Salary : $115,899.00 - $133,284.00 Annually
Location : City Hall Bloomington, IN
Job Type: Regular Full-Time (40hrs/week; with benefits)
Department: Planning and Transportation
Opening Date: 06/11/2026
Closing Date: 7/14/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: N/A
Typical Work Schedule:: Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm with some nights and weekends when needed
Position Reports to:: Mayor
Supervises Staff:: Yes
Description The City of Bloomington is seeking its next
Director of Planning and Transportation to lead work that shapes how people live, move, connect, and experience Bloomington every day. Under Mayor Kerry Thomson's leadership, the City is focused on economic vitality, attainable housing, public safety, sustainability, inclusion, open government, strong partnerships, transportation, and quality of place. The Director of Planning and Transportation will play a central role in turning those priorities into practical, visible progress. This position is appointed by the Mayor.
Bloomington is a place where people come to build something: a career, a family, a business, a neighborhood, a creative life, a next chapter. This position is an opportunity to help make that possible for more people.
Duties This job description is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all job functions performed. The following are essential duties for this position, performed with or without reasonable accommodation:
PrimaryAdministers and directs departmental operations, including attending various community policy meetings providing consultation and overseeing implementation of comprehensive plans.
Recruits, screens, interviews, and hires department employees, assigns work, provides technical assistance, direction and supervision, establishes job performance standards and evaluates employees, and takes disciplinary actions, as needed.
Attends and serves as technical advisor at monthly Plan Commission meetings, and Board of Zoning Appeals meetings.
Responds to citizen planning and zoning inquiries as applied to established local, state, and federal laws, rules, and guidelines; maintains public relations for department, and frequently attends civic and neighborhood meetings.
Prepares and submits department budget to Common Council, and administers budget upon approval.
Reviews and evaluates department programs, systems and methods of operation and revises, as necessary.
Attends, drafts, presents, and defends major policy recommendations at various meetings, including Mayor's Cabinet and Common Council.
Prepares and administers planning related ordinances and resolutions as needed.
Occasionally testifies in court on matters pertaining to the decisions of Plan Commission and/or Board of Zoning Appeals.
Takes all reasonable steps to maintain a safe work environment.
SecondaryPerforms related duties as assigned by the Mayor?s Office.
Job Requirements Minimum knowledge equivalent to a master's degree in planning or related field.
Minimum experience equivalent to over five (5) years, senior level municipal planning
American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification required.
Knowledge of and ability to administer planning programs following legal codes, ordinances, manuals, and state and federal guidelines and standardized accounting procedures and compliance regulations.
Ability to maintain confidential information and cope with unprecedented types of problems by extending accepted planning methods and techniques.
Difficulty of Work and Personal Work RelationshipDifficulty of WorkWork is performed in a modern office environment with no unusual physical demands. Frequent overtime is required as well as attendance to evening meetings. Position holder must often deal with various constituencies in the face of differences of opinion regarding Department policies and procedures. Position needs to effectively supervise and work with employees, including technical and professional staff.
Personal Work RelationshipsMaintains close relationships with the Mayor, department heads, news media, subordinate personnel, federal, state, and local officials, and the general public for the purpose of explanation, interpretation, technical assistance and non-routine problem solving requiring coordination of varied activities. Incumbent needs to communicate effectively and tactfully with a wide range of individuals, including federal, state, and local officials, and members of general public under conditions of potential conflict.
We offer an excellent benefits package to regular full-time and part-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, and personal time off. - Eligible employees receive 13 paid holidays per year. They may earn up to 4 weeks (160 hours) of Paid Time Off in their first year of employment and 5 weeks (200 hours) in their second calendar year of employment.
- The City contributes 100% of the 14.2% of a regular employee's salary to their retirement fund through the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS). Employees may contribute additional pre-taxed dollars to a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan account to supplement their retirement earnings. The City will contribute double the amount of the employee's 457 (b) contribution to a 401(a) account up to $30 per pay.
- Health, vision, and dental insurance premiums are subsidized by the City and are available on day one of employment to regular employees. Employees may elect the High Deductible Insurance plan with the City providing an HSA contribution and if the employee is a non-smoker or participating in the Tobacco Cessation program, the employee only plan is at no cost to the employee.
- Employees and their dependents (ages 3 and up) who are on the City's health insurance may utilize the City Employee Health Clinic.
- Employee Tuition reimbursement plan.*
- Employees may receive over $2,400 per year in HSA contributions and wellness reimbursements, insurance discounts, and incentives.
- The City offers life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, and long term disability insurance at no cost to employees. Employees may elect voluntary term life and short-term disability insurance.
- After 1 year of employment, six weeks of paid parental leave are available to eligible employees.
- Student Loan Forgiveness: The City of Bloomington is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans.*
- City Employees can participate in the Sustainable Commuter Incentive program for financial incentive.
- City Employees are able to ride the Bloomington Transit for free.
*Conditions and restrictions apply.
01
Describe how you meet the minimum knowledge equivalent to a master's degree in planning or related field. If you do not meet the requirement write N/A.
02
Describe how you meet the experience equivalent to over five (5) years, senior level municipal planning. If you do not meet the minimum requirement write N/A.
03
Do you have the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification?
Required Question
