A familiar face is once again leaving Sequim city hall.

Sequim Assistant City Manager Joe Irvin recently accepted the same position in Healdsburg, Calif. with his last day with Sequim on July 24.

This was his second stint with the city after first being hired in May 2005 as assistant city planner and eventually serving as Interim Planning Director for about seven months before moving to Florida so his wife could pursue a graduate degree.

Irvin was rehired in March 2014 and quickly became Assistant to the City Manager and promoted to Assistant City Manager in January 2017.

“I have loved my 10 years working for the City of Sequim,” Irvin said in a press release.

“I am thankful that I had the opportunity to return four years ago, and I appreciate the organizations support of my professional growth. I am excited for this new opportunity, but I will miss working with my co-workers and the Sequim community.”

Irvin said in an interview that he was offered the new position on June 15 in Healdsburg and his contract was finalized the week of July 9.

“It’s a great opportunity to continue to grow my professional experiences,” Irvin said. “I feel like I’m leaving a great organization and going to another great organization. Professionally, it’s an exciting opportunity.”

Plus, Irvin said he and his wife return to California where they first met.

In Healdsburg, Irvin said he’ll work with city staff there on the city’s strategic plan and learn new offices such as Healdsburg’s Fire Department and Community Services/ Parks & Recreation.

In Sequim, Irvin oversaw the city’s Human Resources, Community Development, Economic Development, and Parks departments.

“When I look at the list of projects Joe has worked on, it’s a really impressive list,” said City Manager Charlie Bush in a press release.

“Joe has brought a positive energy to the organization. He has great people skills and knows how to engage people in a vision and lead them. He cares deeply about people and is a person of high integrity and Joe cares deeply about the profession of public service. I am excited for this new opportunity for Joe and his family and look forward to following his success in his new role.”

Sequim retrospect

Coming back to Sequim seems “highly unlikely,” Irvin said.

“I’m excited to go to Healdsburg and put some roots down there,” he said.

Through his time in Sequim, Irvin said he’s proud of a lot of projects and relationships, particularly with the Sequim Picklers and the partnership with the group and the city to bring new courts to Carrie Blake Community Park to fruition.

He’s also proud of his time partnering with the Community Organic Gardens of Sequim and bringing the city into the partnership with the development of the June Robinson Memorial Park

“Somehow I keep coming back to parks. It’s one of those community aspects that people really love and I love,” he said.

Along with city accomplishments, he served as Market Manager for the Sequim Open Aire Market, now Sequim Farmers Market, president of the Sequim Noon Rotary, and was a board member of the Sequim Food Bank.

As for Sequim’s Assistant City Manager vacancy, Bush said via email city staff will be considering options with the vacancy over the next few weeks. Bush returns to Sequim at the end of the month after completing the Harvard Senior Executive program.

Irvin feels good about where Sequim is going.

“(It’s) doing a great job at becoming a leader in the region and it’ll continue efforts to build regional partners,” he said.

City staff will continue to foster neighborhood development and partnerships, he said, and give more attention to code enforcement.

Contact the City of Sequim, 152 W. Cedar St., at 360-683-4139 or visit www.sequimwa.gov.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.

Joe Irvin plans to leave the City of Sequim to take the Assistant City Manager position in Healdsburg, Calif., effective July 24. Photo courtesy of the City of Sequim

Sequim Assistant City Manager Joe Irvin holds maps of different regions in the City of Sequim in 2017 prior to a Neighborhood Visioning Meeting. Irvin plans to leave the city to work in Healdsburg, Calif. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Joe Irvin, Sequim assistant city manager, smiles as Mayor Dennis Smith reads a resolution on July 23 recognizing Irvin for his service with the city. Irvin’s last day was July 24 before taking a job in California. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash