Community Development Director

Salary : $142,700.06 - $204,968.61 Annually
Location : Corvallis, OR
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 24-00173
Department: Development
Division: MANAGEMENT & CONFIDENTIAL
Opening Date: 10/11/2024
Closing Date: 11/3/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit:: Management
Classification:: Administrator 1
FLSA Exempt Status: Overtime Exempt
Job Summary
Benton County, Oregon, is seeking a strategic problem-solver who has a passion for public service, expertise in community development and an aptitude for building relationships!
Job Summary
The Community Development Director is responsible for the operations, strategic direction, and personnel of the Community Development Department. The department is comprised of the County's land use planning, building permitting, code compliance, solid waste management and water quality programs. The Director oversees policy initiatives, program development and outcomes of assigned programs while ensuring program outcomes, advancement of Board of Commissioners priorities, and accountability to the public. This position is responsible for decisions that significantly impact individual property owners, environmental quality, and community livability. Additionally, the Director will oversee the activities of both the County's Planning Official and Building Official, to ensure compliance with state standards, rules, and regulations.
This position collaborates and works closely with other County Directors in assuring delivery of integrated services. The Community Development Department Director is an at-will position and serves at the pleasure of the County Administrator and reports directly to the Assistant County Administrator.
Community Development builds on a history of developing innovative programs and initiatives, and this position is critical in continuing that effort by leading key initiatives such as:

• Shifting from a solid waste management approach to one that focuses and prioritizes full life cycle materials management;
• Evolving the code compliance program into a pro-active, community-based problem-solving program; and
• Re-evaluating and improving critical community development business and program functions to meet the needs of the community more efficiently and effectively.

Click here for a complete list of the duties, responsibilities and physical requirements of this position.
The first review of applications will be on October 25, 2024.
Applications that are submitted after this date may or may not be considered for interviews. The posting may close without notice after the first review date when a sufficient number of qualified candidates are received.
Your Total Compensation/Benefits

• We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of our employees and their families. Competitive benefits and an active employee wellness program are a top priorities for the County. See the "Benefits " tab for details.
• Annual salary range of:
  • $142,700.06 - $204,968.61.
  • This position is eligible for up to two salary raises within your first year . Increases may be given at the end of the 6 month probationary period, depending on starting salary and at the 1 year anniversary, as long as your performance is in good standing! Increases are given until the maximum of the salary range is reached.

The strength of our organization lies in the diversity of our workforce and the perspectives our employees bring to their work at Benton County.
We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQIA+ community members.
Minimum Qualifications
The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:

• Bachelor's degree (Master's preferred) in planning, geography, public administration, or a closely related field.; AND
• 10 years of experience in land use planning and/or building code regulation, including both
  • 5 years of government experience, with a preference for those that have worked at the local jurisdictional level, in areas such as land use planning, solid waste management, economic development, or building code regulation/enforcement. AND
  • 5 years of experience supervising staff that have managed, lead, or performed functions related to land use planning, water quality programs, solid waste and/or full cycles material management, regulating/enforcing building code regulations, or other governmental programs or activities that are focus on community development type activities. (Supervisory experience includes the authority to hire, terminate, assign, reward and discipline other employees)
• Certification from American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Special Requirements

• A cover letter is required to be submitted with your application. It should be no more than two pages in length and describe your experience related to the minimum qualifications listed above, and experience establishing and maintaining positive, professional, collaborative relationships with a variety of internal and external partners, stakeholders and community members.
• Significant knowledge of Oregon's land use planning system.
• Public Speaking Experience.

Ideal Candidate
Benton County's next Community Development Director will be an adaptable, strategic, service-oriented, unconditional team player, and an open communicator. The ideal candidate must be collaborative, inclusive, consistent, fair, and thoughtful but decisive in decision-making and problem resolution as well as committed to stewardship of County resources.
In addition, the ideal candidate will possess experience in the following areas:

• Master's Degree in planning, geography, public administration or another related field.
• Strategic planning, program development and administration.
• Municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Economic development and small business development and retention.
• Real estate finance and development.
• Oregon Building Codes and Construction.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and Local laws, codes, and regulations.

Salary Placement:
Your application will be used to determine salary placement. Please ensure you have provided a thorough and updated application as it pertains to the position for which you are applying. For further information, please click on the link:
Questions regarding this position can be directed to Rick Crager, Assistant County Administrator
Benton County Board of Commissioners
Telephone: (541) 766-6246
How to Apply

• To apply for this position, click on the "Apply" button to fill out all information in the online application and complete the questionnaire. Failure to do so may result in your application being removed from consideration.
• Only complete applications received by the posted application deadline date, or the first review date will be considered.
• Answer all supplemental questions and attach a cover letter.

After you Apply

• You will get an email stating your application has been submitted. Log in to your Neo Gov account before the job announcement closes to see if you have any pending tasks or notifications, and make sure to complete these tasks before the job announcement closes. These can be found under the "My Applications" section.
• Be sure to check both your email and NeoGov account for updates regarding this recruitment.
• Tentative Interview Schedule:
  • First interviews will be November 12th, 2024.
  • Second Interviews will be November 19th, 2024

Working & Living in Benton County
Established in 1847, nearly 12 years before Oregon became a state in 1859. Benton County (pop. 93,053; 679 sq. mi.) is in the middle of the Willamette Valley, with Corvallis (pop. 61,027) as the county seat. The County is the state's fourth smallest in terms of area and medium-sized with respect to population. Corvallis is home to Oregon State University (OSU), the city's largest employer. Most of the rest of the county is farm and forest land, reflecting a much treasured rural heritage.
The quality of life here is very high, a perfect blend of rural, urban, and small town living, with unlimited access to Oregon's coveted outdoor lifestyle. Corvallis is dynamic, safe, and friendly, a thriving college town with many cultural offerings. Portland's world-class urban amenities, major sports venues, and Portland International Airport are 90 minutes to the north, and Eugene and its airport are less than an hour south.
The area offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities year-round, with easy access to the mountains, ocean, rivers, streams, and wilderness. The Oregon Coast is an hour away. Corvallis is a gold-level Bike Friendly Community with bike lanes on 98 percent of the collector and arterial roadways and eighteen miles of multi-use paths. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ranks Benton County as one of the top three healthiest counties in Oregon.
Working at Benton County
Living in Benton County
Additional information

• This is a FLSA exempt position.
• Please save a copy of this job announcement for your reference, as it may not be available for you to view after the job closes.
• Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. For further information, please see the following website: NOTE: If claiming veterans' preference please be sure to attach your DD214 or Disability letter from the VA.
• Benton County does not offer VISA sponsorships. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. Benton County will review these documents to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.
• If you wish to identify yourself as an individual with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and will be requesting accommodation, please contact the Benton County Human Resources Department by calling 541-766-6081.

Benton County is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to work force diversity, fair employment practices and non-discrimination, including pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, marital status, family status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or source of income.
Helpful links and contact information
Learn more about
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For more information you may contact us by e-mail at or by phone at 541-766-6081.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AT BENTON COUNTY
Working for the County is so much more than a job. It is a chance to make a local difference - in your own life and the lives of the people around you.
Perfectly placed in the Willamette Valley, ninety miles south of Portland and forty miles north of Eugene, Benton County has easy access to urban areas with ample opportunities for cultural and major sporting events. Combined with unmatched outdoor recreation, County residents like to say they "have it all". With the Cascade Range, eighty miles to the East, and the Pacific Ocean fifty miles to the West - going out for a day at the beach, fishing, hunting, cycling or hiking is all within reach - Benton County truly offers something for everyone.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of its employees and their families. Competitive benefits and an active employee wellness program is a top priority for the County.
Benefits Package Details

• Generous time off to maintain a healthy work-life balance!
  • 10 Paid Holidays + 64 Personal Leave Hours (for Exempt Employees) + 2 Floating Holidays + 8 hours of vacation accrual every month + sick leave! Vacation accrual increases with years of service.
• $0 Health Insurance Premium!
  • Medical, Dental and Vision - cover your eligible family members without additional premium.
  • In addition, the County contributes up to $1,400 per year to your Health Savings or Health Reimbursement account!
    • Apart from your deductible, you can use this money for things that aren't traditionally paid by insurance - i.e. Ibuprofen, Tylenol and other preventative type medications.
    • You never lose your Health Savings Account funds as it rolls over from year to year.
• Dependents up to age 26 are covered!

Get ready for retirement. Generous employer paid contributions!

• After 6 months of employment:
  • The County makes a retirement contribution of 6% of your salary towards Oregon PERS!
  • The County makes a deferred compensation 457b plan contribution of 3% of your salary! You can add more if you wish.

A free and award-winning wellness program

• Interactive and personalized approach focused on your whole health.
• Onsite and virtual seminars, wellness challenges and fun activities.
• Monetary incentives and cool prizes to engage everyone and meet your individual needs!

100% employer-paid coverage for AD&D ($100,000), Life ($10,000), and Long Term Disability coverage.

• Supplemental plans are available at reasonable rates.

Have benefits questions?

• Reach out to us anytime:

01
Please describe your experience in land use planning building code regulation, and any other community development functions at the governmental level. Be sure to clearly delineate any experience at the local jurisdiction level.
02
Please describe your knowledge of Oregon's land use planning system.
03
Please describe your public speaking experience; particularly in areas in which you've had to address complex or controversial issues with the general public or elected officials.
04
How many years of supervisory experience do you have?(Supervisory experience includes the authority to hire, terminate, assign, reward and discipline other employees.)

• Less than 2
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 years
• 6 years or more

05
Reminder: A cover letter highlighting relevant work experience is required for this job posting. Have you attached one as requested?

• Yes
• No

Required Question