Job ID: 1101
Organization: Town of Coupeville
Location: Coupeville, WA
First Review: N/A

Learn more about the position and apply today at Town of Coupeville’s GMP Consultants page.

Job Description:

The Town of Coupeville, WA is seeking a Community Development Director for this tight-knit, historic waterfront community of 1,910 located on pristine Penn Cove in central Whidbey Island. Established in 1853, Coupeville is one of the oldest towns in the state and home to many historic homes, businesses, and buildings. Preservation of these treasures is a high priority.

Reporting to the Mayor, the Community Development Director leads the Planning & Building Department with a 2024 operating budget of $400,000 plus $350,000 in grant awards. The Director supervises a full-time Associate Planner and the .60 FTE Building Official. The Department also has access to 8 hours a week of administrative help. The Planning Director also serves as staff to the Town Council, Planning Commission, and the Historic Preservation Commission.

About the Town of Coupeville:

Incorporated in 1910, the Town of Coupeville is governed by a strong mayor and five-person Town Council. The Town serves a population of 1,910 with a 2024 total budget of $8.3 million and a team of 16 FTEs across three departments: Public Works (8), Finance & Administration (5), and Planning & Building (3). Coupeville contracts for engineering and attorney services and with Island County Sheriff for two full-time officers. 

Essential Duties:

Current Planning:

  • Oversees Planning and Building staff and establishes the strategic direction for the Department.
  • Responds to and serves the public promptly and respectfully.
  • Establishes office policy and procedure and delegates authority to the Assistant or Associate Planner and Building Official.
  • Responsible for final preparation and submission of annual office operating budget and adherence to operating within the financial means authorized by the Mayor and Town Council.
  • Oversees the maintenance of permanent and current records of all applications, hearing and actions concerning planning, zoning and building.
  • Administers and interprets zoning, subdivision and other related ordinance and the comprehensive plan to the general public, developers or other interested parties.
  • Receives, evaluates and processes land use applications, such as conditional use permits, variances, shoreline permits, and plats and presents to the Hearing Examiner.
  • Acts as the Town’s Responsible Official in issuing threshold determinations and carrying out other provisions of SEPA.
  • Serves as the Town’s Floodplain Administrator.
  • Interprets and administers the Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve Design Guidelines and supervises staff support to the Historic Preservation Commission in implementing the Guidelines and the Secretary of Interior guidelines for Historic Preservation.
  • Acts as staff to the Planning Commission.
  • Attends Town Council meetings and gives presentations when required.
  • Reviews building permit applications for zoning compliance.
  • Assists the public with applications and inquiries.
  • Oversees the preparation and management of grants.
  • Drafts policies and regulations.
  • Coordinates with Town staff on development projects.

Comprehensive Planning:

  • Prepares new and revised development regulations as required.
  • Updates long range plans, including the Comprehensive Plan and Shoreline Master Plan as required.
  • Coordinates other studies as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s degree preferred but not required. B.A. in Planning (or equivalent) required. Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in municipal planning involving both short and long-range planning required. Knowledge and familiarity with GMA, SEPA, Historic Preservation and the Shoreline Management Act required. Supervisory experience in a planning related environment required. Ability to interface with public, ability to speak and write clearly, and ability to function calmly in stressful situations required. Computer experience required. AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) membership preferred.

Must have above average verbal and written communications skills, a strong desire to serve the
public in a responsive and creative manner and a commitment to innovative planning.

Working Environment:

Work is performed primarily in a small office environment, as well as occasional site visits in the field. May be required to walk on uneven terrain and work in all types of weather conditions. Work requires adequate hearing to monitor and hear safety warnings on a building site, visual acuity to read and interpret engineered drawings and blueprints and to use a computer.

This employee must have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and be able to handle multiple tasks at one time. Must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Town staff, citizens and other organizations and agencies. Attendance at night meetings is required on a scheduled basis.

Essential Physical Abilities:

  • Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and communicate effectively on the telephone and in person.
  • Sufficient visual acuity, which permits the employee to read and interpret engineered drawings and blueprints, to use a computer and to comprehend written/typed documents and text materials.
  • Sufficient manual dexterity, personal mobility, flexibility, agility and balance, which permits the employee to operate standard office equipment, including a personal computer, and operate a motor vehicle; to sit and work at a keyboard for an extended period time, lift up to 25 pounds, work in an office environment, and make occasional site visits.

The statements contained herein reflect the general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of the job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak periods, or otherwise balance the workload. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The Town of Coupeville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran’s status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.

Note: In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, employment of persons hired by the Town will be contingent upon presentation of acceptable documents verifying the authorization of employment in the United States.