Division is located in the Community and Economic Development Department, which is comprised of 30 FTEs and has a budget of $2.7 million. The Department is divided into the following divisions: Building and Inspection Services, Planning and Zoning, and Economic Development. Approximately two-thirds of the department s employees are represented by AFSCME. The Division Manager serves as the City s zoning administrator, the staff liaison to the Plan Commission and also assists with liaison duties for the City Council s Planning and Development Committee. It is anticipated that the salary for the position will be $100,000+/-, negotiable, depending upon experience and qualifications. Residency in the City is not required. CANDIDATE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA The following factors of education, experience, management style, and personal traits have been identified as ideal attributes for the Planning and Zoning Division Manager to possess in order to function effectively in the position. Education and Experience A bachelor s degree in urban planning, public administration, public policy, business administration, or related field from an accredited college or university is required; a graduate degree in planning, public administration or related field and/ or AICP designation is strongly preferred. Have proven executive-level management experience with five years of progressively responsible experience in the strategic leadership and management of a planning and zoning operation in a fullservice urban/suburban municipality of similar size and complexity to the City of Evanston. Possess extensive knowledge of planning and zoning theory and experience in implementing comprehensive plans, special area plans, and interpreting zoning ordinances. Have experience in oversight of federal community development programs such as CDBG, HOME and other similar programs. Have experience overseeing work product quality standards for subordinate staff, ensuring positive customer satisfaction outcomes. Have a positive record of team building with other divisions that work closely with planning and zoning, including a reputation for dealing fairly and effectively with all employees. Have a commitment to and fully embrace racial, cultural, economic, and religious diversity with a proven record of recruiting and selecting a diverse workforce. Have experience working within a large, sophisticated organization in an urbanized environment and doing so diplomatically, effectively managing stressful situations, and projecting a demeanor of calm leadership.
Have experience in external organizational relations and the ability to interact with neighborhood organizations and other stakeholders in a constructive, cooperative and supportive manner while effectively representing the City s interests. Have experience developing practical solutions to conflicts with City codes, ordinances and plans. Have thorough knowledge of the principles of modern personnel management, including experience with recruiting, training, promoting, disciplining, and terminating employees within a union environment; have experience in collective bargaining. Have experience working with elected officials, City department heads and staff, and an actively involved public in a positive, cooperative, and team-oriented approach to address issues and solve problems facing the City. Possess demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability and willingness to communicate openly and transparently with the Director, City Manager, Mayor, City Council, employees, and community. Management Style and Personal Traits Possess complete integrity and exemplify professional and personal characteristics of impeccable behavior which meet the highest standards. Possess strong leadership and management skills; provide timely and straightforward feedback to employees regarding personal performance and achievement of assigned goals and objectives. Be a self starter, comfortable working with limited direction and with a latitude of action while keeping the Director and other appropriate individuals apprised of plans, actions and programs. Be effective in public relations, with the ability to translate technical Community and Economic Development issues and terminology into layman s language. Exemplify and be committed to a customer service orientation and be able to promote and support such an orientation among staff in the Planning and Zoning Division. Have experience in the professional development, mentoring and leadership of a staff with varying levels of experience; understand the importance of developing new staff, providing experience and opportunities that will anchor them to the city organization. Delegate broadly and provide wide latitude to professional staff, while being personally knowledgeable of the status of Planning and Zoning Division activities and projects and holding staff accountable for results; be able to challenge staff to be creative and innovative in addressing community issues. Have a demonstrated track record of analyzing programs, operations, and services with data derived from benchmarking, best practices and cost/benefit analyses. Project an unflappable demeanor, with the ability to meet challenges and adversity with effective leadership.