Department: County of Chelan Community Development
Job Type: Full Time
Salary: $ 9,307.00 – $ 10,774.00 / Monthly DOE
Application Deadline: June 06, 2022, at 5:00 PM

Learn more about this position and apply today at County of Chelan’s Website.

Job Description:

Chelan County is seeking an Administrator to serve as Director of Community Development. The Director provides day to day leadership, management and development of staff in a complex regulatory and work environment. Work involves the exercise of considerable judgment resolving sensitive land use and development issues within guidelines and policies of County Code, State and Federal Laws.  This position is appointed and reports directly to the Board of County Commissioners. The Director is expected to work closely with the Board of Commissioners, the planning and building staff and the community to develop goals, objectives, rules, regulations and policies that achieve quality, sustainable regional development.

Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Ability to work independently and manage personal work schedule to complete time sensitive work assignments.
  • Excels at working in a team. Is patient and objective in difficult situations and with different types of people.
  • Strong organizational, time management and project management skills. Ability to manage multiple and varied tasks in a fast-paced, high-volume regulated environment, highly proficient organizational skills and keen attention to detail.
  • Strong analytical skills, with an ability to troubleshoot, problem-solve and effectively and efficiently make decisions.
  • Improves overall effectiveness by developing and implementing solutions and applying continuous improvement practices to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
  • Ensure ethical conduct at all times. Act with integrity and honesty, abide by all human resource principles and objectives including confidentiality, projecting a positive impression of the County and maintaining a respectful atmosphere.
  • Strong communication skills with external and internal personnel to include:
    • Active listening; articulating clearly and confidently.
    • Strong technical writing skills.
    • Strong business management and people relationship skills used to make decisions on what and when to communicate with others.
    • Communicate non-routine occurrences that may disrupt deadlines immediately to those concerned.
    • Facilitate positive, timely, and appropriate communication amongst management, team and the community. Strive for clarity
  • Continue own education by staying informed of industry trends, learning new skills and sharing relevant information with others. Take advantage of professional development activities when possible.
  • Must successfully manage and administer the assigned annual departmental budget.

Education and Experience:

The successful candidate should have:

  • Five (5) or more years of public or private sector administrative or management experience that demonstrates the required abilities outlined above.
  • A bachelors or master’s degree in urban or regional planning, Planning, Architecture, Business Management, Construction Management, Engineering or related field is required.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is generally performed in an office environment; sitting, standing, walking, and computer use are frequent and can be for extended periods of time; must be able to move from sitting to standing quickly to assist customers; must be able to kneel, stoop, bend, twist, reach and grasp, use small ladders or stepstools, and operate standard office equipment; must have the ability to lift, pull, push and/or carry up to 30 pounds using proper lifting/carrying techniques; must have sufficient vision to read printed materials and computer screen, and adequate hearing and speech to communicate clearly in  person or over the telephone.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the position. Work is performed during periods of high stress and tension, and the ability to remain calm and make critical decisions during high stress periods is vital to the position success.

Essential Functions:

  • Be a proven leader and experienced manager that will facilitate staff development and team building.
  • Be an individual that is vested or ready to commit to Chelan County and become involved in the community. Connection to the Community is important.  
  • Have a proven track record for using resources effectively, always looking for ways to improve efficiency and performance. Encourage staff and the community to provide input and suggestions into system improvements and procedures.
  • Develop programs and implement standards, policies and procedures that encourage operational consistency, predictability and contain costs both to permit applicants and Chelan County.
  • Communicate and work with staff to develop reasonable expectations of productivity and accountability.
  • Model appropriate behavior and professionalism in all aspects of the job.
  • Provide leadership which understands that customer service is a must. This includes understanding of how timeliness of permit processing can impact the success of a project. The director will need to be able to communicate this to employees as well as outside agencies. Accomplishing this will result in Community Development being regarded as an asset and a resource to the community.
  • Develop a sense of trust and respect with staff and the community. Be able to delegate responsibility, support and mentor staff for their decisions within their delegated responsibility. Provide fair appropriate corrective action and education to correct mistakes or deficiencies that develops staff confidence, respect and efficiency.
  • Have a thorough working knowledge of County Codes and Regulations, including The Growth Management Act of Washington State and other laws governing planning, development and environmental regulation. This knowledge can come from experience in either the private or public sector, or both.
  • Represent Chelan County in the community and have the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and written. Also, will have good public speaking skills and be an effective listener and facilitator. Has the ability to develop strong, positive working relationships with diverse individuals and groups, is flexible, negotiates effectively and solicits feedback and input to develop solutions, but can also make the tough call when appropriate.
  • Work with the public resolving complex land use issues. Be able to resolve difficult and sensitive citizen issues and complaints.
  • Have the ability to create accurate and realistic budgets, track and adjust budgets and contribute to long range budget planning and department staffing needs.
  • Identify inconsistencies and unnecessary requirements in the Codes and work with staff, the community and Board of Commissioners to streamline the code and resolve code issues that arise.
  • Knowledge of Washington Law regarding land use statutes and processes and the ability to communicate accurately and timely with county legal staff, understand hearing examiner process and procedures, and appeals.
  • Prepares, defends, presents, facilitates, and monitors the budget and expenditures of the Community Development department.
  • Prepares weekly agenda items for the Board of County Commissioners and presents agenda items and high-level initiatives.
  • Investigates and facilitates disciplinary processes with upper-level management and staff and coordinates with Human Resources as necessary.
  • Interprets, clarifies, and develops administrative codes in consultation with the Board of County Commissioners.  Prepares and implements operational structure to guide staff in the application of the programs and processes of the department.
  • Monitors all programs pertinent to community development and ensures programs are being administered and facilitated accurately and consistently.
  • Reviews department job description, positions, operational resources and recommends recruitment of positions

From the Community Perspective:

The Chelan County Community Development Director will:

  • Administer the code consistently and fairly.
  • Be able to work through difficult and sensitive issues and complaints developing solutions and resolving conflicts.
  • Promote and maintain relationships in the community that promote cooperation and support for process improvements and service to the public.
  • Be able to find the balance that reflects community values, legislative intent of the code and the regulatory aspects of the permitting environment.

From an Employee Perspective:

The Chelan County Community Development Director will:

  • Establish a workplace culture that attracts and retains quality employees.
  • Provides employees feedback on their performance.
  • Rewards hard work and individual effort
  • Focuses on customer service
  • Challenges and develops employee’s job and life skills
  • Employees are provided with the opportunity for personal and professional development.

Additional Information:

Chelan County is seeking a dynamic leader to serve as Director of Community Development. The Director provides day to day leadership, management and development of staff in a complex regulatory and work environment.  The Director is expected to work closely with the Board of Commissioners, the planning and building staff and the community to develop goals, objectives, rules, regulations and policies that achieve quality, sustainable regional development.  In addition to competitive salary and benefits package, relocation reimbursement and housing assistance may be available.

In addition to a competitive starting salary range, Chelan County employees also enjoy outstanding benefits which include medical and dental coverage, 12 holidays and initial vacation leave accrual of 12 days (plus anniversary bonuses), 12 days of sick leave, $175 monthly contribution to Voluntary Employee Benefit Account (VEBA), Washington State Public Employee’s Retirement System, and Deferred Compensation.

How to Apply: 

Submit letter of interest, resume and Chelan County employment application (found on full job listing above) to human.resources@co.chelan.wa.us.