Salary: $124,346.16 – $167,153.64 Annually
Location: Fife, WA
Job Type: Full-Time, Regular
Job Number: 2023-00069
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 06/01/2023
Closing Date: 6/30/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

Learn more about this position and apply today at the City of Fife’s website.

Job Description:

The city is currently engaged in many exciting projects, including the 2024 comprehensive plan periodic update.  Fife is at the precipice of transportation projects affecting not only the city, but the region and state.  We will become an even more important gateway to the Port of Tacoma as SR 167 breaks ground, bringing more efficient and timely access to the port and the world.  We are looking forward to Sound Transit’s light rail station in the city and the impact not only on transportation, but to economic development with a new light rail station and the design and implementation of a city center around transit.  The new director will be instrumental in establishing a vision for economic development coupled with balancing rapid commercial growth and our residential communities.

Our ideal candidate has the experience to position the department well into the future with skills in long-range planning, land use, building code compliance, customer service and economic development.  This candidate should be a proactive leader – one who anticipates issues, mentors and supervises staff.  Our next community development director should possess the proven ability to move projects and initiatives forward and integrate the planning, building and code compliance operations with economic development and other city departments.  The ideal candidate will successfully guide the city through growth and change encouraging diversity of thought and valuing the opinions of others.  The director must be able to provide and recommend to the city manager and council comprehensive land-use goals and assist in developing strategies for dealing with planning and economic development issues.

After the initial six-month period, this position may be approved for telework on Mondays or Fridays.

Essential Duties:

  • Responsible for the management of the Community Development Department operations and coordination with the City Planning Commission.
  • Coordinate and assure proper implementation, enforcement, and interpretation of environmental regulations, land use, codes applying to the development of public and private property, and planning and zoning; develop plans and policies; determine environmental impacts from development activities.
  • Ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the Permit Center operations and processes; ensures highest level of customer service in response to citizen/developer questions and concerns.
  • Train, mentor and evaluate the performance of assigned staff; interview and select employees and recommend transfers, reassignment, termination and disciplinary actions.
  • Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing; deals tactfully with the public, coworkers, and other City employees, occasionally in difficult customer service situations.
  • Works courteously and effectively with public officials, citizens, contractors, vendors, developers, the City Manager, the Council and other employees both in person and over the telephone; assisting them with a wide variety of information pertaining to the City and department.
  •  Coordinate participation in the development and administration of community plans and policies between City departments and other jurisdictions. 
  • Create an environment where community development supports the economic development of the City and creates understanding for the interconnectedness of land use, environmental and other regulations with the economic development of the City.
  • Serves as the City’s technical advisor and administrator on matters relating to City planning, permitting, land use, and development for both internal and external customers.
  • Direct and provide staff support to the City Council, Planning Commission, the Hearing Examiner, and other appointed boards and commissions, including the preparation of staff reports and presentations.
  • Organize and direct current and long-range planning programs and projects including developing, updating and implementing the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Municipal Code.
  • Present concepts and plans to City Council, community organizations and the development community to promote the City of Fife as a partner in community and economic development activities.
  •  Represent the City and the City’s interests at committee, council and commission meetings;
  • Prepare and present reports and recommendations as directed; explain policies and respond to questions on behalf of the City; attend and conduct a variety of meetings. 
  • Prepare periodic reports relative to project schedules and status; research and prepare technical reports as required on community development activities and projects; initiate or prepare responses to correspondence concerning department activities.
  • Manage department funds, staff resources, materials, facilities, and time to ensure efficient and effective department operations, including preparing and administering the department’s budget and work programs.
  • Provide professional and technical information and consultation on community and economic development issues to the City Manager, Council, departments, advisory commissions, public agencies, businesses and citizens.
  • Coordinate land use activities such as annexations, rezones, and planned unit developments; coordinate with other departments having code enforcement responsibilities and require compliance with existing policy and code.
  • Conduct analysis of technical materials; review staff reports for consistency and compliance with City and department policies and sound planning practices; oversee building permits, land use, planning commission and Board of adjustment records and preparation; prepare permit reports and environmental determinations for permit approval; submit reports to appropriate administrator or agency.
  • Review difficult applications, complaints and concerns from the public; determine resolutions and communicate final determination to affected parties.
  • Collaborate with other City departments, community leaders, business, boards, commissions and outside agencies to resolve problems, coordinate activities, exchange information and provide expertise; explain zoning and planning requirements to the public and promote economic development.
  • Maintain, public records in accordance with the requirements of the WA Public Records Act and WA State Archives retention guidelines.  
  • Partner with department staff to anticipate customer needs and provide high priority, responsive and proactive customer service. 
  • Develop, implement and control approved departmental long – and-short -range goals and objectives.  
  • Confer with City Manager and City Council on administrative matters, legislation and policies, making recommendations for action.
  • Represent the City with agencies such as Sound Transit, Puyallup Tribe, Department of Transportation, State and County agencies   to ensure Fife’s interests are represented.
  • Attends City Council meetings and public hearings, makes public presentations, and responds to questions and comments as appropriate. 
  • Ensures compliance with the statutory requirements relative to environmental issues, directs the preparation and review of environmental impact statements and technical reports, and determines final action on environmental issues; serves as the City’s responsible official for SEPA compliance. 
  • Predictable and regular attendance is required 
  • Independent judgement and discretion required

Education, Experience, and Other Requirements:

  • Any combination equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Urban Planning, Public Administration or related field, and
  • Five years demonstrated supervisory experience in community development, economic development, planning, or code enforcement, and
  • Washington State Driver’s License and driving record acceptable to the City.
  • Please include a resume and cover letter in the attachments section of your application.

Additional Information:

Knowledge of:

  • Extensive knowledge of State and Federal regulations governing Community and Economic Development functions.
  • All aspects of state and federal statutes and regulations relating to planning, zoning, land division, including the WA State Environmental Policy Act, and the WA Growth Management Act.
  • Interrelationships between the City and other governmental agencies.
  • Current planning and zoning development issues, laws, techniques and procedures.
  • The principles and practices of urban planning, land division, land use, zoning, community development, economic development, environmental protection, building construction, code enforcement, and permitting. 
  • The principles and practices of economic development to include but not limited to marketing and business incentives such as Tax Increment (TIF) funding.
  • Fundamentals of GIS and community and economic trend analysis
  • Budget preparation and control. 
  • Sound knowledge of organizational, fiscal, personnel and supervisory practices and principles.. 
  • Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy. 
  • City organization, operations, policies and objectives. 
  • Growth Management Act, SEPA, shoreline management plan and other State environmental laws.
  • Building and municipal codes, and laws, rules and regulations related to assigned activities. 
  • Policies and objectives of assigned program and activities. 
  • Public speaking techniques. 
  • Oral and written communication skills. 
  • Source and availability of planning information, including demographic and economic data, environmental determinants of land use, land development trends and legal requirements.
  • Site design principles and survey theory.
  • Environmental impact assessment.
  • Negotiation and bargaining techniques and procedures.

Ability to:

  • Plan, implement, manage and evaluate a wide variety of simultaneous Community and Economic Development Programs.
  • Work with the business community creating positive partnerships.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, employees, customers, vendors, intergovernmental agencies and the general public.
  • Communicate effectively to a variety of audiences orally and in writing.
  • To understand, create and analyze financial and economic forecast models.
  • Plan, organize, coordinate and direct the City’s community development department.
  • Oversee, coordinate and assure proper implementation and enforcement of codes.
  • Oversee, coordinate and implement established planning goals and objectives.
  • Mentor, supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel.
  • Prepare and deliver oral and written presentations. 
  • Read, understand, analyze and interpret technical materials.
  • Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others. 
  • Maintain records and prepare reports. 
  • Plan and organize work. 
  • Meet schedules and timelines.
  • Interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures. 
  • Maintain current knowledge of program rules, regulations, requirements and restrictions. 
  • Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action. 
  • Work independently with little direction.
  • Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
  • To work outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The City of Fife prohibits discrimination against any individual in regard to hiring, promotion, discipline or other employment practices. Everyone is treated equally regardless of age, gender, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation or the presence of any physical, mental or sensory disability marital or veteran status, or any other basis that is protected by local, state, or federal law.

It is also the desire of the City to reflect the diverse community that we serve. As an organization, we are committed to seeking diverse applicant pools for our vacant positions. We are equally committed to creating a culture that promotes mutual respect, acceptance, cooperation and productivity among diverse people. Toward this end, racial, ethnic, religious or sexual slurs or comments demeaning national origin or individuals with disabilities by any employee to or about any employee, applicant, or the public will not be tolerated.