The City of Walnut Creek is recruiting for an Assistant Director to join the Community Development Department. This is an at-will position and serves at the will of the City Manager.

SALARY
The current salary range is $164,132 – $228,800 annually. Placement in the range will depend on qualifications.

CLOSING DATE
The City is accepting applications through Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST. However, this job announcement may close at any time without notice if a sufficient number of qualified applications are received prior to the closing date.

WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY:

Making meaningful impact in developing the general plan for the City of Walnut Creek's vision for the future
Managing a dynamic team of planners
Learning and growing professionally while providing leadership in innovative departmental and City initiatives to advance customer service, employee experience and exceptional organizational performance
THE COMMUNITY
The City of Walnut Creek is located just 25 miles east of San Francisco. With its views of Mt. Diablo, temperate weather, upscale dining, and posh shopping district, Walnut Creek is an urban jewel of the East Bay. With a rare blend of 2,800 acres of open space, a vibrant downtown, and a performing arts center, Walnut Creek offers something for everyone!

Walnut Creek is the economic and entertainment hub of Contra Costa County. The city is conveniently located and covers approximately 19.5 square miles. Home to more than 70,000 people, its rich history and thriving downtown are only part of what make Walnut Creek one of the most interesting Bay Area communities. With bustling San Francisco to the west, the Napa Valley wine country to the north, and the natural beauty of Mount Diablo State Park to the east, Walnut Creek offers urban style and a treasured sense of community.

THE ORGANIZATION
Incorporated in 1914, the City of Walnut Creek operates as a General Law city with a City Council/City Manager form of government. The five-member City Council are elected at large for four-year, staggered terms. Walnut Creek is widely recognized for its innovative programs that benefit its citizens as well as provide a dynamic, stimulating work climate for City employees. CARE, the City’s robust award-winning employee engagement initiative, focuses on three (3) key areas: providing career development opportunities; promoting connections among employees; and supporting employee health and wellness. As part of the CARE program, the City Offers compressed work schedules (i.e., 9/80) and hybrid remote work opportunities for eligible positions.

The City’s general fund budget for Fiscal Year 2026 is $107 million which includes funding for 386 full-time equivalent positions. The budget supports the day-to-day services provided by operating departments while also accomplishing Council adopted priorities.

THE DEPARTMENT
The Community Development Department mission is to enhance the community’s quality of life, economic vitality, safety and a sense of belonging. The Department consists of the following divisions: Long Range Planning, Housing, Current Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement and is comprised of 43 full-time equivalent positions. The team is a dedicated and passionate group of professionals committed to creating a positive work environment through support of creativity, innovation, and teamwork. These professionals work collaboratively to review and facilitate development of safe, healthy, and sustainable residential and commercial development that both comply with applicable codes and regulations and foster a vibrant and connected community.
Representative Duties
THE POSITION
Under direction of the Community Development Director, the Assistant Community Development Director helps develop department goals and objectives, works with managers to develop and implement the Planning Division and Housing Division work plans; assigns work activities, projects, and programs; monitors workflow; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures. Additional responsibilities include:

Assisting with the preparation of the department budget and preparing the Planning and Housing Division budgets; assisting in budget implementation; participating in identifying resources needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; administering and approving the budget
Recommending the appointment of personnel; providing and coordinating staff training; conducting performance evaluations, coaching and performance management to ensure accountability
Negotiating, arbitrating, and resolving program, project, and policy conflicts with other departments and community or business stakeholders
Supporting excellent customer service by effectively resolving citizen complaints or problems related to departmental activities, and keeping the Community Development Director advised on departmental and divisional activities through oral and written reports
Representing the department to outside groups and organizations; participating in outside community and professional groups and committees
Researching and preparing technical and administrative reports; preparing written correspondence

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The City of Walnut Creek is seeking a creative, collaborative, team-oriented, and hands-on Assistant Community Development Director. The ideal candidate will be a passionate and innovative leader who is committed to organizational development and represents the department with integrity and professionalism. They will foster trust, strengthen the organizational culture, and support the department’s ongoing pursuit of excellence. The selected candidate will have extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, modern theories, and best principles and practices related to urban planning, environmental planning, zoning, land use control, and community development.

The ideal candidate will also have the ability to establish and maintain excellent working relationships based on leadership rather than authority. The Assistant Director will be open and willing to meet, listen, collaborate, and find solutions to planning and development challenges. With responsibility for the overall management of community development services, it is crucial that the selected candidate be a subject matter expert who can communicate complex ideas to a broad audience of varying levels of understanding. The Assistant Community Development Director must communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, and must have the ability to plan, organize, and coordinate a variety of complex projects, services, and programs. Knowledge of City policies and procedures; principles and practices of effective employee supervision, training, and performance evaluations; and administrative management, including goal setting, program development, organization, and budgeting is required.
Qualifications Guidelines
Any equivalent combination of experience and education that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for successful job performance will be considered.

EDUCATION
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in Urban Studies, City and Regional Planning, Environmental Planning, Public Administration, or related field. A Master's degree in a related field is highly desirable.

EXPERIENCE
A minimum of six (6) years of extensive, progressively responsible administrative and supervisory experience in the administration of urban planning operations, preferably in a municipality or other public agency, including two (2) years of management responsibility; or any equivalent combination of education and experience is required.