Development Services Program Coordinator

Position Description

The City of Tacoma, Planning and Development Services' mission is to partner 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.

Planning and Development Services is recruiting for the position of Development Services Program Coordinator. This is the fourth level in the Development Services series and shall provide support to market rate development projects in pre-development, permitting, and post issuance. Under limited direction, the Development Services Program Coordinator will be responsible for assisting applicants through all stages of permitting, from initial inquiry and pre-application/feasibility through the permit process to review and inspection.

In addition to supporting development projects in pre-development, permitting and post issuance, the Development Services Program Coordinator:

• Serves as the project coordinator on moderate to large projects of varying complexities.
  
• Acts as the primary point of contact for the applicant through all phases of development.
• Offers guidance to the applicant and design team to more efficiently plan for and progress through the permitting process.
• Helps set and reset customer expectations for the review process and timelines.
• Serves as a liaison between review engineers, plan reviewers, land use planners, inspectors and external developers/applicants while providing high quality customer service, throughout the permitting process.

The ideal candidate possesses a successful work history in permitting, a broad knowledge and technical proficiency in one or more of project management, land use, building, or site/stormwater fields. The Development Services Program Coordinator has political savvy; the ability to independently assess and address delays in reviews; has refined customer service and communication skills; and a high level of accountability and ownership of outcomes. They are proficient at establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships that influence and promote positive outcomes. This is a great opportunity for someone with a passion for assisting people, a person who wants to be part of a dynamic team focused on providing excellent public service while delivering professional, quality services to City of Tacoma customers.

Essential Duties:

• Project Coordination - coordinate permitting of moderate to complex projects of various scales, projects of interests, or projects with emergent permitting challenges.
• Contributes to the identification and evaluation of potential problems, risks, and limiting factors as it pertains to permitting or project needs.
• Research site history and pre-submittal documents and application. Determine type of meeting to schedule and which departments need to be present. Assign project coordinators to PRE records and building permits as needed.
  
• Coordinates and facilitates meetings between customers and reviewers including pre-development meetings where applicants can receive clarification on City requirements, process and timelines.
• Consolidates comments from reviewers; verifies code citations; addresses conflicts between codes; sends out comment memorandum to applicant.
• Coordinates the development or permit review process, manages timelines, identifies missing information, and communicates needs with applicants.
• Assist customers at the front permitting counter and route according to need and advise customers with permitting questions.
  
• Updates and maintains permitting/development services website.
• Process Improvement/Continuous Improvement - develop processes for internal departmental function or external customer engagement.
• Work with customers and internal staff to solve permit-related issues.
• Dispense clear and accurate information to a variety of people of different technical levels of understanding.
• Understand, apply, and clearly explain regulations, guidelines, and standards.
• Read and interpret maps, plans, construction drawings, property descriptions, charts, and graphs.
• Serve as a liaison between review engineers, plan reviewers, land use planners, inspectors and external developers/applicants.
• Update and maintain permitting/development services website.
• Related work as assigned.
  

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
Work is performed in an indoor office environment, subject to multiple interruptions by walk-in citizens, employees, telephone calls, and interoffice activities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee could be exposed to individuals who are irate, angry or hostile. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Position requires operation of computer and office equipment, moving about inside the office to access equipment, counters and desks.

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals 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.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (TRAINING AND EDUCATION):

• Bachelor's degree in planning, engineering, architecture, project management or directly related field.
  AND
• 4 years of experience in urban planning, development, construction or inspection.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS (TRAINING AND EDUCATION):
An equivalent combination to one of the below:

• Experience as a Development Services Specialist, Senior; Development Services Analyst; Plans Examiner I; Building/Construction Inspector; Project Manager; or Planner for 2 or more years

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

Multilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.
Candidates who are fluent in reading, writing, and speaking Vietnamese, Spanish, and/or Korean are desired.

*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!

Knowledge & Skills

• Knowledge of City ordinances, City codes, and International Building Codes.
• Knowledge of site, environmental and right of way codes regulations and laws.
• Knowledge of building design, construction and inspection practices.
• Knowledge of land use regulations and laws.
• Broad understanding of multiple permitting review disciplines, and technical proficiency in one or more discipline - land use, site/stormwater, building code
• Broad knowledge of permitting and process, which allows for anticipation of issues before they arise
• Political awareness
• Skilled in resolving disputes diplomatically.
• Creative and inquisitive in finding equitable solutions or alternatives for development proposals.
• High level of accountability and takes ownership of outcomes.
• Ability to influence positively outcomes through established professional relationships with internal and external parties.
• Excellent interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Ability to use computer software (Accela and GIS systems) to perform research in the permitting process.
• Technically proficient and able to compare documents for consistency to engineering plans and legal descriptions.
• Adaptive and responsive to feedback.
• Highly organized and able to multi-task and respond to needs of multiple projects concurrently.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

To be considered for this career opportunity:
Please apply online through the City of Tacoma's website and attach a detailed resume and cover letter describing your experience, training, motivations, and expertise as it relates to the responsibilities of this position. Individuals must meet the minimum qualifications to progress in the examination process.

This is a competitive selection process. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated on the basis of education, certifications and related experience. Candidates whose qualifications most closely correspond with the Department's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Those who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on a referral list for review and potential interview selection.

Appointment is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment background and references check.

When you work for the City of Tacoma, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work/life balance, the potential for flexible work 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/

The City of Tacoma believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. This job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications and job scope. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails 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 email folders.

In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.

For assistance with the NEOGOV application process, or questions regarding this job announcement, please call Human Resources at (253) 591.5400 before 4:00 pm of the closing date of the job announcement.
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: 10/4/2024 12:00 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

Show more