CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT LIAISON
Category: Full-Time
Status: Open
Salary: Min. $52,808 - Mid. $66,011 EFF: 10/1/2026
Published: September 23, 2026
Closing: Until Filled
DEFINITION
Serves as the primary liaison and advocate for applicants, developers, property owners, business owners, consultants, and residents navigating the City's development review and permitting processes. Coordinates and facilitates development projects through all phases of review, providing a high level of customer service while ensuring compliance with applicable City ordinances, development regulations, engineering standards, building codes, and adopted plans.
Acts as a central point of contact and "development concierge" for projects, coordinating communication between applicants and City departments, identifying potential issues early in the review process, facilitating timely resolution of development-related concerns, and promoting a transparent, efficient, and customer-focused development experience. Provides technical assistance related to planning, zoning, permitting, development review, and plan examination processes.
Provides professional-level support to the Director of Planning and Development.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives supervision from the Engineering Manager with additional assistance from the Chief Building Official.
May exercise functional supervision over assigned staff, consultants, interns, and project teams.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Serve as the primary point of contact for development applicants, property owners, business owners, engineers, architects, contractors, and consultants regarding development-related projects.
- Coordinate and facilitate development projects through zoning, platting, site plan review, permitting, infrastructure review, inspections, and certificate of occupancy processes.
- Manage and optimize workflow processes within the Enterprise Permitting & Licensing system, identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing updates to increase operational efficiency and effectiveness.
- Conduct pre-development and pre-application meetings and coordinate participation from multiple City departments and external agencies.
- Coordinate and lead Development Review Committee meetings with internal staff and project applicants for major development projects.
- Guide applicants through applicable development regulations, permitting requirements, review procedures, timelines, and approval processes.
- Monitor project status and proactively communicate review comments, milestones, deadlines, and approval requirements to applicants and stakeholders.
- Act as an ombudsman by identifying barriers to project completion and facilitating solutions between applicants and City departments.
- Respond to inquiries regarding land use, zoning, permitting, development regulations, and project requirements.
- Identify opportunities to improve development review processes, increase efficiency, and enhance customer experience.
- Assist with special projects, process improvement initiatives, ordinance updates, and departmental strategic objectives.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
For indefinite periods of time—mobility within office, field, and meeting environments; walking; standing; sitting; bending; reaching; lifting and carrying up to 20 pounds; reading and reviewing plans and technical documents; operating a personal computer and standard office equipment; driving a motor vehicle through city traffic; communicating effectively with staff, applicants, elected officials, and the public.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of municipal planning and development services.
- Zoning, subdivision, and land development regulations.
- Site development review processes and procedures.
- Building permit review and plan examination principles.
- Construction plans, site plans, plats, surveys, and development documents.
- Municipal development review and permitting practices.
- Customer service and conflict resolution techniques.
- Applicable federal, state, and local regulations affecting land development.
- Public administration principles and project management practices.
- Modern office software, EP&L Permitting System, and development tracking systems.
Ability to:
- Provide exceptional customer service while maintaining regulatory compliance.
- Facilitate and coordinate complex development projects involving multiple stakeholders.
- Read and interpret development plans, construction drawings, plats, surveys, and technical reports.
- Conduct preliminary plan reviews and identify compliance issues.
- Communicate technical information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.
- Analyze development proposals and recommend practical solutions.
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with applicants, consultants, contractors, City staff, elected officials, and the public.
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet established deadlines.
- Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and presentations.
- Exercise sound judgment and discretion in resolving sensitive issues.
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
- Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in municipal planning, development services, permitting, plan review, building inspections, engineering review, project management, or a related field or;
- A Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
- Experience coordinating development projects and interacting directly with applicants, developers, consultants, and the public is preferred.
- Experience conducting plan review or plans examination for site development, building permits, commercial projects, residential projects, or public infrastructure projects is preferred.
- An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES
One or more of the following certifications is preferred:
- International Code Council (ICC) Plans Examiner Certification
- ICC Permit Technician Certification
- Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM)
- American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)
- Certified Building Official (CBO)
- Other development services, permitting, planning, or code administration certifications relevant to the position
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to customer service and process improvement while maintaining the integrity of the City's development regulations. The successful candidate will be collaborative, solution-oriented, technically proficient, and capable of balancing regulatory compliance with economic development and community goals.
*Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.
*Duties, responsibilities and actions may change at any time with or without notice.
The City of La Porte is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Qualified Individuals.
