JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Summary:

The Community Development Director operates under the general direction of the City Manager and serves as a member of the City's executive leadership team. The Director is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, and strategic direction of the Community Development Department, including planning, permitting, inspections, code enforcement, and related regulatory functions.

This position provides policy guidance and professional expertise to the City Manager, elected officials, boards, and commissions on land use, development regulations, and growth management matters. The Director oversees departmental operations, budgets, and personnel; ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws; and works collaboratively with other City departments and external agencies to support orderly development, infrastructure coordination, and community planning initiatives.

Essential Functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Direct and oversee the City's community development functions, including planning, permitting, inspections, code enforcement, and related regulatory services.
• Provide strategic leadership and policy direction for land use planning and development consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan and adopted regulations.
• Administer planning, building, and construction inspection services, either directly or through contracted services.
• Lead, supervise, and evaluate department staff, including hiring, performance management, discipline, and termination, in accordance with City policies, procedures, and applicable labor agreements; recommend personnel actions to the City Manager as appropriate.
• Develop, manage, and administer the departmental budget, including reviewing and approving priorities, allocations of funds, staffing, materials, and work plans.
• Participates as a member of the City Leadership Team and is responsible for developing policies and objectives.
• Serve as the City's designated State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Responsible Official; administer SEPA in accordance with adopted City policies, procedures, and delegated authority.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including requirements tied to grant funding, from application through audit.
• Oversee preparation and review of land use plans, development proposals, staff reports, and recommendations for the Planning Commission, Hearing Examiner, City Council, and other decision-making bodies, consistent with delegated authority.
• Administer, interpret, and enforce City ordinances and regulations related to land use and development, including zoning, subdivisions, critical areas, shoreline management, building and construction codes, stormwater regulations, and SEPA, as authorized by law and City policies.
• Manage and implement updates to the Comprehensive Plan; recommend amendments to land use policies, zoning, and development regulations as needed.
• Coordinate community development activities with other City departments to support integrated planning, infrastructure coordination, and service delivery.
• Represent the City in interactions with local, regional, state, and federal agencies and organizations, including Snohomish County, Puget Sound Regional Council, Snohomish County Tomorrow, regional transit agencies, and the WA Department of Commerce.
• Monitors and evaluates legislative and policy developments affecting departmental functions; advises the City Manager, City Council on policy options and implementation strategies.
• Prepare and present ordinances, resolutions, reports, and other materials to the City Council; attend City Council, and other meetings as required.
• Serves as the primary staff liaison to the Planning Commission, coordinating agendas, preparing staff reports, resolutions, and presentation materials, and attending evening or after-hours meetings as required.
• Advise the City Manager, elected officials, boards and commissions, department directors, and the public on land use policy, regulatory matters, and community development issues.
• Fosters an inclusive, respectful workplace culture and ensures departmental practices support equitable service delivery to the community.
• Exercises authority consistent with City policies, ordinances, and delegated authority from the City Manager and governing body.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in urban or regional planning, public administration, community development, business administration, or a related field.
• Seven years of progressively responsible public sector experience in community development, planning, or a closely related field, including three years of experience in a senior leadership or management role with direct supervisory responsibility.
• A master's degree in a related field may substitute for up to two years of the required experience.
• Additional relevant professional experience, including but not limited to certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners, may be substituted for up to two years of the required education, on a case-by-case basis, as determined by the City Manager or designee.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of community development principles and practices, including comprehensive planning, land use regulation, development review, permitting, inspections, code enforcement, and urban design.
• Advanced understanding of applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing land use and development, including the Growth Management Act, SEPA, Shoreline Management Act, critical areas regulations, and building and construction codes.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of public administration, including budgeting, organizational management, policy development, and performance management within a municipal environment.
• Ability to provide executive-level leadership and strategic direction to a multidisciplinary department, including planning, permitting, inspections, and regulatory functions.
• Ability to interpret, apply, and administer complex laws, codes, ordinances, and policies in a consistent, fair, and defensible manner.
• Ability to analyze complex planning, development, and regulatory issues; develop sound policy recommendations; and resolve conflicts involving diverse stakeholder interests.
• Skill in preparing, reviewing, and presenting clear, concise, and well-supported staff reports, ordinances, resolutions, and policy recommendations to the City Manager, Planning Commission, Hearing Examiner, City Council, and the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally, both orally and in writing, with elected officials, boards and commissions, staff, applicants, developers, other agencies, and community members.
• Ability to represent the City effectively in intergovernmental, regional, and public forums.
• Skill in managing departmental budgets, allocating resources, establishing priorities, and ensuring accountability for results.
• Ability to lead, supervise, and evaluate professional, technical, and administrative staff; foster collaboration; and maintain a productive and respectful work environment.
• Ability to plan, organize, and manage multiple projects and priorities in a complex regulatory and political environment.
• Ability and commitment to engage in continuing professional and general education to remain current on emerging issues, best practices, and regulatory changes impacting community development.

BENEFITS

Paid vacation, management leave, sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, group life insurance, WA PERS retirement, Municipal Employees Benefit Trust retirement, Section 125 "Flex" plan, SEction 457 Deferred Compensation programs.

BENEFITS

Paid vacation, management leave, sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, group life insurance, WA PERS retirement, Municipal Employees Benefit Trust retirement, Section 125 "Flex" plan, SEction 457 Deferred Compensation programs.