DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under general administrative direction, plans, directs, manages, and oversees the functions, programs, and operations of the Community Development Department including planning, building, code enforcement, and housing services and activities; coordinates assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to an Assistant City Manager and the City Manager.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Assumes full management responsibility for all Community Development Department functions, programs, and operations including planning, building, code enforcement, and housing services and activities.
• Manages the development and implementation of Departmental goals, objectives, and priorities for each assigned service area; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Establishes, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocates resources accordingly.
• Assesses and monitors work load, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs and implements changes.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates, through subordinate level staff, the Community Development Department’s work plan; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; oversees the implementation of Council Action Plan for each assigned division; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures; meets with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the Department budget; approves the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
• Provides staff assistance to an Assistant City Manager, City Manager, and City Council; responds to inquiries; resolves major issues and problems; provides status on pending projects; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Represents the Community Development Department to other departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; coordinates assigned activities with those of other departments, developers, and outside agencies and organizations; meets with developer on submitted or proposed projects; serves on SANDAG regional committee comprised of area Planning Directors; meets with wildlife agencies and elected officials for MHCP.
• Participates on a variety of boards, commissions, committees, and teams; reviews and prepares public presentations at City Council and other public meetings; participates in City Council directed projects/teams including Council Subcommittees, Economic Development, and projects of major importance to the City.
• Explains, justifies, and defends department programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations related to community development programs.
• Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints. Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive Community Development Department including planning, building, code enforcement, and housing programs and functional areas.
• Urban and regional planning, zoning, and development theory, principles, and practices and their application to a wide variety of municipal planning services and activities.
• Development review procedures and requirements.
• Housing programs and related housing legislation.
• Code enforcement procedures and citation authority.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including land use, zoning, and building codes and ordinances.
• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs.
• Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to assigned programs and services.
• Advanced methods and techniques of effective technical and administrative report preparation and presentation.
• Methods and techniques of eliciting community participation in planning and development issues.

Ability to:

• Manage and direct a comprehensive Community Development Department.
• Develop and administer departmental goals, objectives, and procedures.
• Analyze and assess programs, policies, and operational needs and make appropriate adjustments.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of lower level staff.
• Delegate authority and responsibility.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Prepare clear and concise technical, administrative, and financial reports.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets.
• Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Identify and respond to sensitive community and organizational issues, concerns, and needs.
• Provide highly complex and responsible staff support to the Planning Commission, the City Council, and other boards, commissions, and committees as assigned.
• Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, public administration, or a related field. A Master’s degree is highly desirable.

Experience: Ten years of increasingly responsible experience in a position related to community development, planning, or public administration and management including three years of management and administrative responsibility.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Standard office setting. CONTINUOUS working indoors, dust from paperwork. Work schedule is 9/80 with alternating Fridays off in a biweekly period. Incumbents may be required to work weekends and evenings. Work environment is both formal and informal, team oriented, having variable tasks, pace, and pressure. Work is performed indoors in office and in meeting rooms.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting and operate office equipment. CONTINUOUS sitting and upward and downward flexion of neck; fine finger dexterity; light to moderate finger pressure to manipulate keyboard, equipment controls, and office equipment; pinch grasp to manipulate writing utensils. FREQUENT side-to-side turning of neck, walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting at waist; moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials; lifting objects weighing up to 20 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 yards. OCCASIONAL squatting, kneeling, and reaching above and at shoulder height; moderate grasp to manipulate reference books and manuals; lifting objects weighing 20-35 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 feet.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents and to operate equipment.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Date: April 2003
Johnson & Associates