Director Permitting Divison

The Department of Local Services is seeking a Division Director for our Permitting Division to lead a high-impact team at the intersection of land use development and public service. This role shapes how communities growbalancing efficiency equity and environmental stewardship while delivering clear customer-focused permitting services.

As Division Director youll set strategic direction lead talented multidisciplinary product lines and partner across agencies jurisdictions and communities to modernize permitting systems and improve outcomes for residents and businesses alike. If youre a collaborative forward-thinking leader who thrives in complexity and believes public service can be both effective and human-centered this is your opportunity to make a lasting regional impact.

Our commitment to Equity Racial and Social Justice
The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work. Our pledge is to cultivate embrace and celebrate the distinct experiences viewpoints and perspectives of our people partners and the communities we serve. Through this work we dismantle systemic barriers address inequities and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.

JOB DUTIES

Applying equity racial and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County this role you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values behaviors and practices to all aspects of the work.

• Provide strategic leadership and executive directionfor the Permitting Division ensuring alignment with Department of Local Services goals County priorities and the needs of unincorporated King County communities.
• Oversee all permitting programs and services for unincorporated King County ensuring effective consistent and lawful administration across urban rural and resource land contexts.
• Lead and develop division leadership and management staff including the Deputy Division Director fostering a culture of accountability collaboration continuous improvement and employee engagement.
• Establish division-wide performance goals and service standards and ensure systems are in place to monitor outcomes related to timeliness quality customer service equity and transparency.
• Guide and sponsor organizational process and technology modernization effortsto improve permitting efficiency customer experience and long-term system sustainability.
• Serve as the primary executive representative for the Permitting Division engaging with County leadership elected officials partner agencies jurisdictions tribes community organizations and the development community.
• Ensure consistent interpretation and application of County codes and policies while supporting flexible solution-oriented approaches to complex or high-profile permitting issues.
• Advance King Countys Equity Racial and Social Justice principles by embedding equity accessibility and inclusion into permitting policies practices workforce development and community engagement.
• Provide executive oversight of division budgeting and resource allocation ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment of staffing and investments with service delivery priorities.
• Ensure legal compliance risk management and public accountability including public records oversight transparency obligations and clear accessible public communication.

Values

• Serve with integrity.
• Show initiative and work hard.
• Prioritize outcomes over optics.
• Center those most impacted and put boots on the ground.
• Solve problems with a yes and mindset
• Work as one adaptable mission-driven team

EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS KNOWLEDGE SKILLS

Minimum qualifications:

• Ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in permitting land use regulation development services community development or a closely related public-sector environment.
• At least five years of senior leadership experience overseeing managers and multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated expertise in land use codes zoning regulations environmental review building codes and/or development permitting processes.
• Experience ensuring consistent lawful interpretation and application of regulatory frameworks.
• Proven ability to lead large complex operational programs with measurable performance goals and accountability systems.
• Experience managing significant operating budgets and aligning financial and staffing resources with strategic priorities.
• Demonstrated success leading organizational change process improvement or technology modernization initiatives.
• Experience with:
  • SEPA
  • Shoreline Management Act
  • GMA
  • building/code administration
  • permitting technology systems
  • Budget and organizational leadership
  • Experience engaging effectively with elected officials executive leadership partner agencies community stakeholders and the development community.
  • Demonstrated commitment to advancing equity racial and social justice principles in policy development operational practices and community engagement.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree in public administration urban planning law engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience leading enterprise-level permitting system modernization or digital transformation initiatives.
• Experience working in a large complex county or metropolitan government organization.
• Familiarity with Washington State land use and growth management regulations.
• Professional certification relevant to permitting or planning (e.g. AICP PE ICC).
• Demonstrated track record of improving customer experience while maintaining regulatory integrity.
• Experience working collaboratively with tribal governments and historically underrepresented communities.
• Strong public-facing communication skills including experience presenting to governing bodies or community groups.

Supplemental Information

WHO MAY APPLY:This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants.A King County application is required. Please include a resume and cover letter summarizing how you meet the experience qualifications knowledge and skills for the position with your submission.

WORK SCHEDULE:The work week is normally Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. but may at times require work outside of normal business hours. This position is Exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.

We work in the office four days per weekto foster connection and responsiveness arrive prepared and on time and structure meetings with clear goals and next steps.

EMERGENCY DESIGNATION STATUS:This position has been designated Mission Critical -Those employees who provide maintain and re-establish essential county functions as described in agency Continuity of Operations plans.

Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive department director or agency head all employees regardless of designation are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather.

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