This position would be in charge of Code Review and the Redevelopment of the Downtown and Waterfront District project in coordination with other departments and the Executive office.
This position is responsible for the overall direction, leadership, management, supervision, and administration of the Development Services Department including planning, building, economic development, and code enforcement with a digital permitting center for planning, zoning, engineering plan review, development plan review, and building permitting and inspection functions. The position functions as a managing professional with responsibility for matters such as current and long-range planning including, development review, community planning, the City’s comprehensive plans, and coordination of capital improvement planning with the City Engineer, Public Works, and other departments. Develop relations with businesses and community organizations, and comply with City, State and Federal regulations.
Work activities involve multiple skills and may include, but are not limited to, any of the following depending on area of assignment, business needs, emergency services, special projects, and seasonal factors: - Participate in City’s management team functions, and with the Mayor and City Administrator, develop programs to enhance customer focused community services, major projects, and other initiatives.
- Attend City Council meetings and provide ongoing communications regarding development service matters, economic development opportunities, and serve as a resource to the Mayor, Council, and City Administrator.
- Administer the City’s digital Permit Center for planning, zoning, engineering, development and building to create a seamless applicant permit tracking and monitoring system with high quality service delivery.
- Provide overall leadership for comprehensive planning for land use, transportation, parks, and public works; and leads and coordinates unified plan review functions with public in relationship to planning, engineering, building and fire requirements.
- Primary staff liaison to the City’s Planning Commission. Runs the meetings and creates all materials needed for meetings and coordinates with Commission members, staff, applicants and the public.
- Direct and supervise the department’s management, professional and technical staff with responsibility for performance standards, training and staff development, counseling, employee evaluations, discipline, and professional development and recognition.
- Direct the department’s overall compliance and quality assurance functions to ensure codes and regulations related to land use, growth management, economic development, planning and zoning are strictly adhered to and that records and procedures are in compliance with applicable codes.
- Coordinate and supervise work of consultants and meet with attorneys, officials, developers, and contractors as necessary to explain requirements or resolve problems.
- Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the Department’s service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Meet with division team leaders to identify and resolve problems. Assign projects and programmatic areas; and review, evaluate and revise Department goals and objectives as necessary.
- Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with City staff, officials, representatives of other agencies, community, and business leaders, and the public. Respond to inquiries using good judgment, tact, and courtesy.
- Investigate complaints from the public or assign appropriate personnel for such action. Ensure complaints are reviewed and responses to complainants are sent in a timely manner.
- Authorize, administer, and recommend decisions on service contracts, consulting services, and agreements.
- Notify the Mayor and City Administrator of major issues or developments which may affect the role of the Department or the government of the City of Oak Harbor.
- Coordinate activities with other departments and direct capital improvement projects with the City Engineer, Director of Public Works, Finance Director, consultants, and contractors.
Associated Functions:- Attend various continuing education meetings and seminars, and conferences.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibility:Department management, professional, and technical staff.
Performance Requirements (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Knowledge of:- Modern techniques of planning, development review and permitting, and well as organizational structure, operations, policies, and objectives.
- Principles and practices of supervision, personnel management, and training techniques.
- Budget preparation, administration, analysis, and control.
- Laws, rules, and regulations related to planning, zoning, building, land use, engineering and permitting.
- Current social, political, and economic trends and operating problems related to land use, zoning, building, economic development, and the Growth Management Act.
Skill in:- Writing, English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, punctuation.
- Strong oral communication and public speaking ability to effectively communicate, facilitate and negotiate complex information.
Ability to:- Compose complex documents and the ability to research, organize and compile data into meaningful reports.
- Plan, organize, control, and direct the operations of the planning, building, economic development, and code enforcement services divisions of the Department.
- Provide direction, vision and leadership to department staff and effectively manage and supervise diverse work activities of professional, technical, and administrative support staff in a manner conducive to proficient performance and high morale.
- Accurately evaluate and analyze complex management or service delivery problems and adopt an effective course of action in situations that are often stressful.
- Develop policies and ordinances as directed by Mayor and City Council.
- Use a personal computer and associated software proficiently.
An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential job functions may be considered. - Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning and zoning, public administration, architecture, or closely related field.
- Eight (8) to ten (10) years of demonstrated successful experience in the field of planning, community development, building, architecture, economic development or closely related field in a municipal or county environment.
- Experience must include progressive management and supervisory responsibilities.
- Valid driver's license and the ability to provide a driver’s abstract showing a good driving record.
- Complete a comprehensive criminal background screening prior to hire.
Preferred Qualifications:- Master’s degree in a relevant discipline.
- AICP Certification.
The physical demands and characteristics of the work environment described here are representative of those occurring in the performance of the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions. Work is normally performed in an office environment and field locations. Equipment utilized includes standard and specialized office equipment including personal computer with specialized software, word processing, data base and network software. Attendance at weekend and evening meetings is sometimes required, with travel required to other City locations or out-of-town meetings and conferences.
Safety Statement:We expect employees to ensure compliance with all applicable safety practices and policies, including those established by OSHA/DOSH regulations and the City’s Accident Prevention Program (APP). This includes, but is not limited to, actively identifying, and correcting potential hazards that may affect employee and public safety, including those identified by co-workers. Leading by example to promote a positive culture of workplace safety through everyday action, emphasizing safe completion of work throughout all aspects of developing and carrying out work plans.