The Greater Bridgeport Regional Planning Agency (GBRPA) is one of Connecticut’s designated metropolitan region planning agencies as well as the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) including the state’s largest city and other five (5) suburban municipalities. The Greater Bridgeport Urbanized Region is located in Fairfield County, about 50 miles from New York City.
GBRPA seeks an Executive Director to head a professional staff team of this public regional planning agency and MPO serving an 18-Member Policy Board composed of state and local governmental representatives from six municipalities in Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull.
The current Executive Director is retiring after 27+ years service as the Director with 35+ years in the city and regional planning professional field in other states. GBRPA seeks an executive level planning manager and administrator with an advanced degree in city/regional planning or engineering and at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in similar management positions of a middle or larger planning or development public agency required.
Financial and policy knowledge of land use, transportation, environmental protection, housing, homeland security and economic development are highly important, in the federal, state and local levels. Ability to manage and implement multiple complex projects/programs and services, as well as in a timely manner through seasoned and capable technical staff is critical. The starting salary for the Executive Director is set by the Agency Board and will be market competitive depending upon qualifications, experience and salaried history of the selected individual. In addition, an excellent fringe benefit package will be provided. Confidential resumes should be submitted by Friday, November 30, 2007 to:
The Selection Committee for the Executive Director
Greater Bridgeport Regional Planning Agency
Transportation Center, 525 Water Street
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Telephone: (203) 366-5405
Fax: (203) 366-8437
Website: www.gbrpa.org
For more Recruitment Profile information, please contact the GBRPA office at (203) 366-5405 or jtw@gbrpa.org.
An Equal Opportunity Employer.
RECRUITMENT PROFILE - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
September 28, 2007
PURPOSE
This Recruitment Profile provides background information on the Greater Bridgeport Regional Planning Agency (GBRPA) and outlines desired factors of qualification and experience for candidates for the Executive Director position. The profile was prepared following discussions and interviews with the Selection Committee of the Agency Board, as well as from a review of written materials relevant to GBRPA and the Executive Director position.
This Profile will be used as a guide in the recruitment process, providing specific criteria by which applications will be screened and individuals are selected for final interview and appointment consideration.
All inquiries relating to the recruitment and selection process for the Executive Director position are to be directed to the attention of the Selection Committee:
The Selection Committee for the Executive Director
Greater Bridgeport Regional Planning Agency Board
525 Water Street, Transportation Center, Suite 301
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Telephone: (203) 366 - 5405
Fax: (203) 366 - 8437
Website: www.gbrpa.org
BACKGROUND
The Greater Bridgeport Regional Planning Agency (GBRPA) has served the Greater Bridgeport Planning Region for more than 40 years and it is the federally-designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the region, which works to foster regional cooperation in six (6)-municipality region. Representatives from the city, town and state agencies work together to address key issues, including land use, environmental protection, transportation, emergency planning, housing, economic development, information and technology sharing.
The Greater Bridgeport Planning Region consists of six city/towns in a metropolitan area located on Long Island Sound in eastern Fairfield County. The member municipalities – Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull – over 146 square miles and have a population over 300,000. The Greater Bridgeport Planning Region is one of 15 Planning Regions designated by the State. The City of Bridgeport is the largest city in Connecticut. First colonized in the early 1600s, the region has involved into an urban-suburban area with the most intensive development along the coast. The Connecticut Turnpike, the Northeast Corridor Railroad, Bridgeport Harbor and Sikorsky Airport provide excellent transportation access to major market areas. The region is 50 miles from New York City and about 150 miles from Boston.
The natural features of the Greater Bridgeport Planning Region are rich and varied, with coastal beaches, marshlands, coastal terrain, rolling hills, and steeper terrain with elevations up to 700 feet. Long Island Sound, contributing to the livelihood as well as the quality of life of the region, is the dominant feature.
Each municipality is unique. Their distinctive characters rang from the highly developed urban employment center to the sparsely populated rural residential community. Other important facts about the history and current state of the region are as follows:
- Bridgeport is the largest city in Connecticut. Prior to WWII, the City was ranked the third largest industrial city in the country.
- There are four institutions of higher education located within the Region; Fairfield University, University of Bridgeport, Sacred Heart University, and Housatonic Community College.
- The Port of Bridgeport, run by the Bridgeport Port Authority, is the only municipal port authority in the State.
- The City of Bridgeport is the site of Bridgeport Hospital, St. Vincent’s Hospital, and the Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center.
- A regional airport is located in Stratford but operated by the City of Bridgeport.
- New Haven Line Commuter Train serves between New York City and Fairfield, Bridgeport and Stratford.
- Ferry service is provided between Bridgeport and Port Jefferson.
MISSION STATEMENT
Established in 1960, each membership joined by ordinance under the State Enabling Act of Connecticut General Statutes, Chapter 127.
GBRPA provides comprehensive, coordinated planning for the orderly growth and development of the region. The Agency mission is to proactively shape a comprehensive vision for the region’s future growth. GBRPA will do so by providing technical assistance and services; conducing high priority studies that respond to the requests and demands of member municipalities, fostering cooperation among various constituencies to forge a consensus on diverse regional issues; deferring and meeting the needs of the private sector; and continuing public outreach efforts that promote two-way communication and enhance public awareness of regional issues.
GOVERNANCE
All activities of the Agency are directed by an 18-member Board, which establishes
Agency By-Laws and regional policy, defines committee duties, and adopts the annual work program. The six (6) membership municipalities designate a total of eighteen (18) representatives as Agency Board representatives according to census population size in each municipality. Each municipality has a slightly different approach as to how the members are appointed, but in all cases, the local Planning and Zoning Commission must make one appointment.
The Agency Board appoints the Executive Director upon the recommendation of the six-member Executive Committee. The Executive Committee oversees general operations and fiscal matters. Members of the Agency Board are the following:
City of Bridgeport 5
Town of Easton 2
Town of Fairfield 3
Town of Monroe 2
Town of Stratford 3
Town of Trumbull 3
Total 18
The Executive Committee consists of the following members:
Chairman
Vice-Chairman
Treasurer
Secretary
Two non-officer representatives
The Agency Executive Director, who is the Chief Executive Office of the Agency and is in charge of day-to-day operations.
STAFF AND FINANCES
At present, the Agency employs professional planners and engineers to provide the following functional planning areas:
Land use planning
Transportation (highway, transit, water and airport)
Environmental (including are and water quality)
Economic Development
Housing
Traffic Engineering
Homeland Security Planning
The Agency also has support staff to cover the office service functions:
Graphic Mapping
Accounting and Bookkeeping
Secretarial Work
GIS System and Computer Modeling
The FY 2008 Agency Operational Budget is $800,000; regional capital funds are not included. Operational revenue sources from FHWA, FTA, ConnDOT, State and member municipalities.
Additional information regarding the Great Bridgeport Regional Planning Agency and the area in general can be found at the Agency’s website: www.gbrpa.org.
ISSUES AND CHALLENGES
While continuing current and on-going programs as set forth in the current and proposed work programs and long range references above, the GBRPA expects to address a number of important issues and challenges in the next several years. Some issues to broad policy matters.
- Continue to raise revenue from existing agencies and organizations and look to broaden the base of funding.
- As new funding and programs are achieved, find ways to increase the local matching funds for the new programs. Especially federal/state mandated new programs and services.
- Evaluate the organizational structure and make changes as necessary to ensure effectiveness of staff services due to federal census changes of urbanization areas and funding programs/services.
- Provide programs and services that meet the needs of member governments, reduce costs, and take advantage of multi-jurisdictional economic strength and economies of scale.
- Look at ways to work with the Agency Board to prudently broaden the mission of the GBRPA into other program areas which cut across jurisdictional lines and affect the entire region; i.e. ADA, homeland security, emergency management, social services, etc.
- Mesh the GBRPA vision with the central city and suburban.
- Continue to develop the economic development component of the Agency, coordinate economic development with existing private, non –for-profit, and public organizations.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Executive Director is appointed by the Agency Board upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee and serves at the pleasure of the Agency Board. In summary, the Executive Director has the following duties and responsibilities:
- Serves as Chief Administrative Officer of the Agency Board
- Appoints and reassigns the staff of the Agency according to the Agency’s Policy.
- Proposes and administers an annual budget.
- Submits to the Agency Board, annually, or more often if required, a status report on the operation of the Agency.
- Administers the formulation of long-range agency objectives and policies for Agency Board approval.
- Directs the conduct of all Agency programs including, but not limited to, public information activities, administrative services, technical studies, and EEO/Affirmative Action Program.
- Performs other duties and may exercise other power that the Agency or Executive Committee may delegate.
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA
The following factors of education, experience, management style, and personal traits are considered ideal qualifications and attributes for GBRPA’s next Executive Director. The Executive Director will need to possess a background of experience and skills necessary to provide balance of strong leadership with a collaborative approach to working with elected and appointed officials of municipalities, state and federal agencies and legislators. In addition, the ability to work effectively with the business community and a wide variety of organizations and institutions is critical. Previous regional planning agencies experience is important. Salary for the position is negotiable, depending upon experience and qualifications.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- Possession of a baccalaureate degree in City or Regional Planning, Engineering, or Architectures is required, and advanced degree(s) in the related fields is highly desired.
- Have a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible, executive-level administrative management experience, preferably in a similar regional organization which has successfully dealt with regional issues and program.
- Have direct supervisory and management experience of subordinate personnel, preferably in an organization similar in size and scope as the GBRPA.
- A qualified member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.
PROFESSIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT
The following, or similar, text has been released for insertion in appropriate professional publications and internet sites.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Greater Bridgeport Regional Planning Agency, Connecticut
The Greater Bridgeport Regional Planning Agency (GBRPA) is one of Connecticut designated metropolitan region planning agencies as well as the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) including the state’s largest city and other five (5) suburban municipalities. The Greater Bridgeport Urbanized Region is located in Fairfield County, about 50 miles from New York City.
GBRPA seeks an Executive Director to head a professional staff team of this public regional planning agency and MPO serve an 18-Member Policy Board composed of state and local governmental representatives from six municipalities in Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull.
The current Executive Director retiring after 27+ years of services as the Director and 35+ years in the city and regional planning professional field in the other states.. GBRPA seeks an executive level planning manager and administrator with an advanced degree in city/regional planning or engineering and at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in the similar management positions of a middle or larger planning or development public agency required.
Financial and policy knowledge of land use, transportation, environmental protection, housing, homeland security and economic development is highly important, in the federal, state and local levels. Ability to manage and implement multiple complex projects/programs and services, as well as in a timely manner through seasoned and capable technical staff critical. The starting salary for the Executive Director is set by the Agency Board and will be market competitive depending upon qualifications , experience and salaried history of the selected individual. In addition, an excellent fringe benefit package will be provided. Confidential resumes should be submitted to:
The Selection Committee for the Executive Director
Greater Bridgeport Regional Planning Agency
Transportation Center, 525 Water Street
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Telephone: (203) 366-5405
Fax: (203) 366-8437
Website: www.GBRPA.ORG.
For more Recruitment Profile information, please contact GBRPA office at (203) 366-5405 or jtw@gbrpa.org.
FRINGLE BENEFIT PACKAGE SUMMARY
Health Insurance: Regular full-time employees and their dependents are insured through HealthNet. This plan is one of the largest health plans in the tri-state area, serving over one million members. The Agency offers partial reimbursement for co-pays to physician office visits and prescriptions.
Dental Insurance: The Agency's dental insurance is provided by The Guardian Insurance and is available to all full-time regular employees and their dependents.
Retirement Plan: After successfully completing the six-month probation period, all regular full-time employees may enroll in the ICMA Retirement Corporation's Pension Plan offered by the Agency. This plan requires a mandatory 2% earnings contribution by the employee, but employees may choose to voluntarily contribute up to a maximum of 5%. The Agency provides a 5% employer contribution.
Unemployment Compensation: This benefit provides unemployment compensation to all employees as stated by regulations governed by the State of Connecticut.
Metropolitan Life Annuity: A voluntary tax deferred annuity package is available to all regular employees. This plan is administered by the Agency with 100% employee contribution.
LEAVE
Vacation Leave: Regular full-time employees may earn vacation leave as follows:
- Staff members with less than two (2) years of service earn ten (10) days per year.
- Staff members with over two (2) years of service, but less than five (5) years earn fifteen (15) days per year.
- Staff members with over five (5) years of service earn twenty (20) days per year.
Sick Leave: Regular full-time employees earn thirteen (13) sick days per year for reasons of illness or medical appointments.
Personal Leave: Regular full-time employees may take up to three (3) days of personal per year to meet unexpected demands.
Holidays: Regular full-time employees receive thirteen (13) paid holidays.
Professional Membership: The Agency offers paid memberships in an appropriate professional organization for regular full-time employees.
