CITY OF WEST DES MOINES, IOWA
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This is truly an exciting opportunity to live and work in one of the most vibrant areas of America's heartland. The City of West Des Moines, Iowa, was named by Money Magazine (August, 2006) as one of "America's Best Small Cities". Due to West Des Moines' high volume of development activity and growth of the community, the City is seeking a Director of Development Services. This is a new position was created to develop and implement a unified vision, mission, goals and service levels to the development review process; to consolidate the responsibilities and leadership for the development review process; better align employee resources that contribute to the development review process; and to enhance customer service.The selected individual will work under the direction of the City Manager and will be a senior level Department Head supervising the overall operations of the Development Services Department which includes development planning/engineering, and building inspection. The ideal candidate should be an individual who is committed to providing the highest quality of service to the City and the development community. This individual should also have a proven track record of creatively coming up with options that fit within the parameters of city ordinances/codes and/or federal/state laws; and, have proven collaboration skills working with public and private entities. The successful candidate must possess a Bachelor's degree in Planning, Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration or a related field. In addition, the successful candidate should also possess a minimum of 10 years of experience in development services or a related field with a broad understanding of the development process and planning and zoning. Three to five years of management experience or any combination of education and experience which produces the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be acceptable. The new Director should be a high-energy individual with strong organizational abilities and should possess a passion for the mission of the Department and its delivery of services to its constituents. The successful candidate should also possess excellent problem solving, collaboration, leadership and management abilities and exceptional interpersonal, written and oral communication skills. The ideal candidate will be able to develop and direct Development Services programs, systems, operations, goals and objectives. Candidates must posses the ability to take initiative, work independently with very little direct supervision and manage the development and implementation of strategic planning methods consistent with the City's long-range plans. West Des Moines is an exceptional community with virtually every "quality of life" amenity a community can provide and the cost of living is below the national average. The City is well known for its outstanding neighborhoods. Schools are among America's best; municipal services and infrastructure are excellent and quality jobs are available in the City. Stores and restaurants are a regional attraction. Valley Junction, the City's original downtown, features fine locally owned shops and restaurants in a beautiful "Old Americana" environment. Valley Junction hosts antique, art, crafts, jazz and bike festivals, open houses and numerous other events throughout the year. West Des Moines maintains a comprehensive public park and recreation system that includes 20 parks on 1,222 acres, more than 300 acres of which are mowed and highly maintained for various recreational activities and a community center for all ages and uses. The City has 42 miles of walking or biking trails that snake through a Citywide greenbelt system connecting to other metro trails, 232 acres of lakes and 673 acres of natural areas. The City employs a full-time horticulturist to make sure its parks have an abundance of healthy plants and flowers. West Des Moines is west of and adjacent to the City of Des Moines. The population is approximately 54,500, with a projected population of 71,863 by 2020 and 83,493 by 2030. West Des Moines covers approximately 37.8 square miles, is located in Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties with anticipated annexation into Madison County. The City of West Des Moines operates under a Council-Manager form of City government. A Mayor and City Council, with an appointed City Manager, govern the City. The starting salary for Director of Development Services will be market competitive, range is $74,474 - $117,711 depending on the experience, qualifications and salary history of the selected individual. In addition, the City of West Des Moines provides an excellent fringe benefit package. For additional information on this outstanding opportunity, please contact James L. Mercer, President, The Mercer Group, Inc. at 505-466-9500; mercer@mindspring.com. Confidential resumes should be sent immediately to James L. Mercer, President, The Mercer Group, Inc., 551 West Cordova Road, #726, Santa Fe, NM 87505. Voice: 505-466-9500; Fax: 505-466-1274. E-Mail: mercer@mindspring.com; Website: www.mercergroupinc.com. West Des Moines is an Equal Opportunity Employer.