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City of Lakewood, CA

Director of Community Development

City of Lakewood, CA, Lakewood, California, United States, 90715


Salary :

$193,332.00 - $234,996.00 Annually

Location :

Lakewood, CA

Job Type:

Full-Time

Job Number:

2025-10

Department:

Community Development

Opening Date:

09/16/2024

Closing Date:

10/10/2024 3:00 PM Pacific

Description

The Director of Community Development is an executive management position and reports directly to the City Manager. The director is an integral part of the city's management team and is responsible for the daily operation of the department. Under administrative direction of the City Manager, The Director of Community Development plans, organizes, directs, administers and evaluates the programs, projects and operations of the Community Development Department in planning for the orderly development of the community; administers and manages economic development strategies, activities and programs; administers the issuance of building permits, building inspections, and record keeping activities provided by county contract services; and performs related work as required.

Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are limited to, the following:

Plans, organizes, directs, and manages all activities of the Community Development Department including development/environmental review, planning, building and safety, zoning, economic development, community preservation/code enforcement, housing/community development and geographic information systems.Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the work of professional planners engaged in the development and administration of plans for the orderly and attractive development of the community, and the administration of subdivision and land use and regulations.Develops, implements and maintains department goals, objectives, priorities, procedures and work plans.Oversees the selection, training and evaluation of department personnel, which includes reviewing the work of department personnel to ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations.Provides leadership and direction in the development of short and long-range plans and projects.Administers and oversees the management of a variety of planning, economic development, building, housing and transportation agreements.Oversees a variety of programs related to neighborhood and housing preservation, code compliance, property management, fair housing, and neighborhood revitalization.Oversees the use of federal Community Development Block Grant funds and compliance with federal regulations.Oversees and directs the production of maps, reports and special projects assigned to the geographic information systems division.Directs and participates in the preparation, revision and implementation of the general plan and other comprehensive plans.Directs and oversees the preparation of reports and recommendations on modifications to various ordinances and resolutions related to the city's operational policies and procedures.Administers and oversees the review of planning submittals, issuance of building permits, building inspections and record keeping activities related to county contract services.Meets with property owners, developers, engineers, architects, and contractors related to potential development and entitlement procedures.Directs and participates in the preparation of recommendations on revisions to zoning, subdivision and sign ordinances and miscellaneous sections of the city code.Oversees the Planning and Environment Commission and presents planning commission recommendations to the city manager and, as directed, to the city council.Prepares, administers and reviews annual departmental budget.Works with other city departments to review and provide direction on the planning, permitting and building inspection related to capital improvement projects and other city developments and projects.Attends meetings and participates with county, regional, state, and federal government agencies.Addresses civic, professional, and public groups and organizations on community development matters.Serves as staff advisor to the city manager, planning and environmental commission, and city council.Directs staff and participates in the preparation of reports and recommendations regarding proposed policies on land use, city public and private improvements, zoning, zone changes and annexations.Supervises the maintenance and proper destruction of departmental records.Coordinates activities with other city departments and relevant outside agencies.Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major work in urban or regional planning, public administration, or a closely related field. A Master's degree is desirable. Five years of progressively responsible experience in the implementation and development of major commercial and housing developments; five years of professional city, county or regional planning, building inspection, and/or economic development experience; and three years in a managerial and supervisory capacity.

License:

Possession of a valid Class "C" Operator's license issued by the California State Department of Motor Vehicles and a good driving record.

Knowledge of:

Theory, principles and practices of municipal planning, zoning, building and safety, housing and community code enforcement; principles, practices, and techniques of economic development in a public agency setting; State and County regulations relating to subdivisions, annexations, zoning, housing and land use; physical design, demographic, environmental, economic, and social concepts as applied to municipal planning, community and economic development and housing; techniques used in planning and housing research and in the development and implementation of a general plan; regulations governing the use of Community Development Block Grant funds, and the use of Housing Set Aside funds; implementation of housing rehabilitation programs; budgetary best practices in the development and administration of the departmental budget; principles, practices, codes and laws related to building inspections of residential, commercial and industrial buildings; principles of organization, administration, supervision, and training of department staff and personnel; grant writing and administration; contract negotiation and administration; methods and techniques for record keeping and report preparation and writing; and effective customer service techniques.

Skills and Abilities to:

Plan, organize and direct an effective municipal community development program; analyze and interpret data pertaining to planning, zoning, building, housing, code enforcement, and economic development; supervise and coordinate the technical research required in the economic review process; prepare ordinances and formulate land use policies; direct and evaluate the city's building plan check, inspection and permit program and activities; direct and evaluate the city's neighborhood preservation program; prepare clear and comprehensive reports; present and defend programs and proposals before councils, commissions, and public groups; direct, organize, supervise, evaluate and train subordinate staff and take effective personnel action; communicate effectively, both orally or in writing; deal with stressful situations and solve complex problems; establish and maintain cooperative and effective work relationships with public and private officials and with members of the general public contacted in the course of work; Effectively speak and communicate in large and small public settings; create and make effective presentations; carry out effective interpersonal communication.

Physical and Mental Demands:

Ability to see and hear within normal ranges and dexterity to read, write, type, operate, and use office equipment such as a computer, telephone, pencils, pens; ability to drive a vehicle, communicate orally and in writing.

Supplemental Information

The benefits package associated with regular full-time positions includes:

Retirement Formula

- The City participates in the CalPERS retirement system 2% at 55 for "classic" CalPERS members and 2% at 62 for "new" CalPERS members 2. The City does not participate in Social Security.Generous Leave Programs

- 13 paid holidays; sick leave; and two weeks annual vacation (three weeks after three years, four weeks after 15 years)Health Insurance

- Cafeteria benefit plan includes medical and dental options (City participates in the CalPERS medical insurance plans). Employee cafeteria allowance for single employee only coverage is $1,359.02 per month; for employee +1 eligible dependent coverage is $1,490.00; and for employee + 2 or more eligible dependents coverage is $1,650.00. City paid life insurance, long-term disability and vision insurance for the employee.Other Benefits : Longevity pay beginning at the completion of 10 years of qualified service; career medical retiree benefit program.1.

Benefits package information is based on current benefit information and subject to change, based on labor agreements; federal, state and/or local laws or resolutions.

2.

For qualified public employees who are "classic" CalPERS members and City employees with membership into CalPERS prior to 1/1/2013 enrollment will be into the 2% at 55 formula. Pension benefits for employees hired on or after 1/1/2013 and are "new" CalPERS members are subject to the Public Employees Pension Reform Act provisions and will be enrolled into the 2% at 62 formula.

Selection Procedure:

All properly submitted applications will be reviewed and evaluated. Those candidates appearing to have the best qualifications for the position will be invited to participate in the examination and selection process which may require

any

combination of the following: a written examination, a performance examination and one or more oral interviews.

Not all applicants may be tested or interviewed.

Important InformationThe provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Applications must be filled out completely and clearly show that the qualifications are met. All statements made on the application are subject to investigation and verification. False statements will be cause for disqualification, removal from the Eligible List, or discharge from employment. Resumes may be attached, but will not be accepted in lieu of a standard City application form. All application materials become the property of the City of Lakewood and are not returnable.

COMPENSATION:

City employees are paid on a bi-weekly basis, therefore, published monthly salary is for illustration purposes only, rounded to whole dollars. Actual salary is based on hourly rate rounded to four decimal places.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:

The City of Lakewood does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability status, gender expression, gender identity, transgender, or other protected class in its employment actions, decisions, policies and practices.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES:

Qualified individuals with disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, are encouraged to apply for City employment. Those who require a reasonable accommodation to take a test as part of the selection process must make such a request to the Personnel Department, in writing, at least three working days prior to the date of the testing procedure. Individuals requesting accommodation in the testing process will be required to provide documentation of such need.

IMMIGRATION REFORM & CONTROL ACT OF 1986:

In compliance with the Act, all new employees must verify their identity and entitlement to work in the United States by providing required documentation.

FINGERPRINTING:

Applicants who are selected for hire are fingerprinted during the pre-placement processing period. All fingerprints will be processed with the Department of Justice to verify criminal records or absence thereof.

RESTRICTIONS ON NEPOTISM:

The employment of relatives can create undesirable results, particularly in connection with performance evaluation, discipline, and general morale of other workers. Therefore, it is the city's policy that no relative of any City officer or employee to which this resolution applies shall be employed, if said City officer or employee is in a supervisory, lead or subordinate position over said relative in the areas of hiring, setting compensation, discipline or termination. "Relatives" for this purpose include son, daughter, mother, father, brother, brother-in-law, sister, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, mother-in-law, father-in-law, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, stepparent, stepchild, grandparent, grandchild, or persons living in the same household. The City does not prohibit employment of two people who are married to each other or who are the registered domestic partners of each other pursuant to the California Family Code (section 297 et seq.). Nonetheless, the City will not employ spouses or registered domestic partners in the same division or facility in situations where such action is determined to be inappropriate because of reasons of supervision, safety, security or morale.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION : Employment offers are conditional, based upon the successful completion of a medical examination which includes drug and alcohol screening for safety-sensitive positions. Physicals are performed by the City's designated physician at the City's expense. Candidates are cautioned not to quit their jobs or give notice to their current employer until they are determined to be medically qualified.

TUBERCULOSIS TESTING:

Candidates selected to work in a position requiring contact with children must submit a certificate or notice documenting that within the last two years they have been examined and found to be free of communicable tuberculosis. The certificate or notice must be signed by a licensed examining physician or public health agency.

POSSESSION OF A VALID CALIFORNIA DRIVER'S LICENSE:

Employees in classifications requiring possession of a valid California driver's license will be enrolled in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Government Employer Pull Notice program, which confirms possession of a valid driver's license and reflects the driving record.

LOYALTY OATH OR AFFIRMATION:

All City employees are required to sign a loyalty oath or affirmation prior to actual employment.

EMERGENCY SERVICE:

All City employees are required to perform assigned Emergency Service duties in the event of an emergency or disaster.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:

Employees appointed to positions in the classified service are required to serve a probationary period of not less than six months. All other employees are considered at-will and serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

The benefits package associated with regular full-time positions includes:

Retirement Formula

- The City participates in the CalPERS retirement system 2% at 55 for "classic" CalPERS members and 2% at 62 for "new" CalPERS members 2. The City does not participate in Social SecurityGenerous Leave Programs

- 11 paid holidays; sick leave; and two weeks annual vacation (three weeks after three years, four weeks after 15 years)Health Insurance

- Cafeteria benefit plan includes medical and dental options (City participates in the CalPERS medical insurance plans). Employee cafeteria allowance for single employee only coverage is $1,359.02 per month; for employee +1 eligible dependent coverage is $1,490.00; and for employee + 2 or more eligible dependents coverage is $1,650.00. City paid life insurance, long-term disability and vision insurance for the employeeOther Benefits : Longevity pay beginning at the completion of 10 years of qualified service; career medical retiree benefit programs

1

Benefits package information is based on current benefit information and subject to change, based on labor agreements; federal, state and/or local laws or resolutions.

2

For qualified public employees who are "classic" CalPERS members and City employees with membership into CalPERS prior to 1/1/2013 enrollment will be into the 2% at 55 formula. Pension benefits for employees hired on or after 1/1/2013 and are "new" CalPERS members are subject to the Public Employees Pension Reform Act provisions and will be enrolled into the 2% at 62 formula.

01

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed:

Some high school, did not graduateHigh School Graduate or G.E.D.Less than 2 years of college2+ years of collegeAssociate's DegreeBachelor's DegreeMaster's Degree

02

Indicate the major of your degree:

Not applicableUrban or Regional PlanningPublic AdministrationBusiness AdministrationOther related fieldOther non-related field

03

Indicate all the areas in which you have community development experience:

Economic DevelopmentPlanningHousingCode EnforcementBuilding & Safety

04

Indicate the number of years of progressively responsible experience you possess in the implementation and development of major commercial and housing developments.

NoneLess than 2 years2 - 3 years3 - 4 years4 - 5 years5+ years

05

Indicate the number of years of professional experience you posses in economic development.

NoneLess than 2 years2 - 3 years3 - 4 years4 - 5 years5+ years

06

Indicate the number of years of professional experience you possess in city, county or regional planning.

NoneLess than 2 years2 - 3 years3 - 4 years4 - 5 years5+ years

07

Indicate the number of years of professional experience you possess in building inspection/building & safety.

Noneless than 2 years2 - 3 years3 - 4 years4 - 5 years5+ years

08

Indicate the number of years of professional experience you posses in code enforcement.

NoneLess than 2 years2 - 3 years3 - 4 years4 - 5 years5+ years

09

Indicate the total number of years of professional experience you possess in housing.

NoneLess than 2 years2 - 3 years3 - 4 years4 - 5 years5+ years

10

Indicate the number of years of managerial/supervisory experience you possess:

NoneLess than 6 months6 - 12 months1 -2 years2 - 3 years3+ years

11

Provide us with a brief summary on your professional experience in the implementation and development of major commercial developments and/or housing developments.

12

Before submitting your application please make sure you have attached the following: 1. Resume and cover letter and 2. Five professional references. By selecting yes, you are confirming that you have attached the required items and that your application is complete. Incomplete applications will not receive full consideration.

YesNo

Required Question