Role Description

Step into a pivotal leadership role where your work directly shapes the future of the City. Lead a high-performing team, influence how development takes shape across the community, and help deliver services that are efficient, consistent, and aligned with the City’s long-term goals.

The Community Development Assistant Director (Development) is a senior leadership position responsible for directing the City’s development services operations and ensuring that development activity is managed in a manner that is efficient, consistent, legally compliant, and aligned with the City’s long-term vision. Reporting to the Community Development Director, this position provides strategic, operational, and technical oversight of the Current Planning, Permit Center, Building Services, and Code Compliance workgroups, guiding the review, permitting, inspection, and enforcement functions that support community development throughout the City.

The Assistant Director (Development) ensures that daily development services activities are effectively integrated with the City’s adopted Community Vision, Comprehensive Plan, development regulations, and applicable state, regional, and local requirements. This position is responsible for identifying and implementing operational improvements, strengthening cross-functional coordination, and supporting development outcomes that reflect the City’s policy objectives and community goals.

As one of two Assistant Directors in the Department, the position works in close partnership with the Assistant Director (Policy) to maintain alignment between development services operations and the Department’s broader policy and legislative work.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Current Planning, Permit Center, Building Services, and Code Compliance divisions, ensuring consistent, efficient, and high-quality development services.
• Supervise and mentor division managers and staff, fostering professional growth, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Coordinate cross-functional workflows to align permitting and development review processes across City departments involved in permit review.
• Identify systemic issues, recurring themes, and opportunities for process improvements to enhance efficiency, reduce redundancy, and improve service delivery.
• Build strong working relationships with permit review staff in other departments, providing guidance and motivation to achieve timely and coordinated outcomes.
• Oversee implementation of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Community Vision, development regulations, and applicable state, regional (PSRC), and federal mandates.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for complex development issues, disputes, and customer concerns, ensuring responsive, professional, and equitable resolution.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Director (Policy) to ensure operational development activities align with long-range planning, policy initiatives, and legislative requirements.
• Monitor performance metrics, permit timelines, and workload across divisions and partner departments to ensure continuous improvement and accountability.
• Implement technology, best practices, and workflow enhancements to streamline permitting, inspections, and code enforcement processes.
• Collaborate with City leadership and legal counsel to minimize risk to the organization and seek resolution on legal challenges.
• Participate in departmental leadership, contributing to strategic planning, budgeting, and policy implementation to advance City growth and community development goals.
• Represent the City in public, interagency, and professional forums, advocating for coordinated, efficient, and customer-focused development services.
• Advise the Director and City leadership on departmental priorities, strategic initiatives, and operational improvements.
• Serve as City State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) designated Responsible Official.
• Serve as City Shoreline Management Act (SMA) designated Administrator.
• Engage with and present to Sammamish City Council, boards, commissions, committees, regional forums, and the community at public meetings as needed to provide updates, recommendations, and technical information regarding development projects, programs, codes, and policies.
• Represent the City at public meetings, open houses, and regional meetings.
• Attend evening and/or weekend meetings and events based on organizational responsibilities and/or requirements.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those interacted with during work regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, military service, or diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Supervision Exercised

• Serve as primary Development Permit Administrator overseeing all permit activity in the city.
• Review and evaluate work methods and procedures and meet with management staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Assess and monitor workload, identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing changes.
• Select, train, motivate, and evaluate employees; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures per established policies, procedures, and executive guidance.
• Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the departmental budget; approve the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approve expenditures and implement budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public administration, civil engineering, architecture, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in municipal planning, development services, building services, or code enforcement.
• At least five (5) years of supervisory or management experience, including leading multiple divisions or teams.
• Demonstrated experience in cross-functional coordination, managing complex development review processes, or integrating work across multiple departments.
• Proven experience in policy implementation, regulatory interpretation, and process improvement within a municipal or public-sector environment.
• Employees must be residents of Washington State.

Certification and Licenses

• May be required to possess and maintain a valid Washington State Driver License and the ability to drive a city owned vehicle per established policies, procedures, and safety guidelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field (e.g., Urban/Regional Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, or Construction Management) strongly preferred.

Knowledge Of

• Leadership and supervisory skills in managing professional, technical, and operational staff.
• Land use planning, development regulations, permitting processes, building codes, and code compliance practices in Washington State.
• Architecture and civil engineering principles, including site design, building systems, structural concepts, grading, drainage, utilities, and construction practices, and their application in development review, permitting, and ensuring compliance with codes and regulations.
• Environmental and natural resource considerations, including wetlands, streams, geohazards, floodplains, significant trees, and wildlife habitat, and their application in land use planning, permitting, and development review to ensure regulatory compliance and sustainable community development.
• Transportation planning and traffic engineering principles, including street and pedestrian design, traffic impact analysis, multimodal transportation systems, and integration with land use planning and development review processes to support safe, efficient, and sustainable community mobility.
• Housing policy, planning, and development, including affordable housing, middle housing, and housing diversity strategies, and their integration into land use planning, development review, and community development initiatives to support equitable and sustainable growth.
• Regional and state regulatory frameworks, including the Growth Management Act (GMA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), Shoreline Management Act (SMA), Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) guidelines, and guidance from the Washington State Department of Commerce and King County, as well as other federal, state, county, and interagency requirements that influence development review and permitting.
• Building codes, construction standards, and building inspection practices, including plan review, permit compliance, and enforcement procedures, to ensure safe, code-compliant, and high-quality development outcomes.
• Code compliance processes, including case management, enforcement procedures, legal limitations, and case closure protocols, to ensure consistent, fair, and legally compliant resolution of violations across development and property activities.
• Permit system configuration and operation, including workflow setup, electronic plan review, tracking, reporting, and integration with development services divisions, to ensure efficient, accurate, and coordinated permit processing across the Department and partner departments.
• External communications strategies, including social media, website content management, public notices, and community outreach, to effectively inform, engage, and provide transparent information to residents, stakeholders, and permit applicants.
• Municipal operations, interdepartmental workflows, and development review procedures.
• Best practices in public-sector customer service and community engagement.
• Modern methods, techniques, and best practices in the design, construction, and inspection of development typical to a suburban city.
• Oversight of contracts, grants, franchise agreements, and interlocal agreements.
• Problem-solving, decision-making, and providing technical guidance and technical corrections on development proposals.
• De-escalation, negotiation, negotiation, and community engagement skills; capable of presenting technical information to a variety of audiences.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong leadership, staff development, and team-building skills, including motivating personnel across multiple workgroups and departments.
• Excellent customer service, conflict resolution, and dispute management skills with developers, property owners, and the community.
• Ability to analyze complex development issues, identify systemic challenges, and implement operational solutions.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including presenting complex information to City Council, boards, commissions, and the public.
• Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships across City departments, regional partners, developers, and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in project management, performance metrics, and operational oversight.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, lead, and direct strong multi-disciplinary teams.
• Ability to foster innovation and apply strategic thinking to provide recommendations and solutions to complex issues.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate on complex programs/projects and develop and maintain strong professional relationships with colleagues, neighboring jurisdictions, regional partners, the community, utility providers, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to plan, direct, and evaluate the work of subordinates.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and applicable department/organization specific software and ability to learn and become skilled in the use of other specialized software and online meeting platforms as may be required.
• Clearly communicate and understand information in English, both orally and in writing, and use professional composition, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Ability to respond flexibly to changing work assignments and priorities and complete assignments accurately and on time.
• Ability to maintain a customer service orientation and positive image of the City to the public, courteous and professional approach to exchanging information, adhere to strict confidentiality requirements.
• Ability to maintain regular attendance and arrive punctually for the designated work schedule, including when working remotely per an approved hybrid schedule.
• Demonstrated understanding of the City’s diverse and evolving community, applying cultural sensitivity and inclusive practices to development services, policy implementation, and stakeholder engagement while fostering equitable, respectful, and collaborative relationships across staff, residents, and partner agencies.

Additional Information

• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Depending on functional area of assignment, tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (up to 20 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and extended periods of time standing and/or walking.
• ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS: Tasks are regularly performed inside and/or outside with exposure to adverse environmental conditions (e.g., dirt, fumes, temperature, weather, and noise extremes).
• SENSORY REQUIREMENTS: Some tasks require manual dexterity, in addition to visual and hearing acuity. Some tasks may involve identifying and distinguishing colors. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally and in writing.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from any background. The City will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set.

The City of Sammamish is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

In compliance with United States Equal Employment Opportunity guidelines and the Americans with Disabilities Act, this organization provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.