PORT TOWNSEND — Selection of a new planning director for the city is possible in the next two weeks, according to the city manager.
About 30 people have applied for the position left vacant when Rick Sepler left at the end of October to become Bellingham’s planning and community development director.
Seven applicants have been selected for interviews Jan. 15, City Manager David Timmons said.
Each applicant will be interviewed by three committees: a panel of stakeholders, of elected and appointed officials, and of city staff.
Each committee will recommend two finalists who will be interviewed by Timmons on Jan. 16.
An offer could be made after a salary discussion and a background check, Timmons said.
This is the fourth time the committee process has been used by the city, as it was used to select a finance director, city attorney and library director in the past year.
“This has worked out pretty well,” Timmons said of the process.
“Through these interviews, you can get an idea of the applicant’s character and work ethic.”
Timmons said one important aspect is willingness to stay for a while.
“We don’t want someone who is going to stay here two years and move on. We are looking for commitment to the future,” he said.
Timmons said applicants must be familiar with state law and will need familiarity with Growth Management Act requirements since the city must develop its comprehensive plan over the next three years.
The job’s duties have been scaled down from those Sepler did for 8½ years.
As development services director, Sepler supervised parks. The new planning director will not perform that duty; parks instead will fall under the city Public Works Department.
The salary range is between $91,800 and $112,000. It also carries a full benefits package.
The director will administer planning, land use, zoning, permitting, building permits and code enforcement, according to the posted job description.
The department has seven employees and a budget of about $810,000, the notice said.
Sepler was earning $95,076 per year in Port Townsend before he left for the Bellingham position, which pays $131,508 a year.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
