Planning and Development Services Director
Location: City of Boise, ID Download: City of Boise - PDSD Brochure
Please follow this link to view the formal brochure: https://www.affionpublic.com/position/director-of-planning-and-development-services-city-of-boise/
About Boise
Boise offers easy access to both urban and rural living, one of many reasons it is consistently ranked one of the best places to live in the nation for the past decade. Boise boasts safe streets and neighborhoods, thriving local arts and culture, abundant recreational opportunities, low crime, and a slower pace of living. Residents pride themselves on core values of kindness and generosity, and it shows in the high rates of civic engagement, volunteerism, and non-profit donations.
Highlights for families and recreationalists are hundreds of acres of parks and open space preserves, some knitted together by the Boise River Greenbelt, with even more to discover tucked away in neighborhoods across the city. Boise is home to the famous Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, the only human rights memorial in the U.S. The complex and educational park is located on the Greenbelt pathway next to the downtown Boise Public Library.
The City of Boise is Certified Welcoming by Welcoming America, reflecting the city’s long-standing work to include immigrants and refugees in all areas of civic, social, and economic life in the community.
City Government
The City of Boise has a strong mayor-council form of government. The mayor works full- time, managing the operations of the city and providing policy direction and leadership to the city council. The six member City Council has budget and policy-setting authority for the city, each working part-time for a four- year term. Operating on a 2024 adopted budget of $747M, the City of Boise has a highly engaged workforce of over 2,145 employees.
Vision: Creating a City for everyone.
Mission: The City of Boise will create a city for everyone by embracing our community in the decision-making process; innovating and investing to protect our environment; and ensuring a thriving local economy that benefits all.
Values:
· There’s nothing we can’t do better
· One city, one team for the greatest good
· Community experience with ‘WOW’
A Home For Everyone
Keep our neighborhoods people-scaled and people-friendly, knowing that strong neighborhoods need housing at every price point.
Movement for Everyone
Make it easier to bus, bike and walk, because our residents must be able to connect to opportunities when and where they exist. And invest in creative approaches to move our residents from their homes to work and everywhere in between.
Opportunity for Everyone
Invest to build an economy that uplifts everybody in our community, with family wage jobs and access to opportunities. Support homegrown innovation and invest in education, housing, transportation, climate innovation, and arts and culture knowing that each of these contribute to a strong, inclusive economy.
A Clean City for Everyone
Protect our clean air and clean water, improve parks, open spaces and pathways that unite neighborhoods and connect us. Create opportunity through the transition to a clean energy economy.
Planning and Development Services Department
Planning and Development Services is made up of more than 120 team members in six divisions that include planning and zoning, city design, mobility and public spaces, building, housing and community development, and operations and administration. The department’s combined budget is $33.7M for FY2024.
The city is unique: the streets are managed by an independent, countywide highway district. The Director will need to collaborate successfully with this agency, a valley-wide transit authority, and an independent urban-renewal agency. The Director will also engage and partner in cooperative working relationships with diverse constituency groups such as neighborhood associations, professional trade organizations, the public, local businesses, intergovernmental agencies, news media, elected officials, and others.
Planning and Development Services Director
The next PDS Director steps into a remarkable opportunity, strengthened by a recent adoption of a progressive zoning code that garnered resounding endorsement from both City Council and community. Moreover, the city has taken proactive strides in spearheading initiatives for affordable housing, setting an ambitious target of 1,250 affordable homes by 2027. The city is currently on track to reach its goal with 1,189 homes either under construction or in the permitting phase. In addition to these large achievements, the city has worked to reduce permitting time frames overall and has been able to slash permit times for new construction and additions by 19% from 2022 to 2023, ensuring the expedited process for our development community.
The PDS Director will actively collaborate with departments throughout the organization, employing a systems approach by removing silos to integrate people, process, and technology. This role will focus on fostering partnerships and aligning strategies to address overarching citywide issues such as climate action, equity, mobility, housing affordability, parks and open spaces, and varying infrastructure needs. The director will ensure all aspects of city planning work together cohesively to enhance the well being and quality of life of our community.
The Ideal Candidate
The preferred candidate will have a master’s degree in a related field and 10+ years of progressively responsible municipal experience in urban planning, urban renewal land use, development, inspections, housing, building regulations, comprehensive planning, and community development, in addition to knowledge of planning and development principles and practices, code administration, and ordinance development/enforcement. They should have experience working in a fast-paced environment, dealing with the complex issues related to a rapidly growing and emerging Western city. Additionally, it is preferred that the candidate resides in Boise, though it is not a requirement.
The ideal candidate will be a forward-thinking leader with a genuine interest in community engagement. This individual must be politically astute with proven experience in building and maintaining a broad spectrum of partnerships both internally and with the community to ensure that a common vision is enacted and supported. The city is seeking someone who can inspire others to seek out innovative and creative solutions while also fostering connections between people and their community.
The successful candidate must have the capacity and interest to be an effective mentor and leader for staff. Strong collaboration and team building skills will be necessary for this individual; advanced public presentation skills, written and oral communication skills are imperative.
Salary/Benefits
The City of Boise is offering a competitive salary commensurate with experience. The salary range is listed between $175,000 - $200,000. A comprehensive benefits package available at mybenefits.cityofboise.org. Relocation assistance will also be available for the successful out-of-area candidate.
How to Apply
If you have what it takes to influence and inspire change that drives our organization toward our vision of creating a city for everyone, we want to hear from you!
Interested applicants should forward a cover letter and resume to:
resumes@affionpublic.com
Reference: BOISEPDSD24
Affion Public
PO Box 794
Hershey, PA 17033
888.321.4922
www.affionpublic.com
*The deadline to receive resumes is April 23, 2024*
The City of Boise welcomes all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, or physical or mental disability, or any other basis protected by law and provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable laws.
It is the intent of the City to keep the names of applicants and candidates confidential. This recruitment incorporates existing rules and regulations that govern public sector recruitments in the state of Idaho. In accordance with public disclosure/open record laws, names of candidates determined to be finalists shall be released publicly prior to final interviews.
Posted: 03/25/2024