The Village of La Grange (pop. 16,321) is seeking a motivated planning professional to serve as its next Village Planner. La Grange is a vibrant community offering walkable and charming neighborhoods surrounding a dynamic downtown that is home to dozens of restaurants and independent retailers. Located at the crossroads of La Grange Road, Ogden Avenue, and the Metra BNSF line, over 50,000 vehicles, commuters, and pedestrians stream through downtown La Grange every day.
Under the supervision of the Deputy Village Manager/Community Development Director, the Village Planner has broad autonomy to guide all aspects of Village planning and zoning activities. The Village recently adopted a new Comprehensive Plan; funding to begin a full rewrite of the Zoning Code is budgeted this year, and a corridor study for South La Grange Road is currently underway. The new Village Planner will be instrumental in these significant projects that will shape the future of La Grange.
The Village Planner serves as the primary staff liaison to the Plan Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Design Review Commission and provides professional analysis of submitted petitions. The Village Planner is also responsible for zoning administration, interpreting and applying Village zoning regulations, and responding to permit applications and inquiries from residents, developers, and contractors. The Planner is a critical part of the Community Development team, working closely with the Building and Inspectional Services Manager and outside consultants to ensure the Village’s development services are efficient and effective.
Ideal candidates should have strong project management skills. Candidates should have the ability to research a complex topic and distill the key issues in a written report and/or verbal presentation that is easily understood by non-technical audiences. The Planner interacts with various constituent groups, necessitating a customer service-oriented approach. A creative approach to problem solving and growth mindset will help the chosen candidate succeed in this role.
Qualified candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning or related field, with a Master’s degree preferred. At least two years’ experience as a professional planner, preferably working in municipal government, is desired. AICP certification, or ability to obtain AICP certification within one year is expected. Proficiency in ArcGIS, Adobe Creative Suite, BlueBeam electronic plan review, or OpenGov software is preferred, but not required.
The salary range for this position is $75,970 – $106,358 DOQ. The Village offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and life insurance, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) pension, paid time off, professional development, annual cost of living increase and merit-based increases. Successful completion of physical exam, background investigation including reference checks, and drug screening is required.
Position will be open until filled. Qualified individuals interested in being considered for the position must email their resume and cover letter to: hr@lagrangeil.gov with “Village Planner” in the subject field. For any questions during the application process, please contact Human Resources at hr@lagrangeil.gov.
The Village of La Grange is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
