- Jefferson County, WA
- $113,928 – $136,036 DOQ. Salary will increase to $117,346 – $144,321 in 2026.
- Regular, Full-time
The Department & Position Description:
Jefferson County seeks a talented candidate to build upon the good work of the prior Community Development Director, who was selected to become the next County Administrator. DCD comprises four main teams: Permit Center (Front Staff), Building (with Office of the Fire Marshal), Development Review (with Code Compliance), and Long-Range Planning. The mission of the department is to preserve and enhance the quality of life in Jefferson County by promoting a vibrant economy, sound communities, and a healthy environment. The department engages in long-range planning for rural and urban lands, drafts land use policy and regulations, shepherds proposals through the public process, and implements policies and regulations adopted by the Board of County Commissioners. DCD helps individuals, businesses, and communities realize their dreams by administering building and land use permit applications, while ensuring a high quality of life and natural environment. DCD also coordinates with other county departments, state and federal agencies, and tribal nations during permit review. DCD, together with the Planning Commission, forms the county’s Planning Agency.
Reporting to the County Administrator, the Community Development Director will lead a highly energized staff of over 20 FTE with an annual budget of nearly $4 million. The Director organizes and directs the functions of the department; mentors staff and sets the culture and tone for the workplace. The Director is responsible for initiating and sustaining technology and management solutions for effective planning, permitting, and enforcement to maintain and enhance the quality of life in the county. In doing so, the Director will continue Lean-inspired improvement processes to assure efficiency and excellent customer service.
To view the full responsibilities of the position, please view the attachment found here.
The County:
Jefferson County covers 2,183 square miles, stretching from Hood Canal to the Pacific Coast. Elected to four-year terms by the voters of Jefferson County, three County Commissioners comprise the Board of County Commissioners, which serves as the county’s legislative authority. In addition, Jefferson County voters elect their Assessor, Auditor, Clerk, District Court Judge, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, Superior Court Judge, and Treasurer to serve 4-year terms. Jefferson County’s General Fund budget for 2025 is $30 million, and the total budget is $84 million. Jefferson County conducts community planning under Washington State’s Growth Management Act. The County has one incorporated urban growth area –
Port Townsend, an unincorporated urban growth area in Port Hadlock, Master Planned Resorts in
Port Ludlow and Brinnon, several limited areas of more intensive rural development, and designated
resource lands for agriculture, forestry, and mining. Unincorporated, yet well-established communities include Port Hadlock, Irondale, Chimacum, Quilcene, Brinnon, Cape George, Gardiner, and
the West End.
Ideal Candidate Profile:
Education & Experience:
This position requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in urban, regional or environment planning, community development, public administration, or a related field. Candidates must have a minimum of five (5) years progressively responsible experience in a senior-level planning or public administration position, with at least one (1) year as a director or manager. Any combination of experience and education that provides the applicant with the level of required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered. A Master’s degree in a related field and AICP certification and/or a Certified Building Official certificate are preferred. Candidates must possess a valid Washington State Driver License or obtain one within 30 days of employment.
Necessary Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
The ideal candidate will use a strong “help the customer succeed” approach to shape the culture of the department while implementing the county’s progressive development and environmental regulations. A successful leader will also support department staff to increase the timeliness and predictability of development project review whenever possible, while prioritizing safety and compliance with the law. Strong leadership and staff development and people skills, coupled with political savvy and a commitment to public engagement, will be attributes for the preferred candidate.
The ideal candidate will be a systems thinker, and have a track record of success working on a variety
of projects from rural single-family dwellings to large development projects, as well as a working
understanding of the complex factors influencing barriers to affordable development in rural areas.
The ability to recognize that community and economic development in rural areas may appear
to be small in scale, but that a small development change can have big effects in a rural area seeking
economic sustainability, is a plus. Candidates should possess a good knowledge of Washington
State’s legal framework for planning, permitting, and code enforcement, including familiarity with
GMA, SEPA, ICC (building codes, etc.), and the methodology of fire code review.
Respecting and reflecting the diversity of community opinion in the planning and community development process will come easily for the lead candidate. Candidates should also have skill in mentoring and empowering staff to help them grow professionally. Knowledge and experience in Lean
principles and process improvement will be a plus. While presenting calm, confident leadership, the
best candidate will not presume to “know all the answers” and will include department staff in ap
propriate level decision-making. Customer service culture will be a bedrock value of the selected person and the department they lead.
The successful candidate will have integrity, bring creative approaches to problem-solving in a rural area, be a strong advocate for the department and its mission, and will know when to step up to be “the leader in the room” or step back to encourage others, depending on the situation. The candidate will be a team player on the county’s Senior Management Team and with other county departments and will be able to work well with other jurisdictions.
