Salary: $110,520 – $119,748
First Review of Applications: June 12, 2022
Close Date: Open Until Filled
Learn more about this position and apply today on Douglas County’s Open Recruitments page.
Job Description:
Douglas County, pop. 43,696, is located near the geographic center of Washington and is comprised of the cities and towns of East Wenatchee, the county’s largest city, Rock Island, Orondo, Waterville, the county seat, Mansfield and Bridgeport. The primary industry in the county is agriculture, along with associated industries such as packaging, warehousing, shipping and processing. Douglas County is bordered by the Columbia River and several lakes which offer boating, fishing, and other water sports. The area offers a number of other outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, biking, hunting, and skiing, all within a short distance.
Douglas County is governed by a three-member Board of Commissioners and employs 214 FTEs and operates on a total budget of $45,000,000. Elected departments include the Assessor, Auditor, Clerk, District Court Judge, Sheriff, Superior Court Judge, and Treasurer. The Commissioners oversee the following departments: Land Services (Planning), Transportation, MIS (IT), Countywide Solid Waste, Developmental Disabilities, Facilities, Douglas County Fair, and Office of Public Defense.
The Planning & Economic Development Director directly reports to the County Administrator and serves at the will of the Board of Commissioners. The Director oversees the planning and building department’s budget of $2,200,000 and supervises 9 FTEs. The department is divided into three divisions, which include Building Services, Current Planning & Zoning, and Long-Range Planning. The Director assesses community and development needs, plans and implements economic development initiatives, and develops, directs, and coordinates the Land Services Department, encompassing planning, building, code enforcement, and economic development. The Director provides leadership and vision for long-range planning, current planning, permitting services, comprehensive and special plans, regulation development and building construction inspection for the Land Services Department. The position assures that plans and regulations associated with planning, building and life safety are in compliance with Federal, State and local laws.
It is preferred that the ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in planning, or other closely related degree, coupled with years of upper-level planning experience. Related degree fields would include, but are not limited to, public administration, business management, or economic development. The ideal candidate has 4-6 years of work experience in a managerial capacity in building, planning, code compliance, or related field, which must include at least 3 years in a supervisory capacity or a combination of education, training, and experience. American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certificate or Building Official certification from the International Congress of Building Officials (ICBO) is preferred but not required. This position may serve as the building official for Douglas County. Therefore, knowledge of current building construction methods, materials, tools and equipment is preferred.
