AUBURN — The city named Eric Cousens its new executive director of Public Services, a promotion that comes with some further departmental restructuring.

As part of the promotion, the former longtime planning director will bring the planning and code department and economic development team led by Jay Brenchick under the Public Services umbrella.

City Manager Phil Crowell said the restructuring will better align departments that work closely together and “provide for efficiencies.”

“The timing of these changes is pivotal for Auburn as we experience growth and amazing initiatives,” he said in a news release. “Soon we will begin our search for a new planning director as well as a long-range city planner.”

The announcement last week of Cousens’ promotion came after former Public Services Director Denis D’Auteuil was named deputy city manager in July.

Cousens has been employed in Auburn in multiple roles in the planning department since 2006, moving from city planner to deputy director to director.

“Eric’s dedication to our city is inspiring, not to mention his depth of knowledge and vision,” Crowell said. “He is a talented and thoughtful planner, economic development professional, and leader. He cares deeply about Auburn, its future, and its people.”

Cousens is a Maine native and graduate of the University of Maine, with more than 20 years of experience in municipal government.

“I’m proud to serve this city,” Cousens said. “This was the first community in Maine to have a comprehensive plan (1919), and I think Auburn has led the way in planning and strategic growth ever since.”

As part of the restructuring, Deputy Director of Planning John Blais will join Cousens on the Public Services team. Blais and Brenchick will join Director of Engineering Dan Goyette, Transportation Systems Director Jonathan LaBonté, and the new director of planning, who the city will hire in the coming weeks.

Crowell said Blais will oversee the code department, as well as project management, including $7 million in grant-funded projects such as the Little Androscoggin Dam removal and Riverwalk improvements, the new fire station in New Auburn and the Public Safety Building which total over $40 million, and more than $8 million worth of road improvements.

Cousens said the Public Services model “allows us to better coordinate our planning, transportation, economic development, engineering, and capital investment efforts.”

“We work hard to get the most benefit from limited resources,” he said. “I’m fortunate to work with such a talented team of professionals and I’m excited about this new role.”