Director of Community Development

Join our dynamic team as the Director of Community Development! Reporting to the City Manager, you'll lead our Community Development Department, overseeing planning, development services, building codes, permits, and more. Collaborate with other City departments to champion strategic planning, and ensure alignment with City goals. Showcase your leadership, communication, and budget management skills in this pivotal role. Ready to shape our city's future? Apply now to make a lasting impact!

Director of Community Development Flier

Closing Date

Open Until Filled - First Review of applications on May 21, 2024

Nature of Work

Under the general direction of the City Manager, this position plans, directs, manages, and oversees the activities and operations of the Community Development Department. The Community Development Director is responsible for providing leadership and oversight for the operational activities associated with Planning and Development Services Division, Building Division and Codes Administration, including land use, zoning, short and long-range planning, building codes, permits, environmental review, economic development support, and code enforcement, in collaboration with the Police Department. As a City's Leadership Team member, this position is expected to demonstrate and foster excellent communication skills, actively and effectively engage in strategic planning and organizational development, and assist subordinate managers in developing and implementing procedures to accomplish departmental goals and objectives. The work requires independent judgment in developing and interpreting plans, rules, regulations and policies, and considering priorities and policies set forth by the City Manager and City Council. The Community Development Director is expected to understand and support the overarching strategic goals of the City, the nature of budget development and management, and work to balance the Department's needs with available budget resources.

• Plans, organizes, controls, and directs all the activities, services, operations, budget and policy formulation and administration of the Community Development Department, which encompasses land use, zoning, planning, building services, permitting, economic development activities, and other programs in accordance with state and federal laws and city codes.
• Administers the development and implementation of the City's current and long-range strategic plan and short-range goals and objectives; plan reviews; oversees the building inspection, code compliance, and permit processing; and coordinates code enforcement activities with the Police
• Exercises supervision over all employees in assigned areas of responsibility, either directly or indirectly, through supervisors; establishes work priorities; assures efficient and effective use of department employees in assigned activities. Supervises, monitors, and evaluates the performance of direct reports and works with staff to correct any deficiencies. Selects, promotes, and disciplines employees according to established procedures in conjunction with the Human Resources Departments.
• Acts as the City's State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Responsible Official. Reviews and approves City and applicant SEPA reviews including environmental impact statements and mitigation plans for critical
• Prepares, monitors, and controls the biennial department budget; assures department goals, policies, procedures, and operations are maintained within budget limitations; develops and administers departmental grants, as required.
• Participates in the planning, research, analysis, and implementation of a comprehensive economic development program; evaluates program elements for effectiveness; works with internal and external stakeholders to achieve economic development /redevelopment goals.
• Responsible for administrative interpretation and enforcement of all related land use, building, and environmental codes, standards, and regulations; ensures that all new development in the City meets City, state, and federal development, environmental, and Growth Management Act
• Participates in the review and implementation of proposed and adopted state and regional plans and regulations;
• Ensures City regulatory and permit processes meet local, state, and federal regulatory requirements and guidelines; leads improvement efforts for permit processes through procedure and code
• Presents issues and recommendations on major issues requiring policy direction to the City Administration, appropriate advisory bodies, and the City
• Takes a proactive approach towards economic development opportunities and projects for the City. Responds to inquiries with information on the planning process, demographics, real estate market, and public
• Acts as the City's floodplain administrator in consultation with Community Development and Public Works technical staff.
• Keeps informed of new trends, developments, laws, and regulations impacting the Department's activities and comments on legislation as
• Serves as the primary contact for and advisor to various committees, City Council, City Manager, and staff on land use policy issues, planning procedures, special and comprehensive plans, and regulatory ordinances. Attends committee and City Council Meetings; represents the City on regional and state-wide committees and legislative
• Works with representatives from neighboring jurisdictions and regional partners to develop regional land use policies, plans, and/or resolutions of regional land use issues.
• Contributes to the overall quality of the Department's service by developing, reviewing, and implementing policies and procedures to meet legal requirements and City needs; continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs the implementation of
• Participates in emergency management plans and
• Establishes and maintains cooperative, effective working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the general public using principles of good customer
• Reports for scheduled work with regular, reliable and punctual
• Performs other duties as assigned, including but not limited to being assigned to work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, equalize peak work periods, or balance the workload.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Comprehensive knowledge of or ability to become knowledgeable of Washington State laws related to land use planning, building codes, environmental regulations, regional issues, code compliance practices, housing assistance, social services, and economic development practices and
• Knowledge of local economic development principles and practices.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, including addressing large formal and informal groups and facilitating public
• Excellent supervisory skills; ability to hold employees and supervisors accountable for performance goals and contributions to organizational objectives and values; ability to develop and motivate staff and to delegate, supervise, and review staff work.
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, judgment, and organizational skills.
• Strong budget management and reporting
• Understanding the City's political environment and sensitivities and possessing the ability to function effectively within that

Ability to:

• Successfully use and evaluate sustainability principles within the Department and organization-wide.
• Understand how to apply technology and lead efforts to improve efficiency and customer
• Use a computer to perform the essential functions of the position
• Attend meetings for extended periods and to work under time
• Present ideas effectively orally and in writing, producing documents with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation, and
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other City employees/departments, City officials, and the
• Skill in effective, clear, and persuasive oral and written communications to individuals and groups.
• Understanding the City's political environment and sensitivities and possessing the ability to function effectively within that
• Coordinate, organize, and prioritize work and follow directions, instructions, and protocol in the performance of duties
• Make timely decisions by considering relevant factors and evaluating alternatives, exercising discretion, and sound independent
• Create and meet schedules and timelines and work independently with little
• Work effectively in a dynamic environment that is constantly changing, resulting in continually re-evaluating and shifting
• Work independently and within a collaborative team-oriented environment; contribute openly, respectfully disagree, understand the ideas of others, listen well, and work for

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, planning, housing, or a related field required; and
• Six years of municipal administrative experience in community development, including at least two years of supervisory
• Successful completion of a criminal history and background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree,
• American Institute of Certified Planners or Building Official Certificate,

Special Requirements

• Because of the known effects of tobacco use, the City of Des Moines does not hire applicants who use tobacco products.
• Possession of or the ability to obtain and maintain a valid Washington State driver's license throughout employment with a satisfactory driving
• Duties require the willingness and ability to work the hours necessary to accomplish the assigned duties, including evenings and weekends, attend evening meetings, and travel out of town to attend workshops, conferences, and seminars during work and non-work

• Works indoors in a climate-controlled office environment with low noise levels. Constant use of sight, hearing, and speech abilities is necessary to perform essential functions and communicate with others. Constant fine finger manipulation and use of hands and arms in reaching/handling/fingering/grasping while operating office equipment and computers, preparing written documentation, handling paperwork, etc.
• Frequent sitting may be extended at times while doing desk activities. Frequent bending/twisting at waist/knees/neck while working at a desk, worktable, or moving from sitting to standing position. Frequent standing, walking throughout work shifts in office areas and on-site visits.
• Occasional lifting/carrying up to 25-pound documents, materials, file boxes, etc. Occasional pushing/pulling force of up to 10 pounds, opening doors, drawers, and moving materials. Requires mental acuity to ensure thorough mental analysis of situations in a fast-paced

Equal Opportunity Employer

• The City of Des Moines is committed to hiring a diverse workforce and all qualified applicants, including all ethnic backgrounds and persons with disabilities, are encouraged to apply. The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.
• In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, an employer is obligated to make a reasonable accommodation only to the known limitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability. In general, it is the responsibility of the applicant or employee with a disability to inform the employer that an accommodation is needed to participate in the application process, to perform essential job functions or to receive equal benefits and privileges of employment.

General Information

• The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job classification, 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.
• The physical abilities described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The provisions of this job description do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
• Established 2017/Updated 2019/Updated 2024.