Authorization to Hire a Community Development Director

The purpose of this case is for the City Council to authorize hiring Ms. Stephanie Hanson for the position of  Community Development Director.

Background:  This position reports to the City Administrator, exercises significant collaboration with the Leadership Team, strategic partnerships and manages the Community Development Department.  This position has been vacant since Mr. Brian Hagen was promoted to the City Administrator position.  Therefore, staff conducted a nationwide recruitment resulting in eight candidates receiving an interview. The first interview panel consisted of the following individuals: Councilmember Woestehoff, Planning Commission Chair Bauer, Economic Development Authority Chair Olson, Environmental Policy Board Chair Hiatt, City Administrator Hagen, Administrative Services Director Lasher and division managers.

Four of those candidates were invited back for a second interview.  The second interview panel consisted of the entire City Council, Economic Development Authority Chair Olson, Planning Commission Chair Bauer, the City Administrator, several Department Heads, and one Division Manager. 

Following the second interview, the City Council selected Ms. Stephanie Hanson for further consideration. Ms. Hanson passed the City's pre-employment testing which included reference and background checks, employment verification, a driver's license check, degree verification, an extensive leadership assessment, and a drug screen.  Ms. Hanson will be subject to a one-year probationary period and the City's Personnel Policy.

The City would like to sincerely thank City Administrator Hagen and the Community Development Department Staff for all of the extra efforts made during this vacancy.  

Attachment  Job Description

 

Department Head Vacation Accrual Schedule:
 

Effective Date	Vacation Days/Year
Start date	15 days
6th Anniversary	18 days
7th Anniversary	20 days
12th Anniversary	21 days
16th Anniversary	22 days
17th Anniversary	23 days
18th Anniversary	24 days
19th Anniversary	25 days

The funding for this position is included in the 2022 budget.

To hire Ms. Stephanie Hanson as the City’s new Community Development Director, effective on or near December 12, 2022, at $55.433 per hour or $115,300 annually, which is step 2 of the 2022 pay scale with a credit of 5 vacation days and starting vacation accrual at the seventh-anniversary teer, which is equivalent to 20 days of vacation per year.

Motion to hire Ms. Stephanie Hanson as the City’s new Community Development Director, effective on or near December 12, 2022, at $55.433 per hour or $115,300 annually, which is step 2 of the 2022 pay scale with a credit of 5 vacation days and starting vacation accrual at the seventh-anniversary teer, which is equivalent to 20 days of vacation per year.