COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

DEFINITION
Under policy direction, plans, organizes, manages, and directs the County’s planning, building inspection, code enforcement, environmental processing, and land use functions; provides consultation and coordination for land use issues and pertinent codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations; serves as professional planning staff to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors; performs special assignments; and performs related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Community Development Director is an official appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The incumbent serves as the department head for the Community Development Department and is responsible for the direction, oversight, supervision, and coordination of the County’s planning, building inspection, code enforcement, and land use functions.

This is a discrete classification. The incumbent in this management position serves at the pleasure of his/her appointing authority, which means the employment relationship is at-will, and that the County of Lake or the employee may terminate the relationship at any time, with or without cause.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives policy direction from the County Administrative Officer on behalf of the Board of Supervisors. Exercises general direction and supervision over professional, technical, administrative support, and extra help staff.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the scope of duties performed by employees in this class and are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

Assumes full management responsibility for all programs, services, and activities of the Community Development Department, based on policy direction provided by the Board of Supervisors, federal requirements, and state regulations and policies.
Develops and implements the department’s goals, objectives, policies, and procedures; and exercises accountability for the department and related decisions.
Creates performance and development plans for direct reports, conducts periodic discussions about progress, prepares written performance evaluations; makes hiring, termination, and disciplinary decisions.
Plans, organizes, administers, reviews, and evaluates the work of department staff through subordinate managers.
Prepares and administers the department’s budgets and manages the fiscal expenditures and revenues.
Plans, directs, organizes, manages, and coordinates the County’s planning, building inspection, code enforcement, and land use functions; coordinates the review and approval of environmental reviews and documents; develops and administers a variety of inspection and enforcement programs.
Develops and administers the County’s general plan and resource planning; serves as an appeals level for land use permits.
Provides subject matter expertise and consultation for planning and land use issues to County management, elected officials, boards, and commissions.
Interprets and enforces federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules, regulations, and ordinances related to the functions of the Community Development Department.
Prepares, reviews, complies, and analyzes complex technical reports, inspection reports, contracts, certifications, public records requests, statistical data, evidence, and other documents.
Represents the department and serves as the liaison to the public, community organizations, and other government agencies; attends regional and state meetings; provides information and delivers presentations as needed.
Responds in the event of local disasters and supports community recovery efforts.
Performs special assignments for the Board of Supervisors and the County Administrative Officer.
Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of public administration, organization, management analysis, supervision, personnel management, employee relations, training, and organizational development.
Federal, state, and, local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, policies, and procedures related to land use, resource conservation, the environment, nuisance abatement, planning, zoning, and building construction.
Purposes, procedures, and functions of public land use agencies, boards, commissions, and governing bodies.
Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
Principles and practices of leadership.
Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs.
Principles, techniques, and practices of effective program and project administration.
Principles of budget preparation and expenditure control.
Principles, techniques, and trends of land use and environmental planning.
Proper inspection methods and procedures.
Environmental impacts of changes in land use.
Research and statistical methods.
Written and oral communications skills.
Proper English spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software applications) to conduct research, assess information, and/or prepare documentation.
Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction.

Ability to:
Plan, organize, manage, and administer the functions of the Community Development Department.
Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
Analyze, interpret, explain, and apply a variety of state and County laws, ordinances, policies, rules procedures and regulations related to land use, environmental quality, resource planning, building construction, and abatement.
Develop and implement Countywide inspection and enforcement programs.
Enforce regulations with firmness and tact.
Direct, organize, and prepare planning studies, reports, and presentations.
Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for the department.
Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for the department and the County.
Oversee the gathering and maintenance of data regarding land use and environmental control.
Develop and administer the department budget.
Effectively represent the Community Development Department.
Regularly work well under pressure, meeting critical deadlines.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Utilize a computer, relevant software applications, and/or other equipment as assigned to perform a variety of work tasks.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Licensing and Certifications:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California Driver’s License.

Education and Experience:
Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major coursework in planning or a closely related field.
AND
Five (5) years of full-time progressively responsible professional experience in planning, land use, and/or environmental management work, including at least three (3) years full-time experience in a supervisory or management position.

Additional directly related experience and/or education may be substituted.