This is a critical period in Bellingham's history for planning, and city officials consider this position to be among the most important that we have filled in decades. Our emphasis in the search is quality -- hiring the most highly qualified director we can attract and afford. The city's planning priorities are to protect quality of life – protect our environmental resources, promote healthy, distinctive neighborhoods, and involve citizens in decisions that affect them. The professional hired for this job will facilitate the development of a community vision for Bellingham, to make sure that we preserve and enhance the things we love about Bellingham.
The Director of Planning and Community Development reports to the Mayor of the City of Bellingham. The hiring process for this position is managed by the city's Human Resources Department, with the assistance of a professional search firm.
City officials and the search consultant interviewed dozens of people and met with key groups in November and December 2005 to shape the position description and the hiring process. Advertisements and recruiting materials began to be distributed in December, and the position is now open for applications through January 23, 2006.
Before the process is complete, hundreds of key stakeholders will have had some kind of input in the process, including City Council members, city Department Heads, Planning and Community Development Department staff, Planning Commissioners, neighborhood representatives, contractors and developers, and the professional planning community.
