Division Manager, Planning & Development

Position Description

**This position is open until filled. Applications received by September 3, 2024, will receive first consideration. **

The City of Tacoma has an opportunity for a proven professional with great communication and leadership skills to manage the Land Use Division of the Planning and Development Services Department.

The Planning and Development Services Department partners with the community to build a livable, sustainable and safe City by providing strategic, timely, predictable, cost effective planning and development services with a culture focused on community engagement, customer service, creativity, accountability and continuous improvement.

As a key member of the Planning and Development Services Department, the successful candidate will help guide community growth and development in a manner that protects environmental resources, enhances quality of life, promotes distinctive neighborhoods and a vibrant downtown, and involves citizens in the decisions that affect them.

Under the direction of the Planning and Development Services Director, the Land Use Division Manager provides leadership and direction to approximately 14 full-time employees. This division is responsible for the current planning function of our permitting system, including platting, boundary line adjustments, conditional use permits, critical area permitting, and other discretionary permitting services. This position is responsible for the execution of a biennial operating budget of $3.6 million dollars.

This division is comprised of land use, environmental, and plan review professionals who work with internal and external customers to implement the City’s policies and regulations through both discretionary and ministerial permitting.

We are a customer focused organization who works closely with development professionals to implement strategies that guide growth and development to enhance the quality of life for present and future generations.

What we are looking for in our Ideal Candidate:

• Exemplifies a customer-focused and solutions-oriented approach to implementing policies and regulations.
• A leader who is able to gain the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• An innovative, results-oriented leader who promotes efficient ways of conducting business.
• Previous experience at the Division Manager or Assistant Division Manager level, or equivalent experience managing complex permitting projects.
• Increasingly responsible experience in the management and administration of municipal government operations.
• Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing. Candidates must have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with the City Manager, City Council, City Staff, and internal and external customers.
• A demonstrated commitment to anti-racist transformation in the workplace and delivery of services.
• Proven experience overseeing the development and management of a budget in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Skill in presenting in front of a variety of internal and external audiences, including the ability to explain complex policies, codes, and processes in an understandable, user-friendly manner.
• Proven skills in coaching/consulting, performance management, conflict resolution, progressive discipline, team building, and sourcing positive talent.

Qualifications

Minimum Education*

Bachelor's degree in urban planning, engineering, building construction or directly related field.

Minimum Experience*

Seven years of planning and development experience, including two years prior as supervisor or manager.

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Desired Certification

American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

*Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every one of the qualifications listed. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. If you have transferable experience, please tell us about it!

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
One of the primary goals of the Equity and Empowerment Initiative is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

Our City:
With a population of over 220,000, Tacoma is the second largest city in the Puget Sound region, gracing the shores of Commencement Bay. We are a diverse, progressive, international city that serves as a gateway to the Pacific Rim and the rest of the world. Named one of the most livable areas in the country by Livability.com, Tacoma and the surrounding area is a playground for outdoor and maritime enthusiasts. Our businesses are vibrant, our parks are beautiful, and our schools are exceptional.When you work for the City of Tacoma, you'll have an opportunity to enjoy a healthy work/life balance, the potential for flexible schedules (with some job classifications), continuing education programs, leadership pathways, wellness incentives, and a total rewards benefits program. We welcome you to take a look at our website and discover how the City of Tacoma can make your next career move part of our combined destiny:

http://www.cityoftacoma.org/
http://www.traveltacoma.com/

To be considered for this opportunity:
Interested individuals must complete the online application and attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes job experience, major responsibilities, and accomplishments related to this position.

**This position is open until filled. Applications received by September 3, 2024, will receive first consideration. **

Appointment is subject to passing a pre-employment background and references check with acceptable results.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.

If you have any additional questions regarding this position, please contact the Human Resources Department at 253.591.5400.

Agency
City of Tacoma

Address
Human Resources Department
747 Market Street
Tacoma, Washington, 98402-3764

Phone
253-591-5400

Website
http://www.cityoftacoma.org

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

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• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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