Assistant Director of Community Development, Policy

City of Sammamish•Sammamish, WA

13h•Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Sammamish is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and forward-thinking leader to serve as its next Community Development Assistant Director, Policy. This executive-level position offers a unique opportunity to help guide the future of a growing community by leading the development of policies, plans, and initiatives that address housing, land use, infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and community development priorities. The Community Development Assistant Director (Policy) is a senior leadership position responsible for advancing the City’s policy framework to address land use, housing, construction, infrastructure, and community development challenges. Reporting to the Community Development Director, this position leads the development and implementation of policies, codes, regulations, and strategic initiatives that guide growth, support equitable outcomes, and respond to community needs. The position provides executive oversight of Long-Range Planning, policy development, legislative work programs, management analysts, and departmental support functions, ensuring coordinated planning, organizational effectiveness, and implementation of Citywide priorities. It leads Comprehensive Plan updates, subarea and neighborhood planning, growth management strategies, and regulatory modernization, while monitoring and responding to changes in state law, regional frameworks, and countywide policy direction to ensure compliance and alignment. The Assistant Director (Policy) collaborates with City leadership, elected officials, the Planning Commission, regional partners, and the community to develop practical policy solutions that implement the Comprehensive Plan and balance housing, environmental stewardship, infrastructure planning, and sense of community. As one of two Assistant Directors, this position works closely with the Assistant Director (Development) to align policy direction with development implementation (regulations) while maintaining clear leadership to ensure consistent delivery of City goals and priorities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public administration, civil engineering, architecture, or a closely related field.
Minimum of seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in municipal planning, administration, or policy development.
At least five (5) years of supervisory or management experience, including leading multiple divisions or teams.
Demonstrated experience in cross-functional coordination and policy development, with a focus on integrating efforts across departments to achieve effective, equitable, and community-centered outcomes through thoughtful regulation and implementation.
Proven experience in policy implementation, regulatory interpretation, and process improvement within a municipal or public-sector environment, with a strong emphasis on independently identifying problems, building trusted community relationships, and developing creative, practical solutions that improve outcomes and responsiveness.
Employees must be residents of Washington State.
May be required to possess and maintain a valid Washington State Driver License and the ability to drive a city owned vehicle per established policies, procedures, and safety guidelines.
Leadership and supervisory skills in managing professional, technical, and operational staff in support of policy development, Comprehensive Plan implementation, and coordinated regulatory delivery that ensures compliance with state, regional, and countywide planning frameworks.
Land use planning, development regulations, permitting processes, building codes, and code compliance practices in Washington State, with emphasis on translating Comprehensive Plan goals into actionable policies, regulations, and implementation strategies.
Architecture and civil engineering principles, including site design, building systems, structural concepts, grading, drainage, utilities, and construction practices, and their application in policy-informed development review, regulatory refinement, and compliance with adopted plans, codes, and standards.
Environmental and natural resource considerations, including wetlands, streams, geohazards, floodplains, significant trees, and wildlife habitat, and their integration into policy development, Comprehensive Plan implementation, and regulatory compliance to support sustainable and resilient community outcomes consistent with state and regional requirements.
Transportation planning and traffic engineering principles, including street and pedestrian design, traffic impact analysis, multimodal transportation systems, and integration with land use policy and Comprehensive Plan objectives to support safe, efficient, and sustainable community mobility.
Housing policy, planning, and development, including affordable housing, middle housing, and housing diversity strategies, and their integration into Comprehensive Plan implementation, land use policy, and regulatory frameworks to support equitable and sustainable growth consistent with state and regional housing requirements.
Regional and state regulatory frameworks, including the Growth Management Act (GMA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), Shoreline Management Act (SMA), Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) guidelines, and guidance from the Washington State Department of Commerce and King County, with emphasis on ensuring City policies, codes, and plans are aligned, compliant, and effectively implemented through the Comprehensive Plan.
Building codes, construction standards, and building inspection practices, including plan review, permit compliance, and enforcement procedures, to ensure alignment between technical standards and policy direction established through the Comprehensive Plan and adopted regulations.
Code compliance processes, including case management, enforcement procedures, legal limitations, and case closure protocols, to ensure consistent, fair, and policy-aligned enforcement of City regulations supporting Comprehensive Plan goals and community expectations.
Permit system configuration and operation, including workflow setup, electronic plan review, tracking, reporting, and integration with development services functions, to support policy implementation, Comprehensive Plan alignment, and coordinated service delivery across departments.
External communications strategies, including social media, website content management, public notices, and community outreach, to support transparent policy development, Comprehensive Plan implementation, and meaningful community engagement in planning and regulatory processes.
Municipal operations, interdepartmental workflows, and development review procedures, with emphasis on aligning operational practices with policy direction and Comprehensive Plan objectives.
Best practices in public-sector customer service and community engagement to support inclusive policy development and responsive implementation of City priorities.
Modern methods, techniques, and best practices in the design, construction, and inspection of development typical to a suburban city, applied in support of policy formation and regulatory consistency.
Oversight of contracts, grants, franchise agreements, and interlocal agreements, ensuring alignment with Comprehensive Plan implementation, policy objectives, and regulatory requirements.
Problem-solving, decision-making, and provision of technical and policy guidance on development proposals, with emphasis on resolving complex issues through innovative, policy-driven solutions that advance Comprehensive Plan goals.
De-escalation, negotiation, and community engagement skills, including the ability to present complex policy and technical information to diverse audiences in support of transparent decision-making and community-informed policy development.
Strong leadership, staff development, and team-building skills, including motivating personnel across multiple workgroups and departments.
Excellent customer service, conflict resolution, and dispute management skills with developers, property owners, and the community.
Ability to analyze complex development issues, identify systemic challenges, and implement operational solutions.
Strong oral and written communication skills, including presenting complex information to City Council, boards, commissions, and the public.
Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships across City departments, regional partners, developers, and stakeholders.
Proficiency in project management, performance metrics, and operational oversight.
Demonstrated ability to develop, lead, and direct strong multi-disciplinary teams.
Ability to foster innovation and apply strategic thinking to provide recommendations and solutions to complex issues.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate on complex programs/projects and develop and maintain strong professional relationships with colleagues, neighboring jurisdictions, regional partners, the community, utility providers, and other stakeholders.
Ability to plan, direct, and evaluate the work of subordinates.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and applicable department / organization specific software and ability to learn and become skilled in the use of other specialized software and online meeting platforms as may be required.
Clearly communicate and understand information in English, both orally and in writing, and use professional composition, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Ability to respond flexibly to changing work assignments and priorities and complete assignments accurately and on time.
Ability to maintain a customer service orientation and positive image of the City to the public, courteous and professional approach to exchanging information, adhere to strict confidentiality requirements.
Ability to maintain regular attendance and arrive punctually for the designated work schedule, including when working remotely per an approved hybrid schedule.
Demonstrated understanding of the City’s diverse and evolving community, applying cultural sensitivity and inclusive practices to development services, policy implementation, and stakeholder engagement while fostering equitable, respectful, and collaborative relationships across staff, residents, and partner agencies.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related field (e.g., Urban/Regional Planning, Public Administration, Public Policy, or Political Science) and/or APA AICP certification strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee the Department’s policy development, long-range planning, legislative implementation, and code modernization functions to support the City’s growth management, housing, land use, environmental, and community development goals.
Direct and supervise Long Range Planning, policy development activities, management analysts, Planning Commission support, and departmental support functions, fostering professional growth, accountability, collaboration, and organizational effectiveness.
Lead development, evaluation, and implementation of policies, codes, regulations, legislative responses and strategic initiatives to address emerging land use, housing, environmental, infrastructure planning, and community needs.
Oversee updates, periodic amendments, interpretation, and implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, subarea plans, neighborhood plans, and related long-range planning initiatives consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
Monitor, analyze, and respond to changes in state law, Growth Management Act requirements, regional policy frameworks, countywide planning policies, and federal regulations to ensure City plans, policies, and regulations remain compliant and strategically aligned.
Identify policy gaps, legislative mandates, long-range planning needs, systemic development issues, and regulatory barriers; develop recommendations and solutions that improve predictability, efficiency, transparency, and community outcomes.
Lead research, analysis, and preparation of policy recommendations, code amendments, legislative updates, and implementation strategies for consideration by City leadership and elected officials.
Coordinate cross-departmental collaboration on policy initiatives, legislative implementation, regulatory changes, and strategic planning efforts to ensure consistent implementation and organizational alignment.
Serve as a strategic advisor to the Director, City leadership, and elected officials on community development trends, legislative impacts, policy priorities, and growth management issues.
Represent the City in regional, interagency, and professional forums related to planning, housing, transportation, environmental policy, and growth management.
Collaborate with community stakeholders, developers, residents, boards, commissions, and partner agencies to develop responsive, balanced, and forward-looking policy solutions.
Oversee public engagement efforts related to long-range planning, policy development, and major community development initiatives.
Present policy recommendations, planning initiatives, code updates, and technical information to the City Council, boards, commissions, community groups, and the public.
Participate in departmental leadership activities, including strategic planning, budgeting, organizational development, legislative work planning and implementation of Citywide priorities.
Collaborate with legal counsel and City leadership to minimize organizational risk and ensure defensible policy and regulatory decisions.
Attend evening and/or weekend meetings and events as required to support organizational responsibilities and community engagement efforts.
Proactively identify, develop, and maintain strategic relationships with regional organizations, partner agencies, internal partners, and external stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, advance City priorities, and effectively position the City in regional policy, planning, and development initiatives.
Serve as a visible and accountable leader by modeling professionalism, responsiveness, customer service, collaboration, and strong work ethic.
Set the standard for office culture and organizational expectations through consistent in-office presence, reliability, timely follow-through, and a commitment to exceeding performance and accountability standards.
Serve as the City’s primary liaison to the Planning Commission by overseeing Commission activities, building strong working relationships with Commissioners, coordinating agendas and long-range work plans with the Chair and Vice Chair, and providing consistent leadership, communication, and support at Commission meetings and related activities.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those interacted with during work regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, military service, or diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Serve as primary owner and strategic advocate of the Vision Statement and Comprehensive Plan overseeing Plan interpretation and implementation.
Lead and oversee departmental policy development, long-range planning, management analyst functions, and administrative support services to ensure alignment with City goals, growth management objectives, and community priorities.
Direct evaluation of policies, procedures, and analytical work products, partnering with management analysts and leadership staff to identify issues, assess policy impacts, and develop solutions that improve regulatory effectiveness and organizational performance.
Monitor workloads, policy initiatives, and long-range planning projects to identify opportunities for improvement, efficiency, and alignment with Comprehensive Plan goals and strategic priorities.
Select, train, supervise, and evaluate management analysts and support staff, fostering a high-performing team focused on policy analysis, planning excellence, and responsive departmental support; provide coaching, professional development, and corrective action as needed.
Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the departmental budget, ensuring alignment with policy priorities, long-range planning initiatives, and support function needs, including forecasting resources for staffing, analytical work, planning programs, and operational support.