General Superintendent - Community Development
THE COMMUNITY
Ideally located on the Pacific Ocean south of Los Angeles, adjacent to Orange County, the City of Long Beach, California (population 470,000) is frequently described as a series of strong, diverse interwoven smaller communities within a large city. Enjoying an ideal Southern California climate, Long Beach is home to an abundance of cultural and recreational options. The Long Beach Convention Center, Aquarium of the Pacific, Queen Mary, and the annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, plus a wide variety of other attractions (two historic ranchos, three marinas, and I've golf courses), serve to draw 6.5 million visitors a year. The City is also home to California State University, Long Beach, and Long Beach City College. Cal State Long Beach is the second largest university in the state and was recently ranked the No. 3 best–value public college in the nation. Covering approximately 50 square miles, Long Beach is supported by a wide mix of industries with education, health and social services, manufacturing, retail trade, and professional services comprising the highest representation. Known for its livable and desirable neighborhoods, Long Beach was named by America’s Promise Alliance as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People two years in a row. While it offers all the amenities of a large metropolis, many say Long Beach offers the added benefit of having maintained a strong sense of community and cohesiveness despite its growth. A superb climate, quality schools, a vibrant downtown, and a wide variety of neighborhoods help make Long Beach one of the most livable communities in the country.
CITY GOVERNMENT
Long Beach, a charter city formed in 1897, is governed by nine City Council Members elected by district and a city-wide elected Mayor. Other elected officials include the City Attorney, City Auditor, and City Prosecutor. The elected officials are elected to staggered four-year terms. The City Council appoints the City Manager and City Clerk. The City Manager is responsible for the efficient administration of all City departments, excluding those under the direction of a separately elected official, Board or Commission. Long Beach is one of only three cities in California with its own Health Department and one of the very few municipalities with its own Water and Energy Resources Departments. In 2019, the City of Long Beach and Plenary Properties Long Beach unveiled the completion of the new four-building Long Beach Civic Center, which includes a new City Hall and Port Administration Building. The tree-lined pedestrian plaza is reflective of an innovative public-private partnership and the Civic Center is designed to revitalize the civic core of downtown to serve residents, attract visitors, and provide safe and efficient city operations. The City is supported by a FY 2024 total budget of approximately $3.3 billion with a General Fund budget of $719 million. More than 6,000 full and part-time employees support municipal operations with the vast majority being represented by twelve employee associations. To learn more about the City of Long Beach, go to: www.longbeach.gov.
THE DEPARTMENT
The Department of Community Development delivers a wide variety of programs and services to help create and maintain more safe, sustainable, and livable neighborhoods. The department is comprised of five bureaus: Building and Safety, Code Enforcement, Housing and Neighborhood Services, Planning, and Administrative and Financial Services. Our staff of more than 200 works tirelessly to serve the community through an array of policies and programs, including land use and development, affordable housing, environment and historic preservation, neighborhood improvement, and construction standards and safety. We are dedicated to making a positive difference in our role to help transform Long Beach into a model urban community that honors its past and embraces the future.
THE POSITION
Under general direction of the Superintendent of Building and Safety (Building Official), the General Superintendent – Community Development will serve as the manager responsible for overseeing the engineering and plan review functions and services within the Department of Community Development, Building and Safety Bureau. This position is responsible for managing and supervising professional staff in the review and subsequently approval of proposed new construction, addition, and alteration of buildings and structures, as well as the installation, alteration, repair and replacement of electrical, plumbing, mechanical and fire protection systems, to ensure they comply with City ordinances, State laws, and Federal regulations aimed at protecting life, health, property, and public welfare.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
The General Superintendent – Community Development will:
Assist the Superintendent of Building and Safety in managing the programs and activities of the Building and Safety Bureau and act on the Superintendent’s behalf in the Superintendent's absence.
Oversee the Engineering and Plan Review Services Division within the Building and Safety Bureau.
Supervise the day-to-day plan review services that includes building, fire, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical disciplines.
Manage, organize, and direct professional staff involved in the review and approval of grading, building, fire, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical construction documents and plans for compliance with City ordinances, State laws, and Federal regulations for construction projects.
Administer contracts with consultants.
Provide guidance, training, and performance evaluations for team members.
Develop and implement policies and procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the plan review process.
Address and resolve compliance issues and incorporate feedback for continuous improvement.
Ensure that the construction of buildings and structures meets the intent of City ordinances, State laws, and Federal regulations.
Develop and implement long-term strategies that support the City’s growth, sustainability, and resilience objectives.
Represent the Division in public meetings, workshops, and consultations, promoting transparency and community involvement.
Prepare comprehensive reports on project progress, financial performance, and departmental activities for city leadership and stakeholders.
Maintain thorough and accurate documentation for all construction projects and departmental processes.
Manage, oversee, and perform quality control on plan reviews performed by staff and contract staff, and outside consultants.
Update the LBMC in accordance with the State triennial and City mandated regulations.
Processes alternate methods of construction and code modifications granted or negotiated on various construction projects.
Other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS TO FILE
EDUCATION
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture or a related field.
Candidates may substitute experience offering specific and substantial preparation for the duties of the position for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
*Required documents, such as transcripts, degrees, certificates, or licenses, must be uploaded to the online application in PDF format at the time of filing. Any documents submitted must contain either the applicant's name or other identifying characteristics on the document. Proof of education for academic degrees should indicate the type of degree and date of degree conferral. Candidates who possess degrees or units from outside the United States must attach proof of educational equivalency at the time of filing.
EXPERIENCE:
Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in engineering, building and safety, and the application and enforcement of code regulations.
Two (2) years of the required experience must have been at a supervisory or management level.
Must be a California licensed Professional Engineer or Architect (*must provide proof of license at the time of submission*).
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- A valid California Class C Driver License and proof of auto insurance.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
- Ability to address complex technical issues and work collaboratively to find innovative solutions to engineering, architectural, and construction challenges.
- Ability to develop and implement long-term plans for community development projects that align with organizational goals and community needs.
- Leading by example with excellent skills in customer service, oral and written communication, time management, supervision and process improvement.
- Familiarity with local ordinances, state law, and federal regulations related to Community Development and engineering projects.
- In-depth understanding of civil and structural engineering principles, construction practices, and infrastructure development; general understanding of subtrade and fire protection engineering principles.
- Strong skills in leading and motivating teams, managing staff, and fostering a collaborative, team-oriented work environment.
- Willingness to embrace new methods and technologies that can enhance project outcomes and community benefits.
- Strong prioritization and time-management skills, with the ability to meet deadlines and adapt to evolving needs and conditions.
SELECTION PROCEDURE
This recruitment will close at 11:59 PM Pacific Time on June 18th, 2026. To be considered, please submit an online application, including a cover letter, resume, license and proof of education in PDF format. Applications that fail to include all necessary documents will be considered incomplete and will not be taken into consideration.
The City of Long Beach is committed to creating a workplace where every employee is valued for who they are. Having our workforce reflect the diversity of our community at various levels of the organization is a continuous goal embraced by our departments, management staff, and policymakers. To support efforts of fairness and diversity, City Leadership is committed to incorporating equity and inclusion into our work by supporting staff and community partners. We are committed to promoting transparency by publishing updated demographic information for employees, including workforce diversity data and pay by race and gender. The City of Long Beach will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer. If the City of Long Beach has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act
The City of Long Beach is committed to maintaining fairness and transparency in our hiring practices. We believe in providing equal opportunities to all applicants and ensuring that every applicant is evaluated based on their qualifications and merit. If you believe that you have been unjustly disqualified based on minimum qualifications for an unclassified job opportunity, you have the right to appeal the decision. Find out more about the Unclassified Applicant Appeal Process by visiting the Applicant Appeal Process (longbeach.gov).
The City of Long Beach intends to provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If special accommodation is desired, or if you would like to request this information in an alternative format, please call (562) 570-7008.In support of the City's Language Access Policy, bilingual skills (Spanish, Khmer, and/or Tagalog) are desirable for positions interacting with the public.
Employer
City of Long Beach
Department
Community Development - (UC)
Address
411 W. Ocean Blvd., 3rd Fl
Long Beach, California, 90802
Phone
(562) 570-5290
Website