Seattle is a progressive, growing city but its administrative processes for building have become too cumbersome and complicated, hindering our ability to build. Transforming red tape to efficient and effective design review is the challenge facing the city and the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI). SDCI administers city ordinances regulating building construction, the use of land, and housing. It supports key city priorities, including delivering essential city services and building safer, more just communities. We are seeking a transformative leader who believes in the power of government and talents of public employees to solve complex problems efficiently and equitably, to lead SDCI in this work.

SDCI reviews land use and construction-related permits, annually approving more than 55,000 permits and performing approximately 240,000 on-site and 10,000 virtual inspections. SDCI's work includes permit review and community involvement with Master Use Permits (MUPs); shoreline permits and design review; review and approval of permits for construction, mechanical systems, site development, elevators, electrical installation, boilers, furnaces, refrigeration, signs and billboards; field inspections for all construction and trade-related permits; annual maintenance inspections of boilers, elevators, and refrigeration equipment; and home seismic retrofits.

Accountable to the mayor, this cabinet-level position leads a staff of over 460 employees and has administrative oversight of an annual operating budget of $122 million.

Job Responsibilities

The Director of the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI), leads the department's employees in advancing the city's regulatory and compliance functions for building and land use.

The Director is accountable for:

• Investing in Employee Development and Support - Build a supportive work environment that values employees, encourages innovation, and recognizes the complexity of their roles. Ensure workload balance and professional growth opportunities to improve job satisfaction and retention.
• Accelerating Housing Production and Affordability - Support housing creation by clarifying regulations, reducing approval delays, and aligning permitting policies with Seattle's housing and economic development priorities.
• Aligning Regulations and Policies for Clarity and Consistency - Oversee a comprehensive review of outdated or conflicting regulations, harmonize permitting policies across departments, and ensure that rules are clear, consistent, and supportive of housing and business development.
• Enhancing Customer Service and Accessibility - Set clear customer service standards and response time benchmarks, ensuring they are consistently met. Expand virtual support, explore in-person service counters, and implement feedback tools to improve the permitting experience.
• Fostering a Customer-Focused and Innovative Workforce - Promote a culture of problem-solving and innovation by investing in staff training, empowering employees to enhance service delivery, and ensuring consistency in permitting and inspections.
• Leveraging Data and Technology for Efficiency - Implement technology, automation, and data-driven tools to streamline permit reviews, enhance accuracy, and strengthen cross-departmental coordination, making the application process more efficient and user-friendly.
• Streamlining Permitting and Regulatory Processes - Improve efficiency, transparency, and predictability in permitting by eliminating unnecessary barriers, enhancing interdepartmental coordination, and leading the implementation of the Mayor's Permitting and Customer Service Team (PACT), a new centralized approach to permitting and customer service.
• Supporting Small Businesses and Economic Revitalization - Simplify permitting for small businesses, accelerate approvals for vacant storefronts and tenant improvements, and collaborate with the Office of Economic Development to reduce barriers for business owners.

This is an opportunity to lead meaningful change in Seattle's regulatory and permitting processes, ensuring they support a growing, vibrant, and equitable city.

Qualifications:

This critical role requires a pragmatic leader committed to the One Seattle vision of building a thriving, innovative, and equitable city all are proud to call home. The work requires the ability to serve the community by enhancing the capabilities of the department, driving efficiency and continuous improvement, and fostering a culture of employee engagement. The Director must be forward-thinking and innovative, an advocate for sustainable, climate-resilient solutions and adaptive to emerging trends and technologies. Equity centers their decision-making and active engagement with community, staff and stakeholders inform their leadership. To the work they bring a strategic mindset, service delivery acumen and operational expertise complemented by an engaging personal style. The organizations and people they have led are regarded as capable, innovative and trustworthy.

To the work the Director brings a deep understanding of business processes and systems with a history of aligning people to address challenges through collaboration and unified action. A skilled organizational leader, they facilitate swift issue resolution and maintain high service standards. They are a decisive, fair, and diplomatic leader who motivates others, respects diverse perspectives, and ensures equitable and efficient outcomes. Consistency, openness, and responsiveness are priorities, and they personally set the example throughout the organization and community.

Additional Information:

The Director, Seattle Department of Construction and Inspection Services is appointed by the Mayor, confirmed by a majority of the City Council and is subject to reappointment and reconfirmation every four years.