Director of Community Development

The DCD Director reports to the County Administrator, who manages BOCC Departments on behalf of the Board. The role has both outward-facing and internally focused elements. First, the Director serves as the face of the department to the community, engaging with community stakeholders over key planning and land use initiatives.  Second, the Director must ensure staff are well-resourced, focused, cared for, heard, and considered, so all work together to execute the department's strategic work plans. 

The Director facilitates problem-solving for high-level issues having far-reaching impacts on Kitsap County.

This position is perfect for those who relish challenges, value public service, and who want to make a visible and lasting impact on local communities in alignment with the Board’s values of Integrity, Welcoming, Professionalism, Accountability, Responsiveness, and Efficiency.

• The successful incumbent must meet the driving requirements of this position and submit a copy a current driving record/abstract (from state of residency) to review for eligibility to drive for Kitsap County prior to employment.  The successful incumbent must obtain a valid Washington State Driver’s License prior to hire and maintain a satisfactory driving record as outlined in the Kitsap County Vehicle Use Policy. 

In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Management: Plans, organizes, controls, integrates, and evaluates the work of the Department of Community Development: develops, implements, and monitors day to day and long-term plans, goals and objectives focused on achieving the community’s priorities as conveyed through the Board of County Commissioners’ mission, vision and values linked here.  Provides managerial assistance to subordinates in planning and implementing programs. 
• Direction: Establishes direction, goals, objectives, and priorities for the department. Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the performance of department staff; establishes performance requirements and personal development targets; regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development. Reports on performance and coordinates with HR and County Administrator on personnel changes, growth, and management.
• Leadership: Provides leadership to develop and retain highly competent, public service-oriented staff through strategy development, recruitment, selection, compensation, training, and day-to-day management practices that support the County’s mission and values. Partners well with other County departments and builds strong relationships with other Department Directors and officials. Identifies specific training needs and gaps within teams and creates plans to remedy. 
• Community Role: Represents the County and department in the community; informs and advises community groups, as well as the County Administrator and Board of County Commissioners, on local and regional community development, environmental and infrastructure planning issues. Builds relationships with diverse stakeholders to ensure Department’s work is understood and clear to all. 
• Broader Context: Monitors national and state-wide developments in building, planning, economic and community development matters; evaluates their impact on County programs and operations; implements departmental process improvement where warranted; represents the County in regional conferences and other forums.
• Customer Service: Responds to and serves the public promptly and respectfully.  Lead staff to exercise thorough, thoughtful, and helpful expertise about building and planning requirements and/or services to all customers in a friendly, open, and unbiased manner.
• Code Interpretation: Offers and facilitates guidance to County staff members to support clarity, fairness and consistency across the Department in decisions related to application of building and land use codes. Includes Fire Marshal’s office, land use, building inspection, development assistance and other development-related work units.
• Budget: Managing the presentation of the department's budget, workplan, and reporting with a focus on aligning resources with strategic priorities and evolving workload. Develops and administers departmental budget, including the forecasting of funds for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies, and monitoring of expenses.  
• Communication: Collaborating with key stakeholders, and effectively and proactively communicating with customers on the status of major projects and initiatives.
• Innovation: Identifying customers thoughtfully and fostering a culture of innovation to continuously improve on meeting current and emerging customer needs and community engagement expectations.  
• Technology: Utilizing internal and external resources, technology, and continuous improvement techniques to report metrics, improve process, create more capacity and deliver greater value.
• Process Improvement: Develops and monitors processes and procedures controlling permit applications, plan review, building inspection, and code enforcement; review development approval/denial and the development of recommendation reports and letters. 
• Legislative Review: Reviews and monitors proposed changes to federal, state, and local laws to determine their impact on departmental policies and practices; prepares, coordinate, and implements responses and recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners.  
• Project Management: Plans and directs current and long-range projects related to comprehensive and current planning, zoning, subdivision activities, environmental analysis, building, and code enforcement. 
• Comprehensive Plan and Zoning: Oversees the Comprehensive Plan and zoning code revisions process. Anticipates planning and zoning needs, coordinate with other Directors/disciplines, and facilitates current and long-range planning efforts to develop and implement the City’s strategic vision.

OTHER POSITION RELATED INFORMATION