Director of Community and Economic Development

Class Concept

Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, supervises and directs the activities and operations of the Community and Economic Development Departments including  planning, building and code compliance activities; plans, negotiates, and administers complex development projects in the City; formulates departmental policies, goals, and directives; coordinates assigned activities with other City departments, officials, outside agencies, and the public; fosters cooperative working relationships among City departments and with intergovernmental, regulatory agencies, and various public and private groups; provides highly responsible and complex professional assistance in areas of expertise; performs related work as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This single-position class oversees, directs, and participates in all activities of the Community and Economic Development Departments, including planning, building, code compliance, and related programs.  This class provides assistance in a variety of administrative, coordinative, analytical, and liaison capacities. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy, City functions and activities, including the role of the City Council, and the ability to develop, oversee, and implement projects and programs in a variety of areas. Responsibilities include coordinating the activities of the department with other departments and outside agencies and managing and overseeing the complex and varied functions of the department. The incumbent is accountable for accomplishing departmental planning and operational goals and objectives, and for furthering City goals and objectives within general policy guidelines. The incumbent exercises considerable independent judgment and provides technical advice in designated areas of responsibility.

Example of Duties

• Assumes full management responsibility for all Community and Economic Development Department programs, services, and activities including planning, building and code compliance.
• Develops, directs, and coordinates the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the Department; establishes, within City policy, appropriate budget, service, and staffing levels.
• Manages and participates in the development and administration of the department’s budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements budgetary adjustments, as necessary.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and directs department personnel; plans, organizes, evaluates, and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns; conducts or directs staff training and development.
• Contributes to the overall quality of the department’s service by developing, reviewing, and implementing policies and procedures to meet legal requirements and City needs; continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs the implementation of change.
• Monitors legal, regulatory, technology, and societal changes and court decisions that may affect the work of the department; determines equipment acquisition, training programs, and procedural changes to ensure retention of qualified staff and the provision of services to the community in an effective, efficient, and economical manner. 
• Oversees the development of consultant requests for proposals for professional services and the advertising and bid processes; evaluates proposals and recommends project award; coordinates with legal counsel to determine City needs and requirements for contractual services; negotiates contracts and agreements and administers same after award.
• Directs land acquisition, relocation, and demolition activities associated with project development.
• Confers with developers, representatives of residential, commercial, and industrial interests, property owners, and others in promoting and coordinating the development and use of property within the City; confers with other City staff on related activities.
• Develops and implements policies and regulations related to planning, building and code compliance, economic development, and development services; ensures policies are administered equitably and comply with related laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations, and are responsive to community needs; works with the City Manager to develop strategies for meeting City Council and community goals.
• Advises City Manager, City Council, Planning Commission, other citizen and City committees, staff, and the public regarding economic development, building standards, and planning policies.
• Promotes development and implementation of economic development policies and programs.
• Provides oversight for the preparation of various regional, state, and federal funding sources; reviews, monitors, and reports requirements for said funding. 
• Facilitates the use of technology solutions to improve customer service and increase staff efficiency.
• Represents the department and the City, or delegates such authority, to other City departments, elected officials, and outside agencies including the community, advisory committees, local, county, state, and federal agencies, and professional organizations; explains and interprets departmental programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.
• Conducts a variety of departmental organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate. 
• Participates as a member of the City's executive management team in establishing strategic and development goals and resolving operational issues; participates in and makes presentations to the City Council and a wide variety of committees, boards, and commissions. 
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of community development. 
• Directs the maintenance of working and official departmental files.
• Prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the City Manager.
• Responds to public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations.
• Serves as a spokesperson for the Department at a variety of community events, meetings, and other public relations activities.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge and Application of:

• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Principles and practices of strategic plan development.
• Principles and practices of budget administration.
• Principles and practices of contract management.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Principles, practices, and procedures of public administration in a municipal setting.
• Functions, authority, responsibilities, and limitations of an elected City Council.
• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a municipal community development program.
• Principles and practices of urban planning, community development, and real estate development.
• Methods, materials, techniques, and practices employed in facilities design and construction. 
• Planning, building inspection, and code enforcement standards and practices.
• Grant requirements and program reporting practices.
• Federal and state environmental provisions related to development projects.
• Methods and techniques of developing technical and administrative reports, and business correspondence.
• Research methods and techniques.
• Federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards. 
• Provide administrative and professional leadership for the Department.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional, and technical personnel; delegate authority and responsibility. 
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner. 
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Effectively administer special projects with contractual agreements and ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
• Analyze economic studies, financial statements, marketing studies, plans, specifications, and bid documents.
• Represent the agency in all types of contract negotiations, including with consultants and developers.
• Plan, design, and participate in the preparation of a variety of federal grant applications on behalf of the City.
• Effectively represent the City and the department in meetings with governmental agencies, contractors, vendors, and various businesses, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Direct the establishment of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

Training and Experience

Any combination of training and experience that provides the above listed knowledge, skills and abilities may be qualifying. A typical way of qualifying would be:

Education: Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree with major work in city or regional planning, urban planning, public administration, economics, sociology, or a closely related field; and three (3) years of supervisory or project leadership experience in both advanced and current planning in a public agency setting.  

Experience: Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in municipal management of/or administration of planning, building, architecture, engineering, code enforcement, and/or redevelopment, programs and operations; including at least three (3) years of administration and supervisory responsibility.

Certification/License and/or Other Special Requirements:

Possession of a valid California Driver’s License; to be maintained throughout employment. 

Physical and Environmental Conditions:

Daily work will be in a busy office environment with frequent phone answering and movement to open counter. Frequent bending and reaching is required to retrieve planning files.  Work will involve prolonged sitting while using a computer.   Daily work requires vision sufficient to read reports and other work documents, and hearing sufficient to answer phones and respond to in-person questions.

CLASS ALLOCATION

This class is allocated to the Community and Economic Development Departments. The position reports to the City Manager or designee and exercises direct supervision over professional, technical and support staff.