PLANNING SERVICES DIRECTORPLANNING SERVICES DIRECTORSPOKANE, WASHINGTON

EXECUTIVE SEARCHPROVIDED BY

THE COMMUNITY

Located in eastern Washington, Spokane is the second-largest city in Washington. It is the economic and cultural center of the Spokane metropolitan area and the hub of the Inland Northwest. The city’s population is approximately 220,000 and the regional population is nearing 600,000. In recent years, Spokane and the surrounding area have experienced significant growth—a trend that is forecasted to continue.

The downtown University District is at the center of this idea-generating, innovation-focused community. The district is an urban laboratory creating new knowledge and applied, community-engaged research, resulting in greater prosperity and improved quality of life. It provides opportunities to promote economic development, smart urban growth, environmental restoration, historic preservation, arts and culture, recreation, and state-of-the-art transportation. The city is an established center for medical services and life sciences. It is also a burgeoning market for manufacturing and agricultural industries, as well as aerospace, information technology, and energy sectors.

The U-District is home to six higher education institutions, including Gonzaga University, Whitworth University, University of Washington, Washington State University, Eastern Washington University, and Community Colleges of Spokane. A few of the university systems have formed a unique partnership focused on health sciences education.

With many natural amenities, Spokane is a scenic locale known for an abundance of outdoor activities. It is home to Spokane Falls, the second-largest urban waterfall in the United States, and Centennial Trail, a 37-mile path built for walking, running, skating, and biking. Riverfront Park, one of the City’s best loved, is full of timeless elements reminiscent of the World’s Fair Expo held in Spokane in 1974 coupled with award-winning modern upgrades.

The Cityof Choice

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The city is within an hour’s drive of 76 lakes, including the renowned Lake Coeur d’Alene, as well as dozens of rivers. For shopping and dining options, downtown Spokane’s Entertainment District offers theaters, concert halls, bars, and restaurants, and there are more than 20 wineries in the region. Annual events and festivals include Bloomsday, Pig Out in the Park, the Lilac Festival and Torchlight Parade, and Hoopfest, among others.

Major employers include Fairchild Air Force Base, Avista Utilities, Amazon, Cisco Systems, F5 Networks, Kaiser Aluminum, McKinstry Northwest Inc., the State of Washington, City of Spokane, Spokane County, local public-school districts, and Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. The median household income in the city is $52,447 and the median home value is $341,750.

MissionTo deliver

efficient andeffective services

that facilitate economic

opportunity and enhance the

quality of life.

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ABOUT THE COMMUNITY continued

VisionSpokane: A city near nature unequaled for living,

working, learning, and leisure.

GOVERNANCE AND ORGANIZATIONThe City of Spokane operates under a home-rule charter, strong-mayor form of government. Non-partisan elections are conducted for executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The City Council is comprised of six council members, elected from three representative city districts, and one council president who is elected at large.

The Mayor hires the City Administrator who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization, essentially serving in the role of chief operating officer focusing on internal issues and operations to the Mayor’s broader role as chief executive officer. The City Administrator has a close working relationship with the City Council and oversees 11 divisions, which include the City Attorney; Neighborhood, Housing and Human Services; Finance, Treasury and Administration; Fire; Parks and Recreation; Police; Public Works; Human Resources, Innovation and Technology Services; and Community and Economic Development. The City Administrator is also responsible for the development and oversight of the City’s annual operating budget, which is $989.2 million for 2021.

There are several autonomous agencies within the organization, including a Library System, Civil Service, and the Office of the Police Ombudsman. The City has approximately 2,000 full-time employees, 95% of which are classified and represented by eight bargaining units.

The community welcomed a new City Administrator in April 2021. Johnnie Perkins, a veteran public and private sector executive with a reputation for collaboration and relationship building, was selected to lead the City of Spokane after a successful tenure as Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Director of Environmental Services with the City of San Diego.

ValuesTRUST – We are committed to earn, maintain, and enhance the trust of each other and the community.

INTEGRITY – We conduct our work in an atmosphere of honesty, respect, and courtesy.

QUALITY – We will provide excellent service in a cost-effective manner.

TEAMWORK – We nurture successful working relationships with all of our partners.

ACCOUNTABILITY – We take responsibility for our actions.

OPENNESS – Our actions are transparent to all our citizens and ourselves.

INNOVATION – We encourage and support new ideas and creative approaches.

DIVERSITY – We embrace and respect the uniqueness of our employees and citizens.

COMMUNITY – We believe in our employees and our citizens.

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ABOUT THE DEPARTMENTPart of Spokane’s Division of Community & Economic Development — which administers a wide range of planning, design, economic development, historical preservation, and business support services — the Planning Services Department is responsible for preparation and maintenance of the Comprehensive Plan guiding the community’s long-term physical, economic, and social growth.

The department also handles matters of neighborhood and City planning, including regional coordination and urban design; supports the community’s Planning Commission and Transportation Sub-Committee, Design Review Board, and Bicycle Advisory Board; and works alongside an array of regional partner agencies, including adjacent cities and special purpose districts, Spokane County, the Spokane Regional Transportation Council, Washington State Department of Transportation, Spokane Transit Authority, Northeast Public Development Authority, S3R3 Solutions (formally the West Plains/Airport Area Public Development Authority), and University District Public Development Authority.

The incoming director will enjoy an excellent working relationship with a solid Planning Commission and a very experienced staff who are anxious for great leadership. The department is comprised of 16 employees and has a 2021 operating budget of $2,023,835.

ABOUT THE POSITIONThe Planning Services Director reports to the Community and Economic Development Division Director, and provides leadership and support to staff tasked with the development and implementation of strategic plans that drive the community’s long-term growth and prosperity. This includes direction of growth management and comprehensive planning, sub-area master planning, neighborhood planning, and project planning, and ensuring the department’s work successfully aligns with both short- and long-term goals established by City leadership and the community at large.

Serving as the Chief Planning Professional, this position represents the City’s interests in plans, programs, and major projects in discussions and coordination with the public, special interest groups, various City commissions, and other governmental agencies. It is also responsible for the ongoing evaluation of Spokane’s governing land use regulations and policies, recommending changes as needed, and the administration, application, and interpretation of the community’s Unified Development Code.

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OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGESFollowing the recent creation of the Community and Economic Development Division, the individual selected to lead Planning Services in the years ahead will take on a variety of opportunities and challenges facing the department and the City of Spokane, including:

• Department Strategy – To help ensure a productive first year, the new director will need to develop a First Year Work Plan outlining measurable and achievable progress that holds themselves and their team accountable for success.

• Housing – Planning Services is leading the implementation of a recently approved Housing Action Plan aimed at increasing housing options that are affordable and accessible to all income levels utilizing infill housing strategies. The new Director should also be prepared to evaluate – and offer suggestions to improve – the community’s housing review, approval, and permitting processes.

• Ongoing Projects – Among the department’s immediate priorities are the completion of updates already underway for Neighborhood Plans and Sub-Area Plans, including the development of their implementation strategies and schedules. Current projects include new plans for Downtown Spokane, the North Bank, the South University District, and a variety of individual neighborhoods.

• Collaboration and Communication – The new Director will need the skills to establish successful relationships both inside and outside of the organization within their first year, re-establishing trust, open communication, and a sense of cooperation between City staff and the Spokane development community.

• Transportation and Redevelopment – Communities throughout the region continue to struggle with these two areas of planning, and they remain front and center for Spokane leaders. Among other initiatives, this position will be responsible for a recently launched effort to analyze transportation and zoning options in the business district along a portion of Grand Boulevard, and for planning and collaboration with the Spokane Transit Authority to implement transit-oriented development along high-performance lines.

• Comprehensive Plan Review – City leaders would like to proceed with an update to the community’s Comprehensive Plan within the next two years.

• Staff Vacancies – The new Director will have an opportunity to fill some vacant staff positions.

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IDEAL CANDIDATEThe City of Spokane seeks a proven servant-leader who is committed to the City over the long-term, can bring stability to the department, and who is dedicated to the success of their colleagues and the community.

Tasked with managing a variety of projects and initiatives integral to the City’s vision, the ideal candidate understands the importance of public engagement and of finding balance and compromise between a wide variety of stakeholders. They will also be able to effectively organize and prioritize the department’s workload, skillfully manage project expectations, and remain sensitive to the political nature of community planning.

Candidates with a background in both private- and public-sector planning are encouraged to apply as are candidates accustomed to the challenges of high-growth communities.

This department’s mission statement is simple: “We work with the community to achieve their desired result.” The ideal candidate will embody that sense of collaboration, ensuring that Planning Services is a reliable resource – not a roadblock – in moving the City forward.

Qualifications for this position include:

• Thorough knowledge of comprehensive planning, including best practices in urban and regionalplanning, community and economic development, land development, environmental considerations,annexation processes, and relevant local, state, and federal laws. Understanding of Washington’sGrowth Management Act, or similar legislation in other states, is preferred.

• Experience in effectively leading, mentoring, and motivating those around them, providing stabilityto their staff while holding them accountable to internal and external stakeholders.

• Skill in planning and managing multiple projects, each with their own set of important deadlines, asthe department and City face new challenges and strive for continuous improvement.

• Ability to research, assemble, analyze, and evaluate complex data to provide appropriaterecommendations to City leaders and colleagues.

• Knowledge of budgeting principles and grant management.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCEAny combination equivalent to the experience and education that would likely provide the relevant knowledge, skills and abilities would be qualifying. Generally, this includes a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major course work related to urban planning, public administration, architecture, engineering, or a related field. The City seeks candidates with at least eight years of increasingly responsible experience in planning, public administration, public service, or a similar field, and at least four years of supervisory experience.

Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners is also required, or the ability to obtain within 18 months of hire.

The successful candidate should be well versed in terminology, laws, objectives, practices, principles, standards, and regulations of real estate, regional planning, community and economic development, and land development.

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APPLICATION PROCESSThe position is open until filled. The first review of applicants will occur on November 1, 2021Please apply online

For more information about this position contact: Kurt Hodgen, Senior Vice President KurtHodgen@GovernmentResource.com 540-820-0531The City of Spokane is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. Applicants selected as finalists for this position will be subject to a comprehensive background check.

RESOURCESCity of Spokanemy.spokanecity.org

Visit Spokanevisitspokane.com

Planning Servicesmy.spokanecity.org/business/planning

Spokane Comprehensive Planmy.spokanecity.org/shapingspokane

Community Indicators Initiativespokanetrends.org

SOCIAL MEDIA

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITSThe salary range for this position is $95,672-$134,529. Spokane offers an excellent benefits package including, medical, dental, and life insurance, vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, long-term disability, an employee assistance program, and the option to participate in a 457 deferred compensation program with a monthly City match of up to $200. Employees also participate in the Spokane Employees Retirement System, which features matching employee and employer contributions of 10%.