Village Planner

The Village of Brookfield, IL, population approximately 19,000 and home to the world-famous Brookfield Zoo, is accepting applications for the position of Village Planner within the Community and Economic Development Department. This position will report directly to the Community and Economic Development Director.

Qualified candidates must have experience in the planning field with excellent oral and written communication skills as well as analytic ability. Candidates should be capable of evaluating and managing commercial, residential, and mixed-use development proposals, meeting with the public to discuss development proposals, assisting with long-range planning projects, and giving presentations to boards, commissions, and elected officials. Experience and/or familiarity working with Form-Based Codes is a plus. Because the position requires direct interaction with various constituent groups including residents, developers, public, etc., a friendly customer service orientation is necessary.

The position entails a variety of planning and project management activities including:

• Evaluating development proposals and petitions as they relate to the planning documents of the Village
• Conducting research and analysis to prepare recommendations and reports regarding current development projects
• Case and project management including the coordination with various Village departments, external agencies, petitioners, and the public
• Assisting with other project management functions, such as requests for proposals (RFP), working with consultants, grant administration, etc.
• The Village of Brookfield recently adopted a new Comprehensive Plan and Major Zoning Code amendment (Form-Based Code for Station Area Districts) and the Village Planner will play an integral role in implementing these policies and regulations.

A few of the projects that the position will be involved with include:

• Ogden Avenue Corridor Plan which will begin in 2021
• Kiwanis Park Canoe Launch Project to be designed and constructed in 2021
• Congress Park Metra Station Improvements to be constructed in 2021
• Ogden Avenue Phase 1 and Phase II Engineering (Coordination with the Village’s Consulting Engineer)
• Des Plaines River Trail South Extension Phase 1 Engineering (Coordination with the Village’s Consulting Engineer and other agencies)
• Continued expansion of bicycle and pedestrian facilities within the Village

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning or a closely related field; Master’s Degree in Urban Planning or a closely related field is preferred. Prefer 2-5 years of experience in a municipal planning department handling current development projects in a community with infill-type development and redevelopment, or an equivalent combination of training and/or experience.

Professional certification (AICP) is preferred at time of hire but must be achieved within 2 years. Applicants should be proficient in Microsoft Office; experience with ArcGIS a plus.

The successful candidate must have excellent public relations skills, have the ability to ensure code compliance and impartial enforcement of all pertinent municipal ordinances, and adhere to the American Planning Association (APA) and/or the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Code of Ethics.

Starting Salary

The starting salary range is $58,585.38 – $76,161 depending on qualifications. The Village provides a full complement of benefits including paid vacation, paid holidays, personal days, and sick time. Additional benefits include, health and life insurance, participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF), and deferred compensation plans.

Contact Information

Interested applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, copies of current certifications, and three references to: Sash Dumanovic, Director of Human Resources. Materials must be submitted via email to sdumanovic@brookfieldil.gov. The position is open until filled, but first review of applicants begins in early February.

About Brookfield

In 2013, Chicago magazine recognized the Village of Brookfield as one of the top places in metro Chicago for first-time home buyers. The magazine asks, “Like nature? You’ll love this western suburb, which is home to Brookfield Zoo and a stretch of the Salt Creek forest preserve. You can easily find a brick bungalow or a postwar Georgian for under $200,000.”

Conveniently located 13 miles west of downtown Chicago, with three Metra train stations along the BNSF Railway Line, and easy access to trains, buses, highways, and airports, Brookfield is an established, stable, and serene suburb of only 3.1 square miles. We are often called “the world’s most visited village” because the world-famous Brookfield Zoo attracts so many visitors. On a quiet morning it is not unusual to hear the roar of a lion or an elephant trumpet.

Brookfield is a vibrant diverse community of individuals supporting a variety of churches, good schools, an excellent library, low taxes, convenient transportation, and extensive parks and recreation programs. We are committed to economic development, modernizing, building, and making our neighborhoods better and safer. Whether shopping, dining, or enjoying the zoo, you will find our humble village a remarkable and friendly place. A great place to live, raise a family, shop, and do business, Brookfield is truly a community in every sense of the word.