Deputy Director of Land Use Planning

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:

$89,627.24 - $134,439.70 Annual

Department:

Department of Community Services (DCS)

Job Type:

Regular Non-Represented

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

January 29, 2025

The Opportunity:

Overview:

This Work Matters!
Are you passionate about land use and protecting natural resources to sustain and enhance the communities of Multnomah County?  Are you a people-person who values connection, teamwork and transparent communication? Are you interested in engaging with community and regional land use partners about their community needs?  Do you promote equity, diversity and inclusion as a policy and a practice?   

If you are a progressive and thoughtful leader with a desire to reflect community values through improving public health and safety, promoting livability, resiliency and sustainability, protecting and preserving the environment, and providing quality government services we invite you to learn more about this exciting opportunity to serve as the Deputy Director of Land Use Planning for Multnomah County.

About the Position:
Multnomah County Land Use Planning is seeking a trusted, dedicated, and creative professional to serve as the next Deputy Director.  The ideal candidate will work with the Director to inspire and motivate staff to fulfill the program’s mission, be comfortable with and competent in working with complex and publicly visible issues, have extensive technical knowledge of Oregon’s Land Use Planning Program, and demonstrate successful experience partnering with a wide range of stakeholders. The position would manage a portfolio of planning programs as assigned, one or more of which may include Current Planning, Long Range Planning including the Zoning Code Update, Code Compliance and Solid Waste and Recycling. 

Examples of Duties:

• Plan, organize, manage, and administer land use planning functions
• Implement and assist in the development of department policies, procedures, and business practices
• Develop procedures to implement new and/or changing regulatory requirements
• Serve as an advisor to elected officials and represent the county to the public, elected officials, other agencies, governments, and organizations
• Develop, administer, assist, and monitor budgets
• Manage funding from grants, contracts and community partners
• Provide direction, guidance, and leadership to three to six staff
• Review, analyze, and prepare quasi-judicial and legislative reports and recommendations on significant land use applications such as conditional uses, plan amendments, annexations, and zoning changes
• Prepare new or revised ordinances and codes to implement planning programs and policies
• Coordinate implementation of new programs with other agencies and departments to ensure conformance and compliance with existing programs and policies. 
• Conduct special studies performing comprehensive analysis, technical investigations, and research
• Prepare reports on the more complex and sensitive planning issues

About Multnomah County Land Use Planning:
The Multnomah County Land Use Planning program facilitates land uses, development and housing while ensuring the preservation and protection of wildlife, streams, scenic views, recreational areas such as the Columbia River Gorge, forest lands, and farm and nursery production.  We value sustainability and an eye to the future, and believe that maintaining the quality of life and public safety in the rural areas of Multnomah County provides a social benefit that serves those on both sides of the urban growth boundary.

Multnomah County Land Use Planning serves the unincorporated areas of Multnomah County with three primary functions.  Current Planning helps property owners and applicants with their development and land use proposals, and Code Compliance ensures implementation consistent with land use laws. Long Range Planning serves the broader community by creating and updating zoning maps and codes and the Comprehensive Plan, working closely with stakeholders to align local, regional and state land use priorities.  

Underlying our work is our commitment to community livability – building trust and empowerment through supporting community planning, engaging in ongoing dialogue, transparency and education to ensure that Multnomah County residents and visitors continue to experience the beauty of Multnomah County and the surrounding areas.

We also offer a generous benefits package!  Please see the end of this posting for more information.

The Ideal Candidate:
The preferred candidate will bring these skills and strengths:

• Ability to provide leadership, direction and effective implementation to achieve goals and objectives
• Desire to work with staff to determine goals and priorities for the Division
• Experience in change management, including examining and updating workflow processes
• Solution-orientated, problem-solver, and innovative in meeting the customer’s needs. Confidence in your executive decision-making and direction, and the ability to align and lead internal and external stakeholders and leaders to achieve goals
• Thorough knowledge of and ability to effectively apply principles and best practices of administration in the public sector, including methods and techniques used in budgeting and fiscal administration, project management, program evaluation and strategic planning
• Verbal and written communication skills with the ability to clearly and concisely communicate effectively
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of people contacted in the course of work; ability to effectively resolve problems and conflicts and/or negotiate solutions to complex and sensitive issues
• Ability to effectively identify and respond to the public and elected officials’ issues and concerns with tact, diplomacy and sensitivity
• Ability to motivate and lead staff and support countywide and Department of Community Services change initiatives to grow and foster an inclusive and productive workplace
• Ability to serve as the Interim Planning Director, upon request

And demonstrate these core competencies:

Strategic Planning

• Creativity and Innovation: Ability to generate new and innovative approaches to problem solving that are effective and responsive
• Flexibility: Adjust quickly to changing priorities and conditions
• Strategic Vision: Ability to translate big-picture vision and goals into plans that are realistic and effective

Leading People

• Creating a positive work-culture: Encouraging teamwork and transparent communication, while empowering staff to solve problems independently
• Change Management: Update existing policies and practices to meet the current needs of the customers
• Cultural Competency: Ability to develop and maintain working relationships in cross-cultural situations

Building Coalitions

• Partnering: Build alliances and collaborate across boundaries to build strategic relationships
• Strategic thinking: Manage human, financial and information resources strategically
• Resources: Look for opportunities to leverage partnerships or bring in outside financial resources

About Us:

The Department
Multnomah County Land Use Planning is a division of the Department of Community Services.  In addition to Land Use Planning, Multnomah County Department of Community Services comprises additional unique and essential government services, including Animal Services, Elections, Transportation (roads and bridges), and Business Services.

The common mission of these diverse lines of business is articulated in this very simple statement: Inclusive community.  Accessible services.

The County
At Multnomah County, our organization’s top priority is to meet the many needs of our residents.  We provide a wide array of essential services, including: health, community justice, roads, elections, libraries, jails, bridges, tax and assessment, marriage licenses, animal services, passports, mental health and addiction services and more.

The county and its departments are governed by our non-partisan, publicly-elected Board of County Commissioners. The board is made up of four commissioners representing their respective districts and the chair of the board, who serves as the chief executive officer for the county. 

Our diverse, dynamic workforce consists of more than 5,000 employees whose work collectively touches every person who lives, works or does business in Multnomah County.  As an organization, we value a culture of inclusivity, sustainability and innovation.  And we continuously strive to improve the quality of life for county employees and residents alike. 

Working for Multnomah County means having the opportunity to make a real difference in the community, no matter what position you hold.

To Qualify
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant.

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills:

• A Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, geography, real estate, public administration, or related field (Equivalent training and practical experience may substitute for the educational requirement);
• Five (5) years of experience as a subject matter expert in land use planning, programs and laws that includes implementing Oregon’s Land Use Planning program
• At least two (2) years of supervisory experience or lead program management experience.

Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• A Master’s degree (a Master’s degree can substitute for one (1) year of management experience)
• Three (3) or more years of supervisory experience
• County level experience in current planning, long range planning and code compliance
• Experience successfully completing increasingly difficult assignments having significant impact or risk

Screening and Evaluation

The Application Packet:

• A completed online application.
• An uploaded resume covering relevant experience and education.  Please include the following for each employer: name of employer, location, dates of employment, your title, and a summary of your responsibilities, and if applicable, the number of employees under your supervision.
• An uploaded cover letter that expands on your resume and addresses why you are interested in this opportunity, and provides specific examples to demonstrate how your experience and skills align with the descriptions in the “Overview” section of this job posting, and meet the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position.  Please limit your cover letter to one page.

Note: The application, resume, and cover letter should clearly demonstrate your work experience/skills and how they relate to the descriptions provided in the ‘Overview’ and ‘To Qualify’ sections of this job posting.  Please be thorough, as these materials will be used to determine your eligibility for an interview.

When completing the application on Workday as an external candidate through https://multco.us/jobs, you will come to a page where you will see the "Resume/CV" section. This is the place where you will need to upload your resume and cover letter by clicking the “Upload” button for EACH document you’d like to upload.  There will be no other prompts for you to upload your resume and cover letter.

If you are an internal candidate, your job application will consist of the career profile that you complete in Workday.  Before you apply, please make sure to do the following:

• Navigate to your profile in Workday (see: employee launch guide) and click on the “Career” section of your profile.
• Complete all sections of your career profile (Job History, Education, Skills, Languages, Certifications, etc.).

When completing the application on Workday as an internal candidate, you will need to scroll down to see the “Resume/Cover Letter” section on your screen.  This is the place where you will need to upload your resume and cover letter by clicking the “Upload” button for EACH document you’d like to upload.  There will be no other prompts for you to upload your resume and cover letter.

Do not click the “Submit” button before you upload your documents.

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• Evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates.
• Consideration of top candidates, which may include phone interviews, panel interviews, and/or additional testing.
• Professional reference checks.

Additional Details 
Only apply once for this opportunity. 

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time, part-time, temporary, limited duration, and on-call positions.

Type of Position:  This salaried, non-represented position is not eligible for overtime.

Hybrid Telework: This position is designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will be working both remotely (from home) and in person at an onsite location. This position will be expected to be in person at least three days during the work week.  The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the county cannot support ongoing telework from other locations. 

Schedule:  Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. There may be some flexibility with the regular start and end times. This position may also be required to attend and participate in various night meetings, typically ranging from 1-2 meetings per month on average.

Location: 1600 SE 190th Avenue, Portland, OR 97233 or 1403 SE Water Avenue, Portland OR 97214

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters
Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

Recruiter:

Angie Larson

Email:

angie.r.larson@multco.us

Phone:

+1 (503) 4079569

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Job Profile:

9146 - Planner Principal