Community Development Director

Jefferson County, Oregon

Salary: $116,332 - $148,690 (NON-RESIDENT), $122,323 - $156,348 (COUNTY RESIDENT)

Jefferson County, (pop. 25,878), is located in central Oregon in a high desert climate east of Mount Jefferson and Mount Hood. The county's largest city is Madras, (pop. 8,099), which serves as the county seat and gateway to central Oregon's vast selection of outdoor recreational opportunities. The area's low-humidity climate offers over 300 days of sunshine and only receives 13 inches of precipitation each year. Madras is located within 70 miles of four ski resorts and 30 different golf courses. The city is just 30 miles from Redmond, which has a regional airport, and only 40 miles from Bend, which has major shopping, specialized medical care and other amenities.

Jefferson County is governed by three part-time County Commissioners who each serve four-year terms. The Commissioners have appointed a County Administrative Officer who coordinates the day-to-day activities of the organization. The county operates with 152 FTEs on a 2024 adopted budget of $79.7 million.

The Community Development Department operates with 12 FTEs on a $2.7 million budget. Under the direction of the Board of Commissioners and the County Administrative Officer, the Community Development Director is responsible for the overall operation of community development services for the county, including building code permits, on-site septic, plumbing, and electrical inspections, nuisance abatement and code enforcement. This position assures the efficient and economical use of departmental resources, including funding, personnel, and facilities, and implements and maintains sound practices to ensure communication with, participation of, and optimum service to the community. The Director develops and recommends county policies related to land-use community development and provides staff support and professional advice to the County Administrative Officer and to the Board of County Commissioners. The County is also responsible for performing building permitting and inspections for the City of Madras.

Candidates must have four years of increasingly responsible experience at a level equivalent to a Department Director or Supervisor/Lead. A bachelor's degree in planning, geography, engineering, law, public or business administration, or a related field may substitute for two years of experience. A master's degree or Juris Doctorate may substitute for up to four years of experience. Knowledge of Oregon building codes, Oregon land use statutes, administrative rules, and case law is preferred. County residency is not required, but if a person becomes a county resident, they are provided an increase in wages of one salary grade (approximately 5.1%). (The County currently has a residential property that may be utilized by the new Director at a below market rental rate while further housing options are explored.) Any satisfactory equivalent combination of experience and training which ensures the ability to perform the work may substitute for the above.

For a complete position profile, full job description and to apply online, visit Prothman at https://www.prothman.com/ and click on "Open Recruitments". For questions, call 206-368-0050. Jefferson County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Apply by November 4, 2024. (First review, open until filled.)