Director of Planning and Community Development

Location:  City of Bellevue, WA Download:  City of Bellevue, WA - Director of Planning and Community Development Brochure

City of Bellevue, WA
Director of Planning and Community Development

The Community:
Bellevue is the fifth largest city in Washington, with a growing and diverse population of about 120,000. It is the high-tech and retail center of the Eastside, with more than 140,000 jobs and a skyline of gleaming high-rises. 

While business booms downtown, Bellevue's neighborhoods also thrive amongst a vast network of green spaces and recreational facilities.  Bellevue is affectionately and passionately called "a city in a park." The city's schools are consistently rated among the best in the country.

Sales at downtown shopping complexes are always an attraction, but thousands are drawn to annual special events, such as the Family Fourth of July,  Strawberry Festival, the Arts and Crafts Fair,  Garden d'Lights at the Bellevue Botanical Garden, and  the biennial Bellevue Sculpture Exhibition.

The city spans more than 31 square miles between Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish, and is a short drive from the Cascade Mountains. Just a few miles from downtown, people can kayak in the Mercer Slough Nature Park, a 320-acre wetland preserve. 

There are almost 100 parks in Bellevue, with a broad range of amenities and features, including indoor pools, lakefront beaches, community centers, golf courses, skate plazas, nature trails, indoor tennis courts and a boat launch.

Money magazine named Bellevue one of the 100 best places to live in 2008 and 2006. Washington CEO magazine named Bellevue "City of the Year" in May 2008. In March 2008, Fortune Small Business magazine rated Bellevue the best place in the United States to live and launch a new business. In 2006 Bellevue ranked as the 57th safest city in the U.S., according to City Crime Ranks.

Government:
Bellevue operates under a City Council/City Manager form of government. An elected council sets the general policies of the City, which the City Manager and staff implement. Seven residents serve part-time as members of the City Council. Elected at-large, they serve staggered four-year terms. The council members, in turn, select a mayor and deputy mayor from among themselves.

The Position:
The Director of Planning and Community Development will provide direction, leadership and general oversight to the City's Planning and Community Development Department. This position will work under the broad policy guidance of the City Manager to manage the day-to-day administration of the Department, including the budget, employee/ labor relations issues, and customer requests.

The Department:
Planning & Community Development, called PCD, guides growth and change in Bellevue to enhance the character of the community; helps to create a quality natural and built environment; and works in partnership with residents to address their interests and preserve vibrant, healthy neighborhoods.  PCD is currently made up of the following divisions:

• Comprehensive Planning
• Planning Initiatives
• Neighborhood Programs
• Arts Program
• Mediation
• Community Development

 
Current Planning Initiatives:

• Bel-Red Transformation: Broad planning effort to guide the transformation of the Bel-Red area from an industrial hub to mixed-use neighborhoods.
• Eastside Light Rail: Bellevue contributes to the planning of Sound Transit's new East Link light rail.
• Bellevue's Shoreline Master Plan: Adopted in 1974, is being updated to facilitate shoreline restoration and more public access to lakes and streams.
• Eastgate/I-90 Corridor Study: Evaluation ofland use and transportation alternatives for the Eastgate/I-90 regional employment corridor.
• Mobility and Infrastructure: A mix of transportation construction projects and other capital projects designed to support unprecedented growth downtown and substantial future growth in the City's Bel-Red area.
• Meydenbauer Bay Park and Land Use Plan: Creating a new parkand improving connections to it from downtown.
• Environmental Stewardship: Bellevue's efforts, great and small, to be environmentally responsible in its projects and programs.

The Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate will possess a demonstrated record of accomplishments and successes in economic development and land use planning. This individual should also have experience with urban development and downtown redevelopment and be well versed in managing the development and challenges that may occur in both areas.  The knowledge of current trends, issues and strategies that affect and influence all aspects of economic and community development is required. 

The ideal candidate should have previous planning knowledge and experience with light rail / Transit Oriented Development (TOD) .  The ideal candidate will have strong leadership abilities and will be able to make strategic decisions pertaining to staff and procedures within the organization.  

The ideal candidate will have the patience to work through multiple projects and timelines, along with the tenacity and perseverance required for successful follow through.  The successful candidate must be able to set a positive example of competence, professionalism, energy and work ethic to the organization and community.  Advanced written and oral communication skills are imperative for this position. 

Education and Experience:
Qualified candidates will have a Master's Degree from an accredited college with major coursework in public administration, urban planning or a related field.  American Institute of Certified Planners designation is preferred.

Ten or more years of progressively responsible related experience in a managerial or leadership capacity within public land use and comprehensive planning capacity.  Municipal government and economic development experience is preferred. A combination of education and experience will be taken into consideration when reviewing applicants.

Salary:
The City of Bellevue is offering a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package. Relocation assistance will be available for the successful out-of-area candidate.

How to Apply:
Interested applicants should forward a cover letter and resume to:

resumes@affionpublic.com
Reference: BellevueDPCD

Affion Public
20 North 2nd Street, Suite 200
Harrisburg, PA 17101
888.321.4922
Fax: 717-214-2205
www.affionpublic.com

 

Deadline for resumes: December 13, 2010

Posted: 03/22/2022