Community Development Director

Director Of Community Development

The Director of Community Development plans, supervises, and coordinates professional engineering and planning work in support of a wide range of complex projects for the City: serves as a Director of more complex planning, development and or capital projects engineering projects; directs the work of subordinate and consulting professional and technical engineering staff; responsible for the administration and supervision of the Community Development Department.

Responsibilities & Duties:

A. Strategic Planning and Visioning: Develop and implement long-term community development strategies, including master plans for land use, economic revitalization, and sustainable growth. Conduct needs assessments and set measurable goals aligned with city priorities.

B. Representation and Advisory: Advise the City Administrator, Mayor, City Council, and other officials on community development matters. Represent the department and city at public events, professional meetings, boards/commissions, regional committees, and media interactions to communicate vital information about city priorities, codes, and policies.

C. Stakeholder Collaboration and Engagement: Build partnerships with government agencies, businesses, developers, community groups, and other stakeholders. Facilitate public meetings, workshops, and outreach to gather input and foster community buy-in for city initiatives.

D. Policy Development and Advocacy: Recommend and draft policies related to zoning, permitting, economic development, and community standards. Advocate for funding and resources at local, state, and federal levels, including grant writing and lobbying efforts.

E. Budget and Resource Management: Prepare and manage departmental budgets, allocate resources efficiently, and monitor departmental performance within the city's priority-based budgeting system. Identify and pursue funding opportunities through grants, public-private partnerships, and other sources to support city initiatives.

F. Economic Development: Collaborate on strategies to promote economic vibrancy, business retention & expansion, and redevelopment. Coordinate with other city departments to develop and implement projects that enhance the city's quality of life, economic vibrancy, and infrastructure.

G. Compliance and Regulatory Oversight: Ensure all development activities comply with local, state, and federal regulations, including environmental standards, building codes, and fair housing laws. Oversee code enforcement permitting processes and resolve compliance issues.

H. Data Analysis and Reporting: Collect and analyze data on a variety of demographic, economic, land-use, and level of service metrics. Prepare reports, dashboards, and presentations for leadership, boards, or the public to demonstrate progress and inform decision-making.

I. Resilience Planning and Response: Work collaboratively with other city departments, regional stakeholders, boards, and community groups to develop resilience strategies that meet the city's emergency management and continuity of operations priorities. Assist in developing response plans and coordinating recovery efforts for emergencies and disasters.

J. Team Leadership and Development: Recruit, train, and mentor staff within the department. Promote a collaborative work environment and ensure professional development opportunities to build a high-performing team.

Qualifications

Required Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional management experience in planning, economic development, housing, engineering, or real-estate development. Required Credentials: Graduation from an accredited four-year (4) college or university with a degree in urban/regional planning, architecture, engineering, economics or closely related field. Required Expertise & Skills: - Management of Personnel Resources: Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job. - Critical Thinking, Sound Professional Judgment and Decision Making: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. - Excellent Communication Skills (Written & Verbal): Communicating effectively as appropriate for the needs of the audience. - Delivers and models the highest level of external (and internal) customer service with all stakeholder interactions. - Computers and Electronics: Intermediate working knowledge and skill operating technology/computer-based work programs/software commonly used within professional settings. - Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others. - Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.

Miscellaneous Information

Insurance Benefits Eligibility: Coverage begins for new hires and their dependents on the first day of the month, following the first day of employment. Medical: Qualified employees may select from three health plan options; The monthly premium varies depending upon the plan and coverage level selected. Dental: Dental insurance is provided by Delta Dental of Washington. The monthly premium is minimal for employees and eligible dependents. Vision: Vision coverage is paid for by the City of Liberty Lake. Life Insurance - Employee Only: Group Term Life Insurance and AD & D for the employee is paid for by the City of Liberty Lake. Life Insurance - Eligible Dependent(s): Group Term Life Insurance for eligible dependent(s) is paid for by the City of Liberty Lake. Long-Term Disability Insurance: Long-Term Disability Insurance is paid for by the City of Liberty Lake. Employee Assistance Program The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a referral and counseling service for employees and their eligible dependents. HRA VEBA: Upon the adoption of the annual budget, the City of Liberty Lake contributes a predetermined dollar amount to the employee's HRA VEBA account on an annual basis. Voluntary Benefits: The City of Liberty Lake offers voluntary benefits such as supplemental life insurance for employees and spouse/domestic partners, and dependent children. Retirement Benefits Public Employees' Retirement System: PERS Employees' Retirement System (PERS) is a plan choice retirement plan (PERS 2 or PERS 3) covering non-uniformed employees. Deferred Compensation The City does not participate in Social Security. However, the City has adopted a 401(A) Social Security substitute plan. 401A: A predetermined percentage of each check will be contributed to this plan. 457: This is a voluntary plan in which employees can contribute an additional dollar amount or a percentage of each check. Paid Time Off City of Liberty Lake observes twelve (12) paid holidays, prorated based on hire date. Thirty-two (32) hours of floating holiday are provided each year; however, the hours are prorated based on the quarter hired for the first year. Employees accrue four (4) hours of paid vacation year pay period. Sick leave is frontloaded upon hire with forty (40) hours, after six (6) months employees will accrue four (4) hours per pay period.