The City of Dana Point is seeking an inspiring and visionary leader to serve as our next Director of Community Development. This is a unique opportunity to guide innovative planning and development initiatives in a vibrant coastal city known for its spectacular coastline, high quality of life, and engaged citizenry. We invite forward-thinking, service-oriented professionals to bring their expertise and passion to our leadership team and help shape the future of Dana Point!

DEFINITION
Under administrative direction, plan, direct, manage, and oversee the activities and operations of the Community Development Department including planning, code enforcement, economic development, building plan check and inspection administration; coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies; provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Manager; and perform other duties as assigned.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
The Director of Community Development is a department head and a member of the City’s management team. Incumbent is expected to oversee all departmental operations, including budgeting; hiring, supervision and evaluation of staff; report presentations to the City Council; carry out City policy; and assist with a wide variety of projects.

This position is at-will and exempt under FLSA standards.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Essential job functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: (Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job).

Assume full management and technical responsibility for all services and activities within the Community Development department including, but not limited to, current and long-range planning, zoning development, environmental review, building inspection, code enforcement, and other related activities.
Direct the development and implantation of the department’s goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each assigned area; establish, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; allocate resources accordingly.

Plan, direct, and coordinate through subordinate level managers and supervisors, the department’s work plan; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems; assign project and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures.

Manage and participate in the development and administration of the department operating budget; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; direct the monitoring of and approve expenditures; direct the preparation of and implement budgetary adjustments as necessary.

Plan, organize, and direct the development, preparation and review of special studies, reports, and other official documents, such as the General Plan, local coastal plan, the Zoning Ordinance and Environmental Impact reports.

Reviews and evaluates proposed and new legislation and administrative regulations affecting planning related functions; advises the City Manager, Planning Commission and City Council on the impact of such changes and recommends actions to be taken.

Confer with contractors, engineers, developers, architects, a variety of agencies, and the general public in acquiring information and coordinating planning, zoning, subdivision, building, environmental and related matters.
Initiate public relations activities and respond to public inquiries and complaints; assist with resolutions and alternative recommendations.

Select, train, motivate and evaluate department personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures; respond to staff questions and concerns.

Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; direct the implementation of changes.

Research and analyze a variety of management and administrative programs and issues; interview or coordinate with legal counsel, City Council, staff, citizens, public and others to obtain information; prepare necessary correspondence; prepare and present written and verbal reports on findings and implement recommendations.

Negotiate and administer contracts and agreements; coordinate with legal counsel and City department representatives to determine city needs and requirements for contractual services.

Attend and make presentations at City Council meetings and meetings with representatives of the community, county, state and federal agencies, professional associations and regional planning bodies.

Evaluate, prepare, and present departmental reports and staff recommendations at City Council, Commission and professional meetings with representatives of the community, county, state and federal agencies, and professional associations.

Provide staff assistance to the City Manager; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.

Participate on a variety of boards and commissions; attend and participate in professional group meetings; maintain awareness of new trends and developments in the field of community development; incorporate new developments as appropriate.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive community development program.
Principals, practices and legislative requirements related to administering a community development department including general plan development and administration, land-use planning, zoning, environmental impact reports and administration, building codes, redevelopment and related matters.
Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of projects, programs, policies, procedures and operational needs.
Principles and practices of municipal government administration.
Principals and procedures pertaining to site planning, architectural review and subdivision design.
Methods and techniques for writing and presentations, contract negotiations, business correspondence and information distribution.
Research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
Advanced principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
Principles of personnel management including supervision, training and performance evaluation.
Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations.
Public Works contract administration, including the process of contract preparation, contractor selection, administration of contract work, change order, disputes, claims, equal employment opportunity and closing of contracts.
General principals of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Recent developments and current literature.
Safe work principles and practices.

Ability to:
Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for the Community Development Department.
Develop, implement and administer goals, objectives, and procedures for providing effective and efficient community development services.
Effectively direct and provide City-wide strategic planning recommendations.
Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
Provide courteous and responsive communications with the public.
Evaluate operations and problems; recommend and implement efficiency and productivity improvements.
Effectively administer special projects with contractual agreements and ensure compliance with stipulations.
Effectively administer a variety of City programs and administrative activities.
Plan, organize, direct, supervise, evaluate, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional and technical personnel, delegate authority and responsibility.
Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
Resolve complicated situations requiring diplomacy and tact.
Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with federal, state and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.
Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
Use a variety of computer communication GIS and design programs and software.
Work nights, weekends and holidays if necessary to complete tasks on time, and to attend meetings and functions.
Make sound decisions and instill confidence in the public on planning and code enforcement matters.
Operate a motor vehicle safely.
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
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in planning or a closely related field. Eight years of broad and increasingly responsible community development experience, including researching, analyzing, developing, writing and presenting reports including three years of management and administrative responsibility. A Master’s degree in related fields is highly desirable.

License or Certificates:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver’s license.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 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.

Physical Requirements:
Position requires the ability to perform occasional light lifting and carrying; intermittent walking and standing; and sitting for prolonged periods of time. Continuous hand use and finger dexterity needed to use computer keyboard and operate standard office equipment; occasional pushing, pulling, grasping, and reaching may be required. Occasional use of hand and foot controls for driving may also be required. This position also requires the ability to read engineering drawings, plans, specifications, technical reports, contracts and other records. Good hearing is required when communicating on the telephone or in person.

Work Environment:
Primarily office environment with controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Occasional field work where incumbent may be exposed to construction and traffic noise; dust, gas or fumes; walking on uneven ground; machinery and construction equipment. High volume of work with tight deadlines and performs overtime work beyond regularly scheduled hours.

Note: All employees of the City of Dana Point are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be “Disaster Service Workers.” In the event of a declared emergency or an undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours and performing work significantly different from the employees’ normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.