Director of Community Development

Salary : $159,936.00 - $194,400.00 Annually
Location : 7100 Garfield Ave. Bell Gardens, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2425-018
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 02/24/2025
Closing Date: 3/27/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Position Details
Position Summary
The Director of Community Development is responsible for the planning, administering, and directing of all planning, building safety, code enforcement, business licensing, rental stabilization, and economic development activities of the City.
Examples of Essential Functions
Job Responsibilities
Essential Functions: -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Provides direction, planning, and leadership for all Community Development Department activities; evaluates operational performance, reviews programs and projects, fosters communications within the department; identifies problems, collaborates with other staff, and provides conflict resolution.

Supervises, guides, motivates, manages, and evaluates assigned staff; delegates work, fosters working relationships and provides training and instruction on methods, procedures, and program goals; reviews, evaluates, and provides feedback on employee performance.

Prepares and administers the Department budget; provides annual and monthly feedback on revenue and expenditures; proposes changes or updates to the budget and consistently reviews potential areas needing fund re-allocation.

Collaborates and engages with other department heads, leaders, supervisors, community members, and the general public on community development needs; provides recommendations for planning, programs, projects, business licensing, rent stabilization, code enforcement, and economic development; coordinates work to ensure timeliness, efficiency, and accuracy.

Develops and maintains extensive work relationships; works on special projects requested by the City Manager, the City Council, or other departments; conducts strategic and long-range planning, research, and analysis for the Department and the City.

Attends, engages, and represents the City at various meetings; develops, prepares, and presents documents and reports to the planning commission and City Council; studies and presents potential changes which could impact Community Development; writes staff reports as necessary.

Supports the relationship between the City and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and pertinent information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

Manages City owned properties & Leases.

Works closely with the Bell Gardens Chamber of Commerce.

Manages loan payoffs and the CDBG Program for the City.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum & Desirable Qualifications
Job Requirements

Knowledge of -

• Community development administration, planning, and management.
• Applicable State and Federal statutes and codes.
• Project management principles and practices.
• Negotiation techniques, real estate principles, legislative analysis, cost benefit analysis, and public administration.
• Budget development and implementation.
• California Uniform Building Code, Government Code, Health and Safety Code
• City General Plan, City Housing Element.
• Personnel management and supervision.
• Record keeping, report preparation, and public speaking.
• General office policies and procedures

Skill in -

• Organizing work and setting priorities to meet deadlines.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgement within established guidelines.
• Affordable housing development, land entitlement process, and planning principles.
• Researching, compiling, and summarizing a variety of informational and statistical data.
• Understanding building codes, municipal finance, and municipal law.
• Understanding and interpreting complex policies, protocols, and procedures.
• Planning, organizing, assigning, directing, and evaluating the work of assigned staff.
• Operating a computer with intermediate level proficiency in document and file management, word-processing, database management, and internet and email usage.

Education:
Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration or Urban Planning. Master's Degree highly desirable.

Experience: Ten years of experience in housing, planning, administration, real estate finance, or public policy; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Bilingual Spanish highly desirable.
Physical Requirements:
Work is done in a standard office environment with several hours spent sitting and using a computer terminal. May be necessary to travel to attend meetings and conferences.

Mandatory Attachments:
Interested candidates are asked to attach a letter of interest, resume, and five professional references to this application.

Selection Process
Following a review of all applicants, the best-qualified candidates as determined by applicable experience and education will be scheduled for further assessment procedures. Initial appointment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a City paid physical examination, drug screening, background check and verification of U.S. Citizenship or right to work in the United States.
Other Important Information

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The City of Bell Gardens is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

If you require reasonable accommodation during the examination components due to a qualified disability, you must inform the Human Resources Division at (562) 806-7717 at least 5 days in advance of testing date.

Please contact NEOGOV applicant support at (855) 524-5627 for any technical issues when creating an account or submitting an application. Applicant Support Hours: Monday through Friday, 6am - 5pm PST.
Health Insurance - 100% City-paid medical (HMO), dental and vision coverage for employee and eligible dependents - a small employee contribution may be required when premium plans are selected. Cafeteria Opt Out for cash available.

Supplemental Insurance - City paid employee assistance program, STD/LTD plans, and life insurance at 1x annual salary (included AD&D).

Retirement - Enrollment in California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Formula dependent upon current PERS membership:

• 2.7% @55 (Tier I Classic Member)
• 2.0% @55 (Tier II Classic Member)
• 2.0% @62 (Tier III /New Member/PEPRA)

Leaves - Competitive Vacation and Sick Leave Plans; along with generous holiday and floating holiday time.
Bilingual Pay - Employees certified as fluent in English/Spanish can receive up to $200 per month.

Educational Incentive -Incentive paid for degree above minimum job requirement as follows: Associate Degree - $100 per month; Bachelor's Degree - $150 per month; Master's Degree - $200 per month.

Tuition Reimbursement -The City reimburses for job-related courses with prior approval and satisfactory completion up to $2,000 per fiscal year.

Deferred Compensation Plan - Employees may defer their eligible income not to exceed legally allowed limits.

Optional Benefits - Supplemental Life / Accidental / Short Term Disability / Cancer Insurance plans available.