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Director of Community Development
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes / Rancho Palos Verdes
Posted on: March 26, 2020
Application Deadline: Continuous
Job Description
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES is looking for our next DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT to bring creativity and vision, and serve as an ambassador of the organization to the community as well as businesses, developers, and other key stakeholders.
This is a continuous recruitment that can close at any time. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately.
THE COMMUNITY
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is located on a coastal peninsula overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Los Angeles, California. It rests atop the Palos Verdes Hills and bluffs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and maintains a low density and semi-rural environment. The City’s diverse and active population enjoys all the benefits of a bedroom community within a beautiful seaside location.
THE DEPARTMENT
The Community Development Department is comprised of four (4) divisions: Building and Safety, Code Enforcement, Planning and Zoning, and View Restoration and Preservation. The purpose of the Community Development Department is to ensure the orderly physical development of the community by upholding the goals and policies of the City’s General Plan through the issuance of land use entitlements and permits for improvements and development of private property.
THE POSITION
This exempt position reports to the City Manager and performs a variety of professional, administrative, technical, and supervisory duties related to planning, organizing, directing, controlling, and coordinating the planning, zoning, building, code enforcement, land development, community, and economic development functions of the city. Responsibilities include coordinating the activities of the department with those of 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 work provides for a wide variety of independent decision-making, within legal and general policy and regulatory guidelines. Exercises general direction and supervision over management, supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff through subordinate levels of supervision.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
Crucial to this position is the ability to communicate with diverse personalities at all levels of the organization, while remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful and efficient, with a high level of maturity and professionalism. Expert written and verbal communication skills, strong decision-making ability, exceedingly well organized and attention to detail are also equally important. The successful candidate must assure that staff work is carried out, interrelated issues are addressed, and details are not overlooked. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy, municipal functions and activities, including the role of an elected City Council, and the ability to develop, oversee, and implement projects and programs in a variety of areas.
DEFINITION AND CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is a Department Director classification that oversees, directs, and participates in all activities of the Community Development Department, including short- and long-term planning, development and administration of departmental policies, procedures, and services. Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, manages, and provides administrative direction and oversight for all functions and activities of the Community Development Department, including planning, building and safety, and code compliance; directs and administers the planning and building operations and activities of the City, which include current, advance, and environmental planning, building plan check, permitting, and inspection activities; coordinates assigned activities with other City departments, officials, outside agencies, and the public; fosters cooperative working relationships among City departments and with intergovernmental and regulatory agencies and various public and private groups; provides highly responsible and complex professional assistance to the City Manager in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required. This class provides assistance to the City Manager in a variety of administrative, coordinative, analytical, and liaison capacities.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
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.Assumes full management responsibility for all Community Development Department programs, services, and activities, including current, advance, and environmental planning, building plan check, permitting, inspection, historic preservation, and code compliance activities.
- 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 annual budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements adjustments as necessary.
- Selects, trains, motivates, and directs department personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; works with employees on performance issues; implements discipline and termination procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns.
- 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.
- Meets with developers, engineers, property owners, contractors, and other agencies to discuss merits and concerns of development proposals; provides various parties with guidance on how to proceed; oversees negotiations and agreements regarding environment-related issues, rights-of-way, and open space easements, and financial participation; discusses status of development projects with applicants.
- Directs, coordinates and reviews amendments to the General Plan; provides general plan and code interpretation as needed; provides analysis, recommendations, and implementation of policies and procedures; develops and presents recommendations on a variety of permits, maps, ordinances, zone changes and applications.
- 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.
- Represents the department to other City departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; 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 in and makes presentations to the City Council, Planning Commission, and a variety of boards and commissions; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of community development and other services as they relate to the areas of assignment.
- Maintains and directs the maintenance of working and official departmental files.
- Monitors changes in laws, regulations, and technology that may affect City or departmental operations; implements policy and procedural changes as required.
- Prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the City Manager.
- Responds to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Experience / Skills / Education
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in community development, urban planning, civil engineering, or a related field and seven (7) years of management and/or administrative experience in community development, urban planning, and project administration.
Knowledge 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.
- Public agency budget development, contract administration, City-wide administrative practices, and general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
- 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.
- Theories, principles, and contents of General Plan, land use, zoning, subdivision, and urban planning regulations, natural resource protection, and environmental laws.
- Principles and techniques of conducting site planning, architectural review, subdivision design, land use, and other analytical studies, evaluating alternatives, and making sound recommendations.
- Applicable relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
- Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
- Technical, legal, financial, and public relations problems associated with the management of community development programs.
- Methods and techniques for the development of presentations, contract negotiations, business correspondence, and information distribution; research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
- Record keeping principles and procedures.
- Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
- English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
- Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
- Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
Ability to:
- Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for the department and assigned program areas.
- Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for the department and the City.
- Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost effective manner.
- Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional, and technical personnel; delegate authority and responsibility.
- Select, train, motivate, and evaluate the work of staff and train staff in work procedures.
- Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
- Effectively administer special projects with contractual agreements and ensure compliance with stipulations; effectively administer a variety of community development programs and administrative activities.
- Conduct effective negotiations and 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.
- Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
- Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
- Operate office equipment and computer applications related to the work.
- Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
- Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
- Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Ability to:
- Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for the department and assigned program areas.
- Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for the department and the City.
- Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost effective manner.
- Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional, and technical personnel; delegate authority and responsibility.
- Select, train, motivate, and evaluate the work of staff and train staff in work procedures.
- Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
- Effectively administer special projects with contractual agreements and ensure compliance with stipulations; effectively administer a variety of community development programs and administrative activities.
- Conduct effective negotiations and 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.
- Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
- Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
- Operate office equipment and computer applications related to the work.
- Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
- Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
- Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Application Instructions
This is a continuous recruitment that can close at any time. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately.
To apply, visit our careers page at
www.governmentjobs.com/careers/rpvca
Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources. If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact us at (310) 544-5332 no later than five (5) business days before the test date.