Planning & Development Services Director

First Review of Applications: March 23, 2026

The typical hiring range for this position is steps 1-3, based on education, experience, and qualifications. The salary listed is for steps 1 through 6 and is the classification for Planning and Development Services. This includes the maximum earnings for the classifications with longevity for service years, per Washington State Pay Transparency Act.

Your job in the department is to . . . 

The Planning & Development Services Director is responsible for ensuring the city’s planning and permitting responsibilities are carried out in a timely and effective manner that meets all state requirements. As such, the Director establishes the department’s priorities, most important of which is to provide outstanding customer service and to supervise the Planning & Development staff.  The Planning & Development Services Director is also responsible for all long-range planning and regional coordination and is also a member of the City’s Management Team, a team which provides assistance and counsel to the Mayor and City Administrator.

Tasks listed are intended to be descriptive and not restrictive.  An employee in this classification may perform any of the tasks listed; however, these examples do not include all the tasks which an employee may be expected to perform.

Indicate the frequency each function is performed (D=Daily, W=Weekly, M=Monthly, Q=Quarterly, AN=As Needed). 

Estimate the distribution of total working time on an annual basis using percentages of not less than 5%. Total percentage of time must add up to 100%.

Number of Job Functions: 4

JOB FUNCTIONS	FREQUENCY	ANNUAL % OF TIME
Department Oversight Assumes full management responsibility for all Planning Department services and activities including permitting, permit review, building inspections and related programs, services, and activities.  Manages the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, and priorities for each assigned service area; recommends and administers policies and procedures.  Directs the long-range planning program (i.e. staffs the Planning Commission, represents the city on regional committees, ensures the Land Use Development Code and Comprehensive Plan are kept up to date and compliant with all legal requirements, and manages the periodic updates) Establishes, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocates resources accordingly.  Assists the Mayor and City Administrator in maintaining/improving city operations; conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations and operational studies; recommends modifications to public works programs, policies and procedures as appropriate. Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for assigned staff; assigns work activities, projects and programs; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.  Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the department budget; approves the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.   Serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions and committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.  Attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the field of urban planning.	D	55%
Compliance & Regulations Coordinates and participates in resolving processing problems regarding applications and/or permits; revises codes as necessary to meet City requirements.  Conducts review of environmental checklists for applications to ensure compliance with SEPA guidelines.  Prepares draft code revisions that implement the City’s Plan and relevant state laws.  Prepares administrative rules and procedures for the City’s development process and information documents that make that process clear and understandable to the public.  Reviews applications for land use and development for conformance to City requirements.  Oversees the review of building plans; performs review of simple building plans for conformance with the Uniform Building Code as necessary.  Performs inspections of development for conformance to plans and regulations including some basic building permits.	AN	30%
Customer Service & Interdepartmental Collaboration Provides customer service and serves as liaison to City staff, applicants, developers, consultants, the general public, and outside organizations and agencies regarding City codes, policies, standards, processes, and requirements over the phone or at the public counter; reviews permit applications; responds to zoning and land use questions; investigates zoning issues and complaints; advises property owners, developers, and the general public on relevant City ordinances and regulations.  Provides staff support for hearings and meetings that deal with development permits and processes; works with Planning Commission, Design Review Board, Hearing Examiner, and ad hoc committees on community development issues.  Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.	AN	10%
Employee Development Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.	AN	5%

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

4 - Supervision of a larger work group. This level is typical for managers who supervise other supervisors or a group of professional employees. Responsibility for staffing and performance management, as well as budgeting and planning functions. (managers)

Indicate the MINIMUM educational level required and the number of years of relevant experience required to perform the duties of the position.

Minimum Education Level

3 - Bachelors (if specific fields, list below)

Specifics: Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, geography, or related field.

Minimum Experience Level

Six years plus (if in specific skills/fields, list below)

Specifics: Eight years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience including two years of administrative and supervisory responsibility.

Substitution Note: A combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position.

Certifications

Certification(s) required (list specifics below)

Specifics: AICP

Driver’s License

Other vehicle credential required (list specifics below)

Specifics: Washington State Driver’s License

Other Licenses

None required

Specifics: N/A

Desirable Qualifications:  Current and long-range planning for a municipality, supervisory and customer service experience and strong public presentation skills are highly desired.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Environment: Indoor and outdoor environments; travel from site to site; exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, electrical currents, toxic agents/chemicals, and inclement weather conditions; work with or in water; work and/or walk on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain. 

Physical: Incumbents require sufficient mobility to work in an office and field setting; stand, stoop, reach, bend, kneel, squat, and walk on uneven terrain, loose soil and sloped surfaces; reach and twist; push, pull, lift, and/or carry moderate amounts of weights; operate assigned equipment and vehicles; requires a sense of touch, finger dexterity, and gripping with hands and fingers; ability to verbally communicate to exchange information. 

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; and to operate assigned equipment; specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The City of Snohomish is committed to providing reasonable accommodations as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and essential functions expected of the position.   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

Salary : $148,212 - $191,436