Head of Community Development - Washington State, United States - Kitsap County

Description

Make a difference in your community.
Director of Community Development
Kitsap County is seeking an experienced leader and director for its Department of Community Development (DCD).

This excellent long-term career opportunity will be a great chance for a growth-oriented, staff-development focused leader to help an accomplished team and dynamic community navigate change.

The DCD Director, reporting to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) through the County Administrator, provides accessible, visible community leadership, and staff development and strategic direction to the 78 employees of the department and the department's myriad customers, partners, and stakeholders.

Small communities, friendly people, and miles of waterfront – it's a great place to live, work and play

As more people move to Kitsap County, known for its natural beauty and livable communities, the County faces new challenges, opportunities, and responsibilities.

Diverse and growing unincorporated communities, including the County's largest urban growth area Silverdale and unique small town community Kingston, rely on DCD for their permitting and land use.

In partnership with other government entities in Kitsap County, the County is planning now for how to accommodate significant state-mandated growth targets in housing and population.

Kitsap County DCD has earned national awards for its permitting system, public disclosure request system, risk check program, and its workflow management dashboards.

It has received two Governor's Awards for comprehensive planning efforts and is recognized for its natural resources program by federal and state agencies as a "go to organization" for Puget Sound water quality restoration efforts.

DCD's mission is to foster the development of quality, affordable, safe, and environmentally sound communities. Nearly all employees are Lean Six Sigma trained and have development plans that encourage career growth at all levels. Please learn more about the department at its website .

First, the Director serves as the face of the department to the community, engaging with community stakeholders over key planning and land use initiatives.

Second, the Director must ensure staff are well-resourced, focused, cared for, heard, and considered, so all work together to execute the department's strategic work plans.

This position is perfect for those who relish challenges, value public service, and who want to make a visible and lasting impact on local communities in alignment with the Board's values of Integrity, Welcoming, Professionalism, Accountability, Responsiveness, and Efficiency.

Kitsap is poised to grow in the coming decade, as residents leave surrounding Puget Sound counties to enjoy Kitsap's quality of life and housing market.

Some of the challenges include working to implement new regulatory requirements in a way that balances state mandates with maintaining housing affordability and quality of life.

Further, as the impacts of climate change become clearer, climate hazards will need to inform planning efforts to foster resiliency.

Finally, the department needs to be able to provide leadership on zoning and code revisions that will help to achieve a more integrated, livable built forms in Kitsap County's urbanizing communities, while maintain natural systems and resource lads that the residents value.

The Department has many qualified, experienced staff members who care very deeply for the Kitsap County community and about doing their jobs well and professionally.

Alongside this, the County, returning from the COVID-19 pandemic, would like to build stronger connections through quality, in-person customer service and community engagement.

2025 is planned to be a significant year of community engagement with an emphasis on Kitsap's unincorporated area Silverdale and environmental assets in a "Year of the Rural." Community needs will be mediation, strategic planning, thoughtful discussions of character, public participation and customer service.

The Community Development Director leads, plans, organizes, and directs the activities of the Department including Permit Services, Planning & Environmental Services, Development Engineering, and Building and Fire Safety.

The Director is responsible for the departments Management/Leadership, ensuring that the department fosters a culture of innovation and continuous improvement to meet customer need and achieve the Board of County Commissioners stated goals and policy direction.

Typical duties involve staff supervision, departmental policy management, workload/ resource leveling, executive advisory, contract administration, budget, regulation compliance, departmental records and reporting, stake holder collaboration and regional coordination.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR PERFORMANCE OF THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Bachelor's degree in public administration, Planning (Land Use, Urban, Environmental, Long, Current) or closely related field from a college or university accredited by the US Department of Education, and

Ten years of progressively responsible professional level experience in a public planning position, including three years of supervisory and managerial responsibilities is required; Master's degree Public Administration, Political Science, Community Planning, Environmental Planning, or closely related field.

Certification as a building official, planner, or professional engineer.
ICC (International Code Council) certification, or

The successful incumbent must obtain a valid Washington State Driver's License prior to hire and maintain a satisfactory driving record as outlined in the Kitsap County Vehicle Use Policy.

If driving on county business the incumbent must meet and follow the Fleet Risk Control Policies to operate a motor vehicle on County Business.

The successful incumbent will access to a secured/confidential facility or computer system(s).

As a result, Kitsap County will be conducting an extensive criminal background check by law enforcement agencies, which may include fingerprinting.

# Kitsap County provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)
~ The duties in this position are performed in an office setting and may be required to lift at least 20 pounds.

Plans, organizes, controls, integrates, and evaluates the work of the Department of

Community Development:

develops, implements, and monitors day to day and long-term plans, goals and objectives focused on achieving the community's priorities as conveyed through the Board of County Commissioners' mission, vision and values linked here.

Provides managerial assistance to subordinates in planning and implementing programs.

Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the performance of department staff; establishes performance requirements and personal development targets; regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development.

Reports on performance and coordinates with HR and County Administrator on personnel changes, growth, and management.

Leadership :

Provides leadership to develop and retain highly competent, public service-oriented staff through strategy development, recruitment, selection, compensation, training, and day-to-day management practices that support the County's mission and values.

Identifies specific training needs and gaps within teams and creates plans to remedy.

Community Role :

Represents the County and department in the community; informs and advises community groups, as well as the County Administrator and Board of County Commissioners, on local and regional community development, environmental and infrastructure planning issues.

Monitors national and state-wide developments in building, planning, economic and community development matters; evaluates their impact on County programs and operations; implements departmental process improvement where warranted; Lead staff to exercise thorough, thoughtful, and helpful expertise about building and planning requirements and/or services to all customers in a friendly, open, and unbiased manner.

Code Interpretation :

Offers and facilitates guidance to County staff members to support clarity, fairness and consistency across the Department in decisions related to application of building and land use codes.

Includes Fire Marshal's office, land use, building inspection, development assistance and other development-related work units.

Develops and administers departmental budget, including the forecasting of funds for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies, and monitoring of expenses.

Collaborating with key stakeholders, and effectively and proactively communicating with customers on the status of major projects and initiatives.

Innovation :

Identifying customers thoughtfully and fostering a culture of innovation to continuously improve on meeting current and emerging customer needs and community engagement expectations.

Process Improvement :

Develops and monitors processes and procedures controlling permit applications, plan review, building inspection, and code enforcement; review development approval/denial and the development of recommendation reports and letters.

Legislative Review :

Reviews and monitors proposed changes to federal, state, and local laws to determine their impact on departmental policies and practices; Project Management : Plans and directs current and long-range projects related to comprehensive and current planning, zoning, subdivision activities, environmental analysis, building, and code enforcement.

Anticipates planning and zoning needs, coordinate with other Directors/disciplines, and facilitates current and long-range planning efforts to develop and implement the City's strategic vision.

Applications will be screened for qualifications and completion of all the required materials and forms.

The most competitive applicants may be contacted for further steps in the selection process, which may include testing for office and computer skills.

This position is classified as exempt from overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

Internal applicants should be aware that a change in union status or bargaining unit may impact your benefits and accruals.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please contact our Human Resources Office.

Work hours for this position are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – Application Process
Persons interested in this position should upload a cover letter and current resume when submitting your application. We will provide aid in the recruitment, application, and selection process to applicants with disabilities who require such assistance.
The annual salary range for this position is $138k - $177K. Benefits include generous leave, highly subsidized health insurance and participation in the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System. The first review of applications will start on Monday, May 20, 2024.

After the initial review, the first round of interviews will be scheduled, and applications will continue to be reviewed weekly.