Economic Development Assistant Jobs in Rhode Island

Position: Assistant Planning Director

Department: Planning & Economic Development

Employment Status: Non-Union

Reports To: Director of Planning & Economic Development

This position functions as the Town’s senior professional planner and principal deputy to the Director of Planning and Economic Development. The Assistant Planning Director exercises substantial independent judgment in managing development review, long-range planning initiatives, policy development, and departmental operations. The position serves in an acting capacity in the absence of the Director as assigned and represents the Department before boards, commissions, the Town Council, other departments, and external agencies.

The Assistant Planning Director is responsible for co‑leading major planning initiatives, ensuring high‑quality and timely administration of regulatory processes, supervising planning staff as assigned, and maintaining continuity of Planning Department operations. The position requires advanced professional judgment, strong written and verbal communication skills, and demonstrated leadership capacity in both policy and operational contexts.

• Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (½ Lunch)
• Tuesday – 8:30 am – 6:00 pm (½ Lunch)
• Friday – 8:30 am – 12:00 pm

1. Serve in an acting capacity for the Director of Planning and Economic Development during absences or as delegated, including representing the Department before boards, commissions, the Town Council, interdepartmental meetings, and external agencies.
2. Co‑lead and coordinate long‑range planning initiatives, including comprehensive plan updates, implementation programs, subarea or corridor studies, ordinance modernization efforts, and strategic planning projects. Conduct advanced policy research and guide board and public deliberations related to major planning initiatives.
3. Conduct policy analysis and prepare draft ordinance amendments, regulatory revisions, and related legislative materials. Provide technical recommendations to the Planning Board and Town Council regarding land use regulations, policy changes, and implementation strategies.
4. Lead preparation, drafting, and coordination of professional staff reports, memoranda, findings of fact, and recommendations for the Planning Board, Town Council, Economic Development Commission, and other boards and commissions, including reports for complex or controversial development proposals.
5. Serve as a principal staff resource for development review, including interpretation and application of zoning ordinances, subdivision and land development regulations, comprehensive plan policies, and applicable State statutes.
6. Independently prepare and finalize meeting agendas, public notices, decision documents, and related materials, ensuring compliance with Town and State requirements.
7. Maintain oversight of project tracking, application intake, fee records, statutory deadlines, and case files to ensure procedural compliance and timely decision‑making.
8. Provide direct supervision of assigned planning staff, including work assignment, performance evaluation, coaching, and professional development. Establish and maintain quality‑control standards to ensure consistency and professional excellence across departmental work products.
9. Coordinate and support Technical Review Committee activities and serve as liaison to reviewing agencies and interdepartmental partners on planning, infrastructure, regulatory, and economic development initiatives.
10. Design and implement public engagement strategies related to planning and development initiatives, including public workshops, stakeholder meetings, and informational materials. Provide clear and professional explanations of planning processes and regulatory requirements to residents, applicants, and public officials.
11. Assist in departmental budgeting, annual work program development, staffing planning, and operational management to ensure efficient and effective delivery of planning services.
12. Support grant identification, application preparation, project administration, and reporting requirements related to planning and economic development initiatives.
13. Perform departmental administrative and operational functions necessary to maintain continuity of operations during periods of limited staffing or organizational transition.
14. Perform other related duties and projects as assigned by the Director of Planning and Economic Development.

• A bachelor’s degree in urban planning, community planning, public administration, geography, or a closely related field is required. A Master’s degree in planning or a related discipline is preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional planning experience, including experience in development review, zoning administration, staff report preparation, and interaction with municipal boards or commissions. Experience in a municipal planning department is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in long‑range planning, comprehensive plan development, policy analysis, and implementation of planning initiatives.
• Demonstrated supervisory or team leadership experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to produce clear, accurate, and professional written materials for public officials and decision‑making bodies.
• Demonstrated organizational ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and statutory deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and standard business software.
• Familiarity with GIS, permitting software, project tracking systems, and emerging technologies such as generative AI tools is desirable.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.

1. Evening meeting attendance is required as necessary to support assigned boards, commissions, and public engagement activities.
2. This position may assume additional administrative, coordination, or operational responsibilities during periods of limited staffing to ensure continuity of Planning Department functions.

Duties are performed in a busy, weather‑controlled office environment. Evening and occasional additional hours may be required to meet project deadlines or attend public meetings.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants who are unable to meet one or more requirements.

The Town of Smithfield is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Town is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The Town of Smithfield encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process upon request.