Development Services Director 2026-03174

City of Fayetteville, Arkansas•Fayetteville, AR

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Fayetteville is committed to attracting, engaging and rewarding a multi-generational workforce. By offering a total rewards package including competitive compensation and benefits plans and a purposeful work life, the City is an employer of choice focused on serving our community. This position serves as a key member of the organization's leadership team and must possess the ability to contribute to the development of new concepts and principles and participate in problem solving complex issues. The City of Fayetteville is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from a college or university and seven years of relevant experience with a minimum of seven years of management experience. Relevant experience includes planning, public administration, construction, real estate development, law, or engineering.
Demonstrated record of improving a permitting, review, or approval process, measured in time or customer satisfaction.
Experience working directly with applicants, from either the public or private side.
Must possess a valid driver’s license.
Skill in effective, clear and persuasive oral and written communications, often under complex conditions that require good judgment.
Must possess public presentation skills to provide presentations to staff, the public and City Council in a clear, effective manner.
Ability to interpret a variety of city, county, state, and federal laws, making decisions and taking action quickly.
Must be proficient in the use of a computer and other related software programs. Must be able to effectively operate standard office equipment.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform supervisory responsibilities which may include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the City's policies and applicable laws.
Administer and supervise the divisions of City Planning and Building Safety as a full-service permitting, development, and code compliance department. Administer and supervise the Planning and Building Safety divisions alongside related business license, code compliance, and other services. Primary program and division responsibilities include: development review, administration and interpretation of zoning/development ordinances; protection of the health, safety, and welfare of citizens as it relates to buildings in the city; and enforcement of adopted ordinances.
Responsible for defining and refining the development review process utilized by staff, the Planning Commission, and the City Council to review and approve zoning/development items. Own the applicant’s experience of development review from application through certificate of occupancy. Set and publish review timelines and report performance against them. Coordinate the staff review process and resolve conflicts between applicants and staff. Convene all reviewing departments to resolve issues that cross departmental and divisional areas of responsibility. Coordinate a comprehensive and on-going review and update of zoning and development regulations. Develop and implement policies and procedures that make development services effective, efficient, and predictable.
Build working relationships with developers, builders, design professionals, business owners, and neighborhood groups. Seek their feedback regularly and use it to improve processes and ordinances.
Help applicants find code-compliant paths to approval and recommend ordinance amendments when existing regulations impede outcomes supported by adopted City plans.
Consult with City Planning on the final interpretation, administration and enforcement of the planning and zoning ordinances of the City. Report to the City Council on all matters pertaining to zoning, development, sign regulations, and planning code enforcement. Ensure staffing of the Planning Commission and its subcommittees, Board of Adjustment, and the Historic District and Black Heritage Commissions.
Attend City Council meetings and provide recommendations to the Mayor and Council on policy/ordinance items during Council and Committee meetings, relative to Planning, and Building Safety divisions, and development-related issues.
Coordinate efforts between departments and divisions to evaluate development and land use applications and to enforce current ordinances through investigation and prosecution. Supervise staff to maintain efficient and consistent daily operations, especially through the development review process.
Develop new ordinances to meet goals and policies set forth by the Mayor and City Council and make recommendations regarding policy decisions based on research, analysis and sound planning principles.
Prepare and administer annual budget for department, review and approve operations and capital budget submissions for divisions within Development Services department.
Perform other related duties as assigned
Visit and visually or physically inspect construction project sites.
Secondary duties as assigned.