Category: Anacortes Employment
Salary: $129,238 – $163,528 Annual Salary DOQ
Closing: Open Until Filled
First Review: February 22, 2023

Learn more about this position and apply today at City of Anacortes’ website.

Job Description:

The Director of Planning, Community, and Economic Development plans, organizes, controls, and directs the activities of the Planning & Community Development and Building Departments in accordance with state and federal laws and codes with the mayor’s oversight. This position assures the efficient and economical use of departmental funds, including grant monies, personnel, facilities, and time; and accomplishes short-term and long-range planning. Close working relationships are required in planning-related activities. Requires the ability resolve conflicts and otherwise maintain harmonious relationships in dealing throughout the organization, with developers, property owners, and the general public, to assure that efforts are effectively directed toward achieving the common City goals.

Responsibilities:

  • Plan, organize, control, and direct the activities of the Planning & Community Development and Building Departments in accordance with state and federal laws, and city codes; oversee compliance with Growth Management Act requirements, development review, economic development, permitting and inspection.
  • Develop and implement policies, procedures, and practices for the permitting and inspection function, conduct plan studies, review zoning and other land use ordinances, evaluate proposed annexations; direct planned development and other programs in relation to appropriate ordinances, plans or acts.
  • Oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive economic development program, evaluate program elements for effectiveness, work with various segments of the community in achieving economic development goals and provide information and coordinate requests from prospective businesses.
  • Assess human service needs within the community, work with various service providers to coordinate efforts within the community and make recommendations consistent with city policy.
  • Communicate with City management and other agencies and provide staff support on administrative matters, legislation, and policies; recommend appropriate action to advisory boards, committees, City Council or outside agencies. Provides staff support to the Planning Commission and the City Council by preparation of agendas and issues analyses on behalf of the City staff utilizing consultants, contractors, and other department heads.
  • Serve as SEPA-responsible official and make SEPA determinations of significance, mitigated determinations and non-significance determinations; review and make recommendations on SEPA appeals.
  • Serve as the Shorelines Administrator under the provisions of the City’s Shoreline Master Plan.
  • Serve as the Administrative Official under the provisions of the City’s Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances.
  • Administer consultant contracts, review, and recommend annexation requests and land use actions in accordance with State regulations.
  • Develops and maintains constructive relationships with civic groups regarding planning and community programs and activities.
  • Initiate community interest in planning and community development programs and grant acquisition. Participate in studies regarding acquisition and management of land for City purposes.
  • Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel; select, reassign, promote, and discipline employees according to established procedures; assure efficient and effective use of department employees in assigned activities; receive, evaluate, and resolve complaints related to departmental staff and operations.
  • Prepare, monitor, and control the annual department budget; assure department goals, policies, procedures and operations are maintained within budget limitations; develop and administer departmental grants as required.
  • Develop and implement departmental operating policies and procedures; assure compliance with applicable laws, court decisions and management principles and techniques.
  • Coordinate with City departments regarding the administration and enforcement of planning, zoning, permitting, inspection, and a wide variety of codes and ordinances; coordinate activities with City, State, and federal agencies, property owners, developers and other City departments; provide planning assistance to City departments as needed.
  • Conduct departmental staff meetings as needed; attend management and professional meetings and seminars as required.
  • Prepare and maintain a variety of records and reports related to community development operations and activities; review and edit a variety of reports prepared by departmental staff.
  • Respond to public inquiries; investigate and resolve complaints or refer to appropriate individuals or other City departments for resolution.
  • Participate as a member of the City Management Team to assist in planning, organizing and implementing policies.
  • Attends frequent community meetings as required, often outside regular working hours.
  • Operate a variety of office technology; operate a City vehicle.

Qualifications:

  • Qualified candidates will have a bachelor’s degree in urban planning or closely related field plus 8 years’ experience in urban planning, land use, and community development preferably in a municipal environment with at least five years in a management role or an equivalent combination of related education and experience.
  • Must have or be able to maintain American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification
  • A valid Washington State driver’s license.

Knowledge & Abilities:

Knowledge of:

  • Federal, State, and local land use and environmental law, regulations standards, and principles of land use development.
  • Principles and practices of public administration, planning, budgeting, and personnel.
  • Planning theory and practice.
  • Local economic development principles and practices.
  • Permitting and inspection activities relating to planning, development review, land use and building.
  • Principles of economic development activities of a municipal government.
  • Principles and practices of administration, supervision, and training.
  • Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
  • Budget preparation and control.
  • Oral and written communication skills.
  • City organization, operations, policies, and objectives.
  • Record-keeping techniques.
  • Policies and objectives of assigned program and activities.
  • Human service programs and service delivery systems.

Ability to:

  • Plan, organize, control and direct the activities of the Community Development and Building Department in accordance with State and federal laws, and City codes.
  • Oversee the functions of long-range planning, current planning, and compliance with Growth Management Act requirements, development review, economic development, human services, permitting and inspection.
  • Establish and maintain a comprehensive local economic development program.
  • Develop a coordinated human service activity, negotiate human service contracts, and provide contract compliance and oversight.
  • Ability to effectively administer, supervise, and motivate the department staff in dealing with the public and in the development and implementation of an effective land use system within the City. Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel.
  • Prepare and administer State and federal grants concerning community economic development.
  • Establish budget controls and assure compliance with sound fiscal management policies.
  • Ability to effectively communicate with the City Administration, other officials and agencies, and the public both orally and in writing.
  • Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
  • Work independently with little direction.
  • Plan and organize work.
  • Meet schedules and timelines.
  • Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
  • Read, interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
  • Maintain records and prepare reports.
  • Ability to present ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, to groups and individuals.

Level of Authority:

Individuals in this position are accountable for the efficient and effective performance of the department. The individual is responsible to develop short-term and long-range plans and budgets for community planning & development and building departments for the City with assistance from community groups and state and federal agencies as authorized by the City Council. Reports to the Mayor with activities reviewed for adequacy of professional judgment, compliance with policies and achievement of results consistent with objectives. Operates with appreciable latitude for independent action and decisions commensurate with demonstrated ability. Errors in judgment could have substantial impact on public acceptance of programs and efficient operation of other City departments.

Work Environment:

Work is performed both in an office environment and on-site at project locations, meeting landowners, system operators, designers, project consultants and engineers.

Physical Environment:

Those present in a normal office environment. Visual acuity to read and review plans and conduct inspections, hearing and speaking to exchange information and make presentations, sitting or standing for extended periods of time. Ability to drive a vehicle. Manual dexterity to operate a personal computer.

Benefits:

Benefits include choice between medical plans including health savings accounts with high deductible health plans, flexible spending accounts, prescription plans, dental, orthodontia, & vision, dual insurance incentives for spouses & dependents, choice of Department of Retirement Systems PERS Plan 2 or Plan 3 pension, choice of two deferred compensation programs, vacation beginning at 8 hours/month, sick leave beginning at 1 day/month, bereavement leave, 11 paid holidays, and 3 personal holidays, exchange time accrual, long-term disability, life insurance for employee and dependents, employee assistance program, and fitness reimbursement plans.

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply on our website where all details, qualifications, & benefits are posted. Questions can be directed to Reilly Wynn, Human Resources Director at (360) 588-8299 or reillyw@cityofanacortes.org.

About the City of Anacordes:

Anacortes is a unique, creative, vibrant, and caring maritime waterfront community that supports cultural and economic diversity and vitality, balances sustainable growth with respect for our history, and protects our natural environment and public lands for future generations.

The City of Anacortes operates under a Mayor-Council form of government with seven City Council Members serving 4-year terms. With 225 regular employees, the City of Anacortes is proud to provide essential services for our community, and partner with neighbors our region. The mayor oversees and manages all operations in the City through eleven departments: Planning, Community, and Economic Development, Human Resources, Public Works, Administrative Services including Municipal Fiber, Museum, Fire Department, Police Department, Parks and Recreation, Public Library, Finance, and the City Attorney’s office.

Other:

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this 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. Individual may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is a logical assignment to the position. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

Following an offer of employment, and prior to starting work, individuals may be required to have a pre-employment physical examination by a physician designated by the City of Anacortes. The City will pay for the examination. Satisfactory clearance to perform essential job functions will be required for employment. As an absolute condition of employment, employees are required upon hire to sign a drug-free workplace agreement and an agreement not to use tobacco products in any form while on the job.

The City of Anacortes is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, creed, sex (including pregnancy), age (over 40), marital status, families with children, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, genetic information, sexual orientation including gender identity, or status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, or any other class protected by federal, state, or local law. Accommodations for people with disabilities are provided on request.