Salary : $118,242.38 - $137,964.38 Annually
Location : 1700 Civic Drive, DuPont, WA, WA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 00059
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 11/10/2026
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: EXEMPT
DescriptionThe City of DuPont supports work-life balance, including the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule.
Benefits for this position include comprehensive medical coverage with low employee premiums, 168 hours of vacation front-loaded at the beginning of each calendar year (prorated upon hire), 7 floating holidays, 12 paid holidays, and retirement benefits through WA State PERS.
GENERAL PURPOSEUnder general supervision, this position is responsible for the day-to-day management and oversight of the City's planning functions including comprehensive land use planning, zoning, development review, environmental protection, housing, sustainability and special projects. The position provides leadership and direction to planning staff, manages consultants on assigned projects. The position provides technical leadership on complex development projects and ensures planning activities comply with all applicable regulations and policies, aligning planning activities with the City's Comprehensive Plan to achieve desired outcomes. The role requires management and supervisory experience, advanced professional and technical knowledge, independent judgement and strong problem-solving skills.
SUPERVISION RECEIVEDWorks under the general supervision of the Public Services Director.
SUPERVISION EXERCISEDProvides supervision and direction to planning and support staff; manages consultants on a project basis, as assigned.
Examples of Duties ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES- Manages and administers the operations of the Community Development Division, including oversight of current planning (development review) and long-range planning functions as directed; ensures development review services are delivered in a timely and consistent manner, while advancing broader planning policy objectives.
- Provides technical guidance on regulations, city planning, and development review practices, ensuring high-quality analysis and recommendations.
- Communicates complex planning and development issues clearly to a variety of audiences, and engages with the public, developers and stakeholders to build a shared understanding of the City's goals, policies and regulatory obligations.
- Responsible for leading and coordinating the City's long-range planning programs and major planning projects such as comprehensive plan updates, code amendments and sub-area plans, ensuring alignment between adopted policy and development outcomes, consistent with applicable state and local policies andregulations.
- Administers the review of land use and development applications, ensuring proposals are consistent with comprehensive plan policies, the DuPont Municipal Code and applicable regulations and that decisions are well-reasoned and defensible. Serves as technical authority for complex, high-profile, or sensitive development proposals; provides direction on code interpretations, conditions of approval and decision frameworks.
- Serves as a strategic advisor to City leadership on land use, development trends, growth management, economic development and policy issues. Integrates land use planning with broader City priorities, including housing, sustainability, transportation and infrastructure planning.
- Prepares and presents reports, plans, analyses and policy recommendations for review by City Council, Planning Commission, Hearing Examiner and other municipal bodies and the public.
- Manages assigned staff, including reviewing and approving timesheets; participates in the recruitment and selection process for new employees and promotional positions; administers on-going performance management including staff professional development, goal setting, feedback, corrective action and training; and models and promotes a high standard of professionalism, integrity and accountability in all organizational interactions, supporting a positive and collaborative work environment. Maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information, consistent with Federal and State rules and regulations.
- Promotes a responsive, solution-oriented customer service approach and demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with the community, customers, visitors, elected/appointed officials and staff.
- Performs related duties as required or assigned.
PERIPHERAL DUTIES- Serve as a member of various local and regional committees, as assigned.
- Attend professional development workshops and conferences regarding long-range planning and professional development.
- Respond to public inquiries regarding assigned projects.
Typical Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSEducation and ExperienceGraduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in Land Use Planning, Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Geography, Urban Design or closely related studies. Additional requirements include: five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in recent municipal planning experience, including two (2) years of management or supervisory experience; Washington State municipal planning experience, including comprehensive planning, environmental analysis, development of land use policies, and zoning implementation is preferred; or any combination of related education and experience or training that, in the opinion of the City, would provide the level of knowledge and abilities required.
Knowledge, Abilities & Skills- Principles, practices, methods, regulations and techniques of current and long-range planning including land use, zoning, development review, urban design, transportation, environmental planning, housing and economic development.
- Interpreting and applying applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations related to land use and development including the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), shoreline management, development standards and development/project administration.
- Project management, consultant procurement and administration, grant management, budgeting, and program evaluation principles.
- Management, including staff leadership, performance management, coaching, training and team development.
- Preparing, presenting and explaining complex technical and policy information clearly and effectively in written reports, public meetings, hearing and presentations.
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships and coordinating effectively with staff, elected and appointed officials, applicants, partner agencies, multidisciplinary teams and members of the public representing diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
- Managing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects, timelines and competing demands in a fast-paced environment. Using initiative, independent judgement and sound decision-making within established laws, policies and procedural guidelines.
- Proficiency in using permitting systems, GIS applications, Microsoft 365 applications, and other planning-related software and technology tools.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTSVerification of authority to work in the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act.
Additional Information TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USEDOffice equipment including personal computer and related software applications, city-owned motor vehicle, calculator, phone, copy machine, facsimile machine.
PHYSICAL DEMANDSThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed mostly in office settings. Outdoor work may be necessary to examine physical site conditions. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate tools and equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand or sit; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENTThe working environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to extreme weather conditions or airborne particles.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office and moderate in the field.
SELECTION GUIDELINEFormal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference checks are required. Job related tests may be required. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description and or announcement does not constitute an expressed or implied employment agreement between the City and the employee and is subject to change by the City as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change provided that the employer has bargained the changes with any appropriate union pursuant to RCW 41.56 et seq.
Persons needing assistance in the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 253-912-5388 or duponthr@dupontwa.gov. If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.
01
United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident?
02
Do you have a valid driver's license with no pending risk of loss? If yes, please include which state.
03
Have you graduated from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in Land Use Planning, Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Geography, Urban Design or closely related studies?
04
Do you have five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in recent municipal planning experience, including two (2) years of management or supervisory experience?
05
Do you have experience in Washington State municipal planning experience, including comprehensive planning, environmental analysis, development of land use policies, and zoning implementation (preferred not required)?
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Are you able to meet the physical demand requirements of this position with or without reasonable accommodations?
Required Question
