THE OPPORTUNITY

The City of Fort Worth, Texas offers a very rewarding opportunity to lead its newly reorganized Code Compliance Department. The reorganization has created a fertile environment for a new Code Compliance Director to implement change and innovation, with the goal of being a city leading in service delivery.

ABOUT FORT WORTH

A city of Cowboys and Culture, Fort Worth is known for its Texas hospitality. Stunning and sprawling, the City of Fort Worth is the 13th largest and one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. with a population of more than 900,000. With great neighborhoods, scenic terrain, and a rich history of arts and culture, paired with world-class opportunities for business and education, it’s not only fun to visit Fort Worth, but it’s also even more rewarding to call it home. Fort Worth truly offers all the benefits and amenities of a bustling metropolitan city while keeping the small-town charm that keeps it unpretentious and charismatic in all the right ways. Designated as one of America’s “Most Livable Communities” by the Partners for Livable Communities, the city truly offers a melting pot of culture, commerce, community, and, yes, cowboys.

CITY GOVERNMENT

The City of Fort Worth operates under a council-manager form of government. The City Council comprises the mayor, elected at-large, and ten City Council members who represent single-member districts, all serving two-year terms. The City Council adopts municipal ordinances and resolutions, makes proclamations, sets the tax rate, and approves the budget. Positions appointed by the Council include the City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, City Auditor, municipal court judges, and City board and commission members. The City of Fort Worth has 8,165 authorized positions to implement the policies set forth by the Mayor and City Council, as well as an annual operating budget of approximately $2.6 billion in Fiscal Year 2024.

THE CODE COMPLIANCE DEPARTMENT

The Code Compliance Department maintains the City of Fort Worth's status as a clean, livable city by ensuring properties comply with rules set by the City Council. Code Officers routinely patrol assigned neighborhoods for code violations and investigate complaints with a mission of abating issues and educating residents.

Functionally, the Department’s two primary service lines are Code Enforcement and Animal Care & Control. Its services are provided through a FY 2024 budget of $27 million and with 252 FTE employees. Reporting to the Director are two Assistant Directors, a Senior Administrative Services Manager, an Administrative Services Coordinator, a Communications Coordinator, and a Customer Solutions Analyst.

THE POSITION

The Code Compliance Director is a key member of the City’s executive team and is responsible for the overall leadership and performance of the Code Compliance Department. Primary responsibilities include directing the activities of the Code Compliance Department, which includes planning, coordinating, administering, and evaluating programs, projects, processes, procedures, systems, standards, and/or service offerings; directing and managing the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies and priorities for each assigned service and/or operational area; developing programs to promote Code Compliance and educate the public regarding the issues and goals of the department; and leading the development and administration of the department budget; approving the forecast of funds and expenditures needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; and implementing budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.

The most successful candidates will have a leadership style that values employees, recognizes their expertise, and empowers them to make decisions; a well-developed ability to lead and execute change in a managed way that generates employee buy-in and results; a solid understanding of the regulatory and legal frameworks used by code compliance and animal control; a contemporary understanding of excellence in these services lines, including best practices and leading innovations; and be an experienced manager of people and processes, especially in a complex municipal environment.

Candidates need not have direct experience in both animal services and code compliance. A background in either area would likely provide a qualified foundation of experience.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following are the minimum requirements for the position:

• Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field from an accredited college or university.

• Experience: Eight years of management experience relating to code compliance, housing, development, law, animal care and control, health, planning, zoning or related field, including four years of administrative and supervisory experience.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The City of Fort Worth is offering a salary range of $160,000 to $190,000 for this position, commensurate with experience and qualifications. In addition, the City provides a benefits plan that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance, a pension plan (Fort Worth Employees’ Retirement Fund), and a 457 deferred compensation plan. Partnering with Southwestern Health Resources, the City provides access to three employee health centers exclusive to Fort Worth employees, retirees, and their enrolled dependents.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

To be considered for this position, interested candidates must submit a cover letter and résumé below no later than Monday, February 12, 2024.

Confidential inquiries are welcomed to:

Greg Nelson |greg@mosaicpublic.com |(916) 550-4100

Bryan Noblett |bryan@mosaicpublic.com |(916) 550-4100

This recruitment incorporates existing rules and regulations that govern public sector recruitments in the State of Texas. In accordance with public disclosure/open record laws, information submitted for consideration may be made available to the public upon request by interested parties.