Portland Permitting & Development Director (Director II)

City of Portland | Portland, OR

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Posted Date 11/25/2024
Description

This position is exempt from Civil Service and is an "At Will" position. It serves at the discretion of the hiring authority, subject to the City of Portland Human Resources Administrative Rules and the Portland City Charter and Code.

Job Appointment: Full time, At-Will

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8am-5pm. Work hours will vary to meet business needs.

Work Location:
Hybrid, at least 50 percent of work hours to be conducted in-office, and up to (or no more than) 50 percent remote. In-person work to be conducted at 1900 SW 4th Avenue. Remote work must be performed within Oregon or Washington. For more information, click here.

Benefits: Please check our benefit tab for an overview of benefit for this position

Language Pay Premium: This position may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees.

Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. You will need to attach a cover letter, resume and an equity statement.

ABOUT PORTLAND PERMITTING & DEVELOPMENT:
Portland Permitting & Development promotes safety, livability and economic vitality through efficient and collaborative application of building and development codes.

Portland Permitting & Development was established on July 1, 2024, with the aim of enhancing customer service in obtaining building, trade and public works permits. This new bureau integrates permit plan examiners from Water, Environmental Services, Urban Forestry, and Transportation bureaus with former Bureau of Development Services staff, facilitating collaboration across all departments involved in the permitting process to drive meaningful improvements for customers.

The bureau is organized in the following groups:

  • Office of the Director
  • Land Use Services
  • Building Permit Review
  • Customer Support and Permitting Services
  • Public Infrastructure Development Review
  • Public Works Permitting Review
  • Property Compliance
  • Building Permit Inspections
  • Digital Services
  • Hiring, Equity and Policy Development
  • Operations and Administration
For more information, please visit the Portland Permitting & Development website.

ABOUT THE PP&D DIRECTOR POSITION:
The Director will report directly to the Deputy City Administrator for the Community and Economic Development Service Area. The Director will lead a team of 350 professionals and manage a fiscal year 2024-2025 operating budget of nearly $94 million.

The Director will be responsible for the administration of state and local building codes; managing the development review and enforcement processes; budgeting and exercising fiscal responsibility; developing and implementing strategic plans, as well as setting performance goals.

This is a pivotal moment for Portland Permitting & Development, as it navigates a new organizational structure, both internally and within the City’s new government organization. The new director should be a visionary leader who can set a clear, forward-thinking direction for the bureau, inspire staff and stakeholders to embrace transformative goals, and innovate solutions for long-term community impact.

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS:

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Centered Leadership – Recognizes the value and importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce, ensuring that these principles are embedded into all aspects of the bureau’s operations.

Executive Leader – Demonstrated experience managing complex systems, leading diverse teams, and helping managers develop and retain service-oriented staff.

Change Management Expertise – Must be able to effectively navigate organizational change (both internal to the bureau and within the City), provide a clear vision for the future, implement process improvements, and drive culture change within the bureau.

Strategic Thinker – Shows dedication to developing, implementing, and leading long-term strategic goals to align with the City’s core values, improve business functions, and support community vitality.

Budget and Financial Expertise – Demonstrated experience establishing reliable funding models and new sources to ensure adequate resources and support ongoing initiatives and operations.

Community Engagement – Talented at building strong relationships with the community through accountability, fostering trust, open and transparent communication, and improved outreach and customer service.

Collaboration – Passionate about building and fostering collaboration between City leadership, various bureaus, external stakeholders, and leveraging internal expertise.

Regulatory Knowledge – Deep understanding of zoning laws, land-use regulations, environmental regulations, and sustainable development practices and understanding of how to effectively apply this knowledge to programs.

The ideal candidate will be:
  • Innovative: Challenges the status quo, drives continuous improvement, champions digital transformation, and inspires meaningful change.
  • Visionary: Skilled at crafting a clear future vision and securing buy-in from staff, leadership, and key community stakeholders.
  • Transparent: Prioritizes open communication and builds strong relationships grounded in trust.
  • Collaborative: Effectively builds partnerships and values feedback from internal staff and external stakeholders.
  • Accountable: Takes ownership of decisions and holds others responsible for theirs.
  • Service-Oriented: Has a deep commitment to public service and to eliminating racism and discriminatory practices from services and the workplace.
City of Portland Core Values: Anti-racism | Communication | Collaboration | Equity | Transparency | Fiscal Responsibility
These values guide our actions as we serve the community and engage our workforce. To learn more about the City's core values, please click here.

Questions? Please contact:

Jaclyn Snyder, Senior Recruiter, or Amanda Hillebrecht, Senior Recruiter

Bureau of Human Resources

Jaclyn.Snyder@portlandoregon.gov, Amanda.Hillebrecht@portlandoregon.gov


Applicants should specifically address and demonstrate in their cover letter and résumé how their education, training, and/or experience meet each of the following minimum qualifications:

  1. Experience leading and managing complex permitting, development, and planning agencies for 10 years or more, with a demonstrated ability to oversee financial administration and drive organizational success.
  2. Experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating long-range strategic plans and goals, ideally within a public agency, to advance organizational objectives and enhance service delivery.
  3. Knowledge of economic development principles, with the ability to assess the broader economic impact of city policies and regulations and implement strategies to foster community revitalization and long-term growth.
  4. Experience managing, coaching, and retaining a diverse and multicultural workforce, including establishing performance metrics, addressing performance deficiencies, and ensuring compliance with laws, rules, policies, and labor agreements.
  5. Ability to develop and execute successful change management strategies, leading large organizations through transformation and ensuring smooth transitions during times of change.
  6. Ability to navigate sensitive political environments, apply analytic and problem-solving skills to independently develop sound decisions, conclusions, and recommendations.
In addition, the ideal candidate will possess a working understanding of the following:
  • Knowledge of Portland's history, including an understanding of the impact of zoning and development on gentrification, displacement of communities of color, and economic development, to guide decision-making and policy development.
  • Ability to collaborate with communities of color and people historically under-represented in local decision-making; facilitate inclusive participation in programs, projects, and activities; and communicate cross-culturally.
  • Ability to effectively collaborate with labor unions, stakeholder groups, bureau management, regional government entities, community-based organizations, and the private sector.
Although not required, you may have:
Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Business/Public Administration, or closely related field and ten (10) years of increasingly responsible management experience related to economic development, real estate development, community development, or closely related-field.

STEP 1: Apply online between Monday, November 25, 2024 – Monday, January 6, 2025

Required Application Materials:

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
    • Details are key! The City uses a merit-based system, so your cover letter should be thorough and specifically address each qualification listed in the "To Qualify" section of the job announcement. Your cover letter can exceed one page to ensure you are able to provide the detailed information for every qualification. Follow the instructions, as a subject matter expert will be evaluating your details to confirm that you meet the minimum requirements.
  • Answer to three (3) Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)
  • Equity Statement
In addition to providing a cover letter/resume, please submit a separate equity statement outlining your commitment and track record to diversity, equity and inclusion. Experiences may include, but are not limited to the following:
  • Lived experience as a member of an underrepresented group.
  • Experience living, working and meaningfully interacting with individuals with a variety of identities.
  • Track record of instilling equity and inclusion within operations.
If your experiences are different from those listed and you have a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, please explain how you will manifest that commitment in this position.

Equity Commitment:
For those applicants who meet the qualifications of this position, in accordance with the adoption of the Charles Jordan Standard and the City of Portland's commitment to equity, the highest qualified minority candidate, highest qualified woman, and highest qualified candidate who identifies as a person with a disability will be included in the final interview process. To be considered under the Charles Jordan Standard, we will be asking applicants who meet the qualifications for this position to include information identifying their status as a minority, woman, and/or identification as an individual with a disability in the required equity statement.

Please see the City's Charles Jordan Standard Portland Resolution No. 37180 for more information

Optional Application Materials:

  • Veteran documents to request for Veteran Preference (ex, DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter, etc.)
Application Tips:
  • Your cover letter should include details describing your education, training and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflects your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
  • Your resume should support the details described in your cover letter.
  • How We Determine Pay: The City of Portland is covered by the Oregon Equal Pay Act. Your salary is determined based on the experience listed in your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all your relevant experience.
  • Do not attach materials not requested.
  • All completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than on the closing date and time of this recruitment.
  • All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process. E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.
  • You can use AI tools to assist with your job application, but please make sure to personalize your responses to supplemental questions. Avoid copying and pasting; instead, use AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills.

Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of January 6, 2025

  • An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and cover letter, weighted 100%.
  • Your resume and cover letter will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
  • You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you like to review and discuss your evaluation result. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.
  • Additional evaluation may be required prior to establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of January 6, 2025

  • Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.

Step 4: Selection (Interview): January/February 2025

  • Hiring bureau will review applications, select candidates to interview, and conduct interviews.
  • There are likely multiple rounds of interviews for this director-level position.

Step 5: Offer of Employment: March/April 2025

Step 6: Start Date: April 2025

  • A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.

*Timeline is approximate and subject to change*

Click here for additional information regarding the following:
  • Veteran Preference
  • ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations
  • Work Status
  • Equal Employment Opportunity

Salary172,723.20 - 250,972.80 Annual
Listing Type
Jobs
Categories
Government/Public Agency | Management
Position Type
Full Time
Employer Type
Direct Employer
Salary Min
172723.20
Salary Max
250972.80
Salary Type
/yr.

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