Director of Community & Economic Development - Sequim, Washington
About Sequim: In the “rain shadow” of the Olympic Peninsula, Sequim’s unique location offers spectacular coastal and mountain scenery and activities for people of all ages and interests. With an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, Sequim is perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking in local parks, wandering fragrant lavender fields, beachcombing on the coast, or biking the Olympic Discovery Trail. Even on rainy days, visitors and locals alike enjoy the vibrant local arts and food scene, which includes live theater & music, galleries, farm-fresh produce, Dungeness crab, hand-crafted coffee roasters and innovative restaurants. Sequim is the ideal springboard to explore the breathtaking Olympic National Park and nearby Victoria, Canada. For a day or a lifetime, there are endless opportunities for discovery in Sequim.
Job Summary
Directly reporting to the City Manager and performing an integral role on the Senior Management Team, the Director of Community & Economic Development manages, directs, and supervises the activities of assigned departments and divisions in the City of Sequim. Areas of responsibility include growth planning, development services, housing solutions, building services, and code compliance. This position serves as technical adviser to the City Council and Planning Commission, performs policy-level and technical services, and facilitates public involvement in a broad range of community development activities.
This is a highly responsible position involving the administration of all long-range and current planning activities for the City. The Director is responsible for managing the DCD/ED culture and building career paths for the DCD/ED Team members. Additionally, responsibilities include interacting with developers and contractors while ensuring the City’s compliance with all pertinent federal and state legislation including the State Growth Management Act and State Environmental Policy Act and for updating and implementing plans and land use regulations as necessary. The individual serving in this position must have a clear understanding of the Comprehensive Plan, Sequim Municipal Code, Shoreline Master Program, and the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). The individual in this position is also expected to have collaborative, problem-solving and process improvement skills and a working knowledge of relevant laws, plans, policies, and processes and to provide clear direction to staff, City Council and Planning Commission, the development community, and the general public.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
This position exercises independent judgment in recommending departmental procedures, plans and goals in accordance with professional standards, municipal ordinances and City policy, which may be presented to the Mayor and City Council for review as requested by the City Manager.
Serves as staff adviser to and attends meetings of the Planning Commission, City Council, civic groups and other related committees and public agencies on matters related to the community’s physical, social, and economic growth and development;
Represents the Planning Commission before the City Council;
Selects, trains, and supervises, while developing professional career paths of department personnel, builds positive department culture, facilitating performance evaluations and holding staff accountable to designated duties;
Promotes technology (including A.I.) utilization for operational efficiencies and end user customer satisfaction. Oversees any departmental software implementation;
Works closely with Public Works, Legal, Administration, Finance and other City departmental leadership;
Directs and performs research and analysis to prepare technical planning reports; makes recommendations and assists in development and presentation of new municipal planning policies, ordinances and revisions to existing ordinances;
Confers with and advises property owners, developers, surveyors, and consultants concerning planning and land use regulations, project reviews, permitting and related coding;
Directs the development of policies, projects, and work programs to include items such as the City’s Comprehensive Plan, local response to state and federal planning mandates, and housing initiatives, as requested by the goals and policies of the City Council;
Participates with regional and state planning agencies in developing regional policies affecting Sequim’s community development priorities;
Oversees the continued development of mapping and data acquisition activities to ensure continuing progress;
Prepares and monitors department operating budget;
Initiates improvements to departmental procedures, development codes, and techniques to gain community involvement in planning activities;
Responsible for the planning, design, implementation, and management of Economic Development programs and initiatives; business analysis; commercial and industrial real estate analysis; policy development; community planning and process facilitation; as well as budget development and oversight;
Supports Council as a policy advocate while specializing in operational implementation as requested; and
Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures in the preparation of technical staff reports concerning a variety of advanced municipal planning, zoning, urban development and other related matters, specifically relevant for Washington State;
Knowledge of municipal government structure, operation and jurisdiction, and City department rules, regulations and policies;
Knowledge of trends in local government planning, zoning, code enforcement, and related matters;
Knowledge of department budget preparation and control;
Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision and training, with the ability to plan, direct and supervise the operations of the Department; including demonstrated ability to establish and maintain a working environment conducive to positive morale, individual style, personal discipline, quality, creativity and teamwork;
The ability to provide leadership, counsel, motivation and constructive performance reviews to department personnel at all levels, securing their respective commitments to the department’s goals;
The ability to direct the collection and analysis of economic, social, and physical data relative to the interpretation of planning issues, and prepare technical staff reports and make recommendations to the City Council, Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment;
The ability to exercise sound and ethical judgment, as well as data driven analysis in the decision-making processes required of the position;
The ability to work positively and effectively with elected officials, City staff, developers and other citizens on complex planning policy issues in order to meet compliance requirements relative to planning policies, procedures, codes and ordinances; and to effectively coordinate with regional, state and federal agencies on multi-jurisdictional issues;
The ability to empower department personnel to make decisions and/or recommendations for process improvement;
Demonstrated skill in public speaking to deliver effective, clear and persuasive oral presentations related to growth and development policy matters;
Strong writing skills to communicate effectively on high-level policy or technical matters affecting City interests;
The ability to analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action, including skill in resolving conflicts and gaining cooperation among competing interest groups;
The ability to handle confidential information and material with the highest degree of professional responsibility and exercise appropriate judgment and initiative in carrying out operations within a general set of rules, regulations, and legal prescriptions;
The ability to work independently and with little direction and meet schedules and timelines;
Interpersonal communication and relationship building skills using tact, patience and courtesy; and
Intermediate to advanced skill in computer applications pertaining to the municipal planning field.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Urban Studies, or a closely related field and five years of progressively responsible related experience as a professional planner with supervisory experience in a public agency is required. A Master’s Degree in the above field(s) and current certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) are strongly desired. An equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered.
Supplemental Information
Working Conditions
Work is primarily performed indoors in an office setting, as well as at events and meetings throughout the community. Some evening and/or weekend work for meetings, presentations, and out of town travel and overnight seminars/meetings may be required. The employee may be required to sit at a work station for extended periods of time, frequently using a computer and/or the phone. This individual must have the ability to hear at a normal level; verbally communicate in person and by telephone; stand, walk, and drive as needed throughout day; and occasionally lift and carry parcels weighing up 25 pounds.