Employer: City of Walla Walla
Job Type: Full Time
Division: Development Services
Salary: $101,700 - $123,730
Location: Walla Walla, WA
Opening Date: 11/1/2019
Closing Date: Open until filled

Job Description:

Director of Development Services
Opening Date: November 1, 2019
Salary Range: $101,700 - $123,730
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
First Review of Candidates: December 2, 2019

NATURE OF POSITION

Plan, organize, direct, advise and evaluate the activities of the Development Services Department; administer City-wide long-range and current planning, economic development, building inspection and permitting and development coordination, and other related projects and activities; supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

General direction and oversight is provided by the City Manager.

Job Duties:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Employees of the City of Walla Walla are expected to model and foster the City’s core values: Customer Focus - Excellence – Stewardship - Communication - Leadership - Integrity
  2. Serve as the City’s SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) responsible official.
  3. Develop, recommend and implement long- and short-term plans and activities as well as regional and local policy needs.
  4. Identify and recommend policy options to the Planning Commission in the development, modifications, and implementation of comprehensive plans, development codes, environmental regulations, and other projects of the Development Services Department. Implement programs as directed.
  5. Represent the City and coordinate the resolution of issues and tasks involving City compliance with Washington State laws, especially the Growth Management Act.
  6. Provide technical expertise regarding assigned functions; formulate, develop and propose policies and procedures.
  7. Maintain a working familiarity with statutory requirements, case law directives, professional standards, and applicable Building Codes and regulations.
  8. Drafting ordinances and resolutions as well as other documents for City Council consideration, and provide staff counsel to the City Planning Commission, City Hearing Examiner, and Historic Preservation Commission.
  9. Prepare and update short- and long-range strategic plans to assure the department's contribution to the City's overall plan and strategies.
  10. Operate the city’s permit center in a fiscally responsible manner; ensure department services are available to the public and others.
  11. Serve as a member of the City’s management team and assist in addressing City-wide policy and management issues.
  12. Establish and maintain cooperative, team building, effective, and courteous working relationships with the public, development customers, City staff and agencies in the permit review and decision-making process which is conducive to positive morale and provides responsive customer service.
  13. Provide leadership and direction to staff in the development of short- and long-range plans; in the gathering, interpreting, and preparation of data for studies, reports, and recommendations; and to ensure resolution of difficult technical building and land use issues are addressed in a timely and responsible manner.
  14. Plan, organize, direct, evaluate and coordinate the city’s development services functions; oversee long-range and current planning, analysis and permitting, economic development, building plan review and permitting and inspections and code compliance. Develop or redefine the department's future direction and ways of doing business in response to changing City needs.
  15. Communicate with the City Manager, City departments, City management, staff and external customers to coordinate activities and programs, resolve issues and conflicts and exchange information; maintain public contact for planning review, permits, right-of-way and utility connection activity.
  16. Direct the preparation and maintenance of a variety of narrative and statistical reports, records and files; ensure appropriate record retention.
  17. Provide direct staff input to the City Manager on planning and development issues.
  18. Direct, supervise and appraise the performance of departmental staff; interview and as applicable recommend or act upon selection, transfer, reassignment, promotion, disciplinary action(s) for and termination of employees; recommend/coordinate and arrange for appropriate training of subordinates and allocate necessary resources.
  19. Develop and prepare the annual budget for the Development Services Department; analyze and review budgetary and financial data; monitor and authorize expenditures in accordance with established guidelines. Seek to obtain additional funding resources via contracting, inter-local agreements, and other mechanisms.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

  1. Demonstrate punctual, regular and reliable attendance which is essential for successful job performance.
  2. Present a positive, professional image; maintain cooperative and effective working relationships; assure excellent customer service with internal and external customers.
  3. Execute assignments, projects and job responsibilities efficiently and within defined timeframes; work independently and effectively with little direction.
  4. Demonstrate good judgment and employ critical thinking to execute duties, identify issues, seek solutions and recommend improvements in support of departmental goals.
  5. Provide assistance to staff and higher-level management; participate in resolving operational or interpersonal concerns; participate in training, meetings, and on committees as assigned.
  6. Respect the value of diversity in the workplace and the community.
  7. Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience/Qualifications/Knowledge/Skills:

  • Ability to interpret and comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations, including City policies and procedures, especially relating to land use planning, building and permitting, health and safety, and risk management.
  • Principles and practices of personnel management, supervision and training.
  • Current effective philosophies and methods of planning and development.
  • Grant writing/development/administration processes.
  • Public relations, advertising and marketing theories, and techniques.
  • Research and analysis techniques, methods, procedures, and report presentation
  • Skill in effectively addressing people of various cultural, economic and educational backgrounds.
  • Applicable office automation to include GIS, word processing, spreadsheet and applicable automated presentation software.
  • Effective oral and written communication skills and ability to interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Supplemental Information:

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Computer system and standard program usage, including GIS. Use of a computer terminal, MS Office Suite and permit tracking software.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Hearing and speaking to exchange information and make presentations; seeing to read and analyze complex data; sitting or standing for extended periods of time; walking over rough or uneven surfaces to conduct project inspections; bending at the waist.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Office environment, travel to a variety of locations for site visits or to attend meetings.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination equivalent to:

  • Bachelor's degree in urban planning, architecture, geography or a closely related field.
  • Five or more years of experience in municipal planning and/or community development; three or more years of which has been in a leadership role and supervisory capacity or an equivalent combination of education and experience to provide sufficient evidence of the successful performance of the essential elements of the job such as those listed above.
  • Valid State driver's license.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Master’s Degree preferred.
  • Experience in urban planning of a municipality of 15,000 population or greater and possess certification in the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
  • Bilingual in Spanish.

How to Apply:

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE:

A completed City application and resume are required to apply. Applications are available on the Human Resources page of the City of Walla Walla website: https://wallawallawa.gov.

Applicants whose experience most closely meets the requirements of the position will be invited to continue in the selection process which will consist of an oral panel interview, reference inquiries and may include a criminal background check and consumer report. Completed application packages can be mailed to:

CITY OF WALLA WALLA-HR
15 N. Third Avenue
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Email to
[email protected] or faxed to (509) 524-7935.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:

The City of Walla Walla will provide reasonable accommodation to disabled applicants if requested. Please notify the Human Resources office at least 5 days prior to the need.

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER / AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT EMPLOYERTHE CITY OF WALLA WALLA DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, RELIGION, AGE OR DISABILITY IN EMPLOYMENT OR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES.

MINORITIES AND WOMEN ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

Apply Online