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City of Gig Harbor

Community Development Director

City of Gig Harbor, Gig Harbor, Washington, United States, 98329


Proposed 2025 pay scale (pending council approval):

$145,106 - $176,377Are you a dedicated leader with a passion for community development and building strong relationships? The City of Gig Harbor is seeking a Community Development Director to join our city's executive team. This role offers the opportunity to lead the planning, development, and regulatory functions of our community while fostering collaboration across departments and ensuring exceptional public service. If you are an experienced professional who excels in managing people, driving strategic initiatives, and creating positive partnerships, we invite you to apply and help shape the future of our community.The community development director is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the functions of the community development department including current planning, long range planning, development review, environmental (SEPA) review, shoreline management, construction, and fire inspection, building and fire code administration and enforcement, code compliance, land-use, zoning and permitting. This position establishes and maintains effective working relationships with contractors, government agency personnel, elected and appointed officials, city employees, and the general public.Manages and supervises community development personnel including but not limited to interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; addressing complaints, grievances, and disputes; resolving problems; appraising performance; recommending promotions and disciplinary actions; implementing organizational changes; approving and schedule leave time; and recommending terminations as appropriate.Participates actively on the city's leadership and executive teams and collaborates with the department staff in setting and fulfilling the city's strategic plans and objectives.Leads community development operations in a manner that results in high customer service satisfaction levels, leveraging of resources, and continuous improvement.Plans, assigns, and directs the work of the department through division supervisors and conducts department leadership team meetings for alignment of work efforts.Manages staff in a way that fosters a collaborative, team-oriented environment both within and across departments.Acts as the economic development officer.Prepares, submits, and administers an approved departmental budget including the controls necessary to ensure budgetary compliance and ongoing evaluation of programs, services, and projects for building, planning, fire safety and code enforcement.Leads the development and implementation of strategic plans and master plans, including the development of an annual work plan consistent with the city council's strategic priorities.Leads and directs the ongoing facilitation of the city's planning commission meetings in a proactive and timely manner, ensuring the statutory implementation of development entitlements.Serves as a city representative in presenting, explaining, and discussing the views, interests, and policies of the city to the city council, planning commission, other city boards and commissions, targeted community groups, and other interested parties inside and outside the community.Prepares reports and studies for the city administrator, mayor and city council as scheduled or requested.Makes customer satisfaction a department priority; obtains formal and informal customer feedback confirming the delivery of services meet customers' needs and wants.Provides professional planning and development advice and assistance to the city administrator, mayor, city council, planning commission and other city boards and commissions.Coordinates project, program, contractual and planning activities related to long-range planning and community development issues with other public agencies.Assists in the preparation of ordinances, resolutions, contracts, agreements, covenants, and other legal documents relating to planning, community development and administration and enforcement of city ordinances.Seeks grants and donations in support of the priority planning projects selected by the city council.Coordinates activities related to the city’s publicly owned land and buildings, including acquisition, leases, sales, maintenance, and improvements processes, under the direction of the mayor and/or city administrator.Supports and promotes the city's strategic and operational goals.Maintains punctual and reliable attendance.KEY COMPETENCIESKnowledge of:Business English, including proper spelling and punctuation.Ability to:Communicate effectively with other employees and the public, individually and in groups, verbally in-person and by phone, and in writing.Exercise interpersonal skills including tact, diplomacy, patience, respect, courtesy, and discretion in work, including confidential matters.Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, residents, members of boards and commissions, elected and appointed officials, representatives of other agencies, businesses, and community groups.Effectively present plans, programs, and recommendations to the mayor and city administrator, the city council, and the public.Employ excellent conflict resolution skills to manage and resolve controversial situations.Coordinate and monitor a variety of activities simultaneously and work effectively under pressure with frequent interruptions.Effectively establish, administer, demonstrate, and maintain sound management principles, practices, and methods.Accurately interpret and apply laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures.Use analytical skills and critical thinking to solve problems, make sound decisions, and drive innovation.Act in an ethical and conscientious manner on behalf of the city.WORK ENVIRONMENTThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.Work is primarily performed in a climate-controlled office or conference room setting with a moderate/minimal noise level. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to dissatisfied residents.Schedule:

Typical business hours are Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm. This position is considered essential and will require an on-site presence. Alternative work arrangements may be available as decided by the city administrator following the probationary period.Driving and Travel:

Driving would typically be less than 5 hours a workweek. Travel is required to visit other worksites within the City of Gig Harbor and attend trainings or conferences within or outside the state, up to 5% of the time.PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICSThe physical attributes described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.Sitting and/or standing for extended periods of time. Performs close computer work with repetitive motion for long periods of time; talk, listen, and hear. Required to stand, walk, bend, reach, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Any combination of education, training and experience that indicates the individual can successfully perform the job may be considered.Bachelor’s degree in City and Regional Planning, Urban Planning, Community and Environmental Planning, Architecture, Engineering, Public Administration, or closely related field from an accredited college or university.Master’s degree preferred.Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in professional municipal planning, building, engineering, or community development experience.Two (2) years of experience in a supervisory capacity.Relevant knowledge and experience in: development and implementation of planning, zoning, and community development goals; administration, interpretation and updating of municipal zoning ordinances, land use plans, shoreline plans; building, construction and development activities and processes, application review and development, plan review, permitting and inspections services; code enforcement.Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.CERTIFICATES AND LICENSESThe following certifications and licenses are required for the position (or must be obtained within the timeframe stated) and must be maintained for the duration of employment.A valid Washington State driver’s license (or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire).American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) membership preferred.International City/County Management Association Credentialed Manager (ICMA-CM) preferred.Economic Development or Housing Development Finance Professional certification preferred.Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) preferred.ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTSA history of and ability to maintain safe and responsible driving that meets the city’s motor vehicle record minimum driving requirements.Ability to pass position relevant pre-employment screening.At the City of Gig Harbor, our aim is to extend salary offers that fall within the range from the minimum to the midpoint. These offers will be determined by assessing the applicant's relevant experience in alignment with the requirements of the applied position at the city, alongside a comprehensive evaluation of pay rates for our existing employees engaged in comparable roles. It's important to note that our salary ranges are currently under review and may be subject to adjustment.This position is classified exempt and is not eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).This position is non-represented.If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please contact Human Resources.To be considered you must submit and complete an online application through that reflects all relevant education and experience which addresses how you meet the minimum and/or preferred qualifications for this position.Applications will be screened the week of November 4th.

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