Kitsap County is hiring its next Community Development Director to lead the Department of Community Development (DCD). This is an excellent, long-term career opportunity in the unique geography of the Kitsap Peninsula. Located on the western shore of Puget Sound across from the main Seattle metroplex, and east of the mighty Olympic Peninsula. A classic mix of environmentalists and progressive developers guarantees the Director and the DCD all the professional challenges they will ever need. This is a great opportunity for a growth-oriented leader, focused on staff-development, to help a department build its culture, and to help a growing community navigate dynamic change.

Reporting to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) through the County Administrator, the Director, provides superior customer service to the department's myriad customers, partners, and stakeholders. Accessible and visible, the Director also provides strategic direction and a path for meaningful professional development to the DCD’s 78 employees.

The Community Development Director leads, plans, organizes, and directs the activities of the Department including Permit Services, Planning & Environmental Services, Development Engineering, and Building and Fire Safety.

The Director is responsible for the departments Management/Leadership, ensuring that the department fosters a culture of innovation and continuous improvement to meet customer need and achieve the Board of County Commissioners stated goals and policy direction. Typical duties involve staff supervision, departmental policy management, workload/ resource leveling, executive advisory, contract administration, budget, regulation compliance, departmental records and reporting, stake holder collaboration and regional coordination.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR PERFORMANCE OF THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, Planning (Land Use, Urban, Environmental, Long, Current) or closely related field from a college or university accredited by the US Department of Education, and
Ten years of progressively responsible professional level experience in a public planning position, including three years of supervisory and managerial responsibilities is required; or
Any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the work.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, OR QUALIFICATIONS:

AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners),
Master’s degree Public Administration, Political Science, Community Planning, Environmental Planning, or closely related field.
Certification as a building official, planner, or professional engineer.
ICC (International Code Council) certification, or
Experience working with the WA State Growth Management Act.

The hiring salary range for this position is $147K - 188K. Benefits include generous leave, highly subsidized health insurance and participation in the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System. The County also provides access to the State's Deferred Compensation Program.

This position will be posted through September 30, 2024. The initial review and preliminary screening of applications will occur October 1 - 15, 2024. After the initial review, the first round of interviews will be scheduled tentatively for the week of October 21st.

Kitsap County jobs

Director of Community Development