Salary: $83.80 - $107.88 Hourly
Location : Lynnwood WA 98036, WA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time Benefitted
Job Number: 2025-00033
Department: DBS
Division: DBS ADMIN STAFF
Opening Date: 04/07/2025
Closing Date: 5/4/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: GSO

Summary
This position serves as the Director for the Development and Business Services (DBS) Department and is appointed by the Mayor. It provides direction, leadership and general oversight to the DBS Department which includes the divisions of Economic Development (business development, city center, tourism), Community Planning (current planning, comprehensive planning, transportation), Permits & Inspection Services (plan review, inspections, permits, development engineering, fire prevention in conjunction with the Regional Fire Authority, code enforcement) and administrative support.

This position directs four division managers within the department who are dedicated to managing the City's growth, development, community planning, economic vitality, environmental standards, quality of life, and code compliance. The Director ensures that the City's Community Vision, strategic planning, council direction, and core values are incorporated into the Department's' mission; serves as a member of the City's Executive Leadership Team; is a primary contact for the City with the business and development community; and is the liaison with community partners in the public and private sectors on DBS-related functions and responsibilities.
More information about this position can be found in the recruitment flyer.
Essential Functions
The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

Plan, lead, develop, organize, direct, oversee, and evaluate all roles and responsibilities of DBS within the City.
Work with representatives of business, development, real estate, finance, residents, property owners, strategic partners, and community groups in undertaking the roles and responsibilities of DBS.
Collaborate and coordinate with the other City departments and outside parties in reviewing preparing and administering community plans, development regulations, building permits, zoning requirements, business licenses, development plans, etc.

Administer and monitor implementation of City's comprehensive plan, special planning areas, development plans and projects. Ensure that such projects/plans comply with all other applicable laws and ordinances. Oversee the City's environmental review process.
Monitor legislative developments pertaining to the roles and responsibilities of DBS. Works closely with the Mayor and Council to develop policy positions and their implementation.
Oversee data and analysis, reports and recommendations for use and consideration by the Mayor, City Council, Hearing Examiner, Planning Commission and other City boards and commissions under the purview of DBS. Recommend revisions or streamlining of City regulations, processes, or codes to enhance the City's best practices and customer service.

Provide a customer service approach to resolve and respond to complaints, conflicts, concerns, and questions concerning DBS services, policies, procedures, programs, and activities. Participate in Department-wide long range, strategic planning activities. Prepare and recommend objectives, methodologies, and associated schedules.

Recommend revisions to plans, policies, and strategies under review by the Mayor, Council and the senior leadership team.

Maintain liaison with local agencies such as other cities, counties, school districts, planning organizations and the county boundary review board.
Develop and maintain working relationships with community partners, interagency and interjurisdictional groups related to DBS roles and responsibilities.

Serve as a representative to interagency planning committees and groups.
Facilitate business development and economic vitality.
Review grant applications and participate in grant opportunities for City projects.

Represent or assist with representing the City in contract negotiations relating to a variety of activities regarding the roles and responsibilities of DBS.

Attend City Council meetings, Public Hearings and other meetings as required.
Prepare and manage the department budgets; assure financial accountability and appropriate record-keeping and internal controls.

Champion a diverse workplace at DBS and promote racial and social justice in the growth and development of the City of Lynnwood.
Oversee the selection, orientation, and training of DBS personnel. Assure the availability of adequate staff equipment and facilities.
Prepare and conduct oral and written employee performance evaluations. Recognize superior job performance. Effect correction in undesirable trends in performance consistent with established City policy.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in urban planning, business/public administration, organization management, or closely related field (Master's Degree preferred) plus ten (10) years increasingly responsible experience in a local governmental planning and development department, at least five (5) years of which involves managing complex projects; or an equivalent combination of related education and experience; a valid Washington State Driver's License and a driving record acceptable to the City's insurance carrier. Must successfully pass a background check. Specific experience in developing and maintaining public and private partnerships preferred.

Additional Information
Job Location and Equipment Utilized

Work is performed in an office environment. Equipment utilized includes standard office equipment including personal computer with associated software and peripherals.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of Federal, State, and local land use and environmental laws, regulations, standards, and principles of land use development, including the Washington Growth Management Act and comprehensive plans.
Knowledge of local building code principles, plan review, permit issuance, code development and enforcement.
Knowledge of modern principles and practices of business and economic development.
Knowledge of principles and practices of grant application and governmental budgeting preparation and control.

Knowledge of business and tourism attraction and recruitment techniques.
Knowledge of principles and practices of land acquisition, disposal, and property rehabilitation.
Knowledge of regional market trends in land development, retail, industrial, and office markets.
Knowledge of public and private partnerships, financing practices, relocation assistance and development participation incentives.
Knowledge of financial feasibility, pro forma analysis, current economic trends, real estate finance, and economic forecasting.
Skilled in coordinating and overseeing development of the City's comprehensive plan.

Skilled in negotiating agreements, building consensus, promoting a culture of service and efficiency.

Skilled in planning and organizing work to meet schedules and timelines.
Skilled in effective problem-solving.
Skilled in developing and recommending policies and establishing project objectives to implement those policies.
Skilled in interacting effectively with diverse groups of people.
Skilled in preparing comprehensive reports, departmental budgets and correspondence.

Skilled in effectively administering, supervising, and motivating department staff in dealing with the public and in accomplishing the duties, roles and responsibilities of DBS.
Skilled in effectively communicating with the city administration, elected officials and partner agencies, and the general public both orally and in writing.

Skilled in presenting ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, to groups and individuals.
Ability to communicate in English and preferably a second language (commonly spoken languages of business owners in Lynnwood include Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, Amharic).

Physical Demands
Thephysicaldemandsdescribedherearerepresentativeofthosethatmustbemetbyanemployeetosuccessfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Visual acuity to observe program activities and to read and view documents and produce written materials.
Communicate to exchange information, provide work directions, and make presentations.
Sit and stand for extended periods of time.
Manual dexterity to operate a personal computer.

Additional Information

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit: Non-Represented; General Salary Ordinance
For information on City of Lynnwood's benefits, please click on the following link:
01

This position requires a Bachelor's degree in urban planning, business/ public administration, organizational management, or a closely related field plus a Masters in Public Administration or a comparable degree plus ten (10) years directly-related experience, with at least five (5) years managing complex projects, or an equivalent combination of related education and experience. Please describe how you meet these requirements.
02

The City of Lynnwood is committed to being a safe, welcoming and equitable community for all. As a City, we are actively working to institutionalize and operationalize a culture of equity and inclusion. How would you work to further this commitment as it relates to employee retention/ recognition, strategic planning and operational excellence?
03

The City of Lynnwood has six strategic priorities that guide policy and decision making. Priority three is to "Nurture Operational and Organizational Excellence." Please describe your leadership style and key abilities to incorporate innovations and technologies that inspire and promote operational and organizational excellence within the City and the Development and Business Services department.
04

Please tell us about your public sector/local government experience working in a Development and Business Services department.
05

Please describe one of your largest projects and what challenges you faced. What lessons did you learn from these projects?
Required Question

City of Lynnwood, WA

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Development and Business Services Director