Public Safety Director THECOMM UNITYSpokane Valley is the ninth largest city in Washington State with a current population of over 110,000 located on the eastern border of the state in the heart of the Inland Northwest. We pride ourselves on quality neighborhoods and schools along with strong business and retail centers. Friendly people, natural surroundings, and beautiful weather are part of what makes our community a favorite destination.Residents find new neighbors to be friendly, talented, and happy to help at every step. Spokane Valley continues to be the place for shopping as much as it is the place to enjoy a family event in one of our many parks. It is the home of residents who bought their first house as well as those who have discovered the amenities and unspoiled views that define the City today.The City of Spokane Valley incorporated in 2003 and encompasses approximately 38.5 square miles of land area, with room for residential, commercial and industrial expansion. Spokane Valley has become a diverse and multifaceted modern City striving to balance both reverence for the natural landscape and view growth through the lens of sustainability. Spokane Valley's history is filled with people who shared a vision of the community unlike others and the City continues to welcome new residents and visitors alike. It also supports the businesses that serve and entertain people from across the region to enjoy sports, boating, camping, and year- round events. The City provides opportunities for a better life, along with the promise of something more.THEORGANIZATIONThe City operates under a Council -Manager form of government. The seven -member City Council is elected at large, and members serve staggered four -year terms. The City Council elects a Mayor from the Council to serve two-year terms. The City employs approximately 116.25 FTEs across nine departments. The Public Safety Director reports to the Deputy City Manager.THEPOSITIONThe Public Safety Director (Director) is responsible for managing the provision and performance of public safety services by providing oversight of public safety -related contracts between the City and other organizations. The Director leads two staff administering current public safety contracts.The Public Safety Director is a newly created position, and the selected candidate will have the opportunity to bring new ideas to managing contracted public safety services within Spokane Valley to create a safer City, more effective and efficient services, and to be the voice of Spokane Valley managing those services. The Director manages the budgets related to the City's expenditures for contracted public safety services. Actively works to minimize costs and provides recommendations to the Deputy City Manger related to programs and the development of alternatives to meet future needs. Acts as the chief negotiator during contract renewals to further the City's interests and goals. Meets daily with the contracted Police Chief and periodically with other contractors to resolve problems that may develop. The Public Safety Director attends board and advisory board meetings of regional contracted providers. Functions as the point of contact or liaison between organizations providing public safety services. THEIDEALCANDIDATEThe ideal candidate will draw upon extensive criminal justice experience to provide creative solutions to complex problems. The Director will offer demonstrated leadership capabilities and a proven track record of successful interaction with employees, managers, and the public. The position requires an individual with excellent oral and written communication skills who is accessible, adaptable, and an active listener. The City is seeking candidates that are resourceful and solution oriented, while keeping a customer service mindset. They will have the ability to manage multiple projects, develop improvements in policies andprocedures and recommend goals, objectives, and practices.Examples of desired candidates include current or former police chiefs, judges, and prosecutors. The Public Safety Director requires graduation from an accredited four -year university with a degree in criminal justice or closely related field. Additionally, the preferred candidate will have a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible law enforcement/criminal justice experience with at lease five years of which at the senior management or assistant police chief level. The City may consider candidates with a combination of related education and experience. The most competitive candidates will also have extensive knowledge of modern criminal justice systems including law enforcement, pre -trial services, criminal prosecution and defense, detention, court proceedings and probation. A valid Washington State driver's license are required.QUALIFICATIONSA key value of the City is customer service. This position requires considerable knowledge, ability, and skill in the princip les and practices of excellent customer service as practiced in both the private and public sectors. It requires the ability to effectively me et and deal with the public; the ability to handle stressful situations; the ability to greet and respond to customers in a friendly, pleasant , and professional manner using appropriate inflection, grammar, and syntax; the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationshi ps with employees, supervisors, and the general public; the ability to maintain a professional, courteous, and pleasant demeanor in difficult and stressful situations; and the ability to diplomatically deal with difficult people. A willingness to expend extra effort to hel p the public find answers or information relative to their inquiry or complaint is expected. CONTRACTED SERVICESThe City of Spokane Valley contracts with Spokane County toprovide public safety services. In 2026, the City budgeted $44.7M for public safety, 65% of the City's recurring expenditures. Policeservices are the primary public safetyexpenditure and are provided by the Spokane County Sheriff's Office. In 2026,there are 108 dedicated police officers andthree administrative positions for the City. The CityAnd County also have 42 shared police officers.Spokane County also provides the following public safety services: detention services, district court, emergency management, pretrial services, prosecutor and public defender services, regional emergency communications and animal control. The Director will administer all public safety contracts. Opportunities in the near future will exist to negotiate police and other public safety contracts, review alternative options for law enforcement services, discuss new regional jail funding, and analyze alternatives to historical prosecution services. The Director will play a critical role in these opportunities to be an advocate for the City. COMPENSATIONThe annual salary for Public Safety Director is dependent on the qualifications of the candidate selected. The full salary range is $10,772 to $16,309 per month.The City also offers a generous benefits package including:Health Benefits (medical/dental) -The City offers both PPO and HMO medical insurance plans through the Association of Washington Cities. The City covers the majority of medical premiums with an employee cost share. Dental, Vision, Long -Term Disability, Life, and HRA plans are also provided. Retirement Benefits -The City covers employees through the State of Washington Department of Retirement Services PERS with two plan options .FICA Replacement - The City does not participate in Social Security, rather it offers a 401A FICA replacement plan where the City and employee contribute the same amount as Social Security (6.2%).Leave Accrua l- The City offers generous Vacation and Sick Leave plans and a compressed work schedule option.Holidays - The City provides 11 paid Holidays per year.TOAPPLYIfyouareinterestedinthisoutstandingopportunity,pleasesubmit a complete City application, résumé, cover letter, a list of five work -related references (name and phone number) and answers to the "supplemental questions" through the City's online application system .APPLICATION DEADLINE : First review of candidates will be on July 20, 2026. Posted July 6, 2026. Open until filled.Application materials will bescreened according to thequalificationsoutlinedabove. Themostqualifiedcandidateswillbeinvitedtopersonalinterviews. Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasedonot hesitatetocontactJohn Whitehead, Human Resources Director at: 509-720-5111.