Description

DEFINITION

Under administrative and general policy 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 housing; 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; 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.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives administrative and general policy direction from the City Manager. 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.

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. This classification provides assistance to the City Manager in a variety of administrative, analytical, and liaison capacities. 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. 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.

Examples of Duties

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

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, code enforcement, and housing.
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.
Works cooperatively with other City Departments and outside agencies to process and review development proposals, zoning changes, and permit requests.
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.
Ensures the proper administration and enforcement of the City’s building, zoning, housing and related codes.
Assists Code Enforcement staff in reviewing and interpreting municipal code provisions and reviewing code violations.
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.
Attend and participate in professional group meetings, stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the fields of planning, housing, and building construction.
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 area 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.

Typical Qualifications

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 Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and organizational policies and procedures 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.

Education and Experience:

Qualifications

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:

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. Experience as a Civil Engineer, a Master’s degree, and a CBO are desirable.

Licenses And Certifications

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment.
A.I.C.P. certification preferred.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to inspect City development sites, to operate a motor vehicle, and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

The City of Westminster offers a comprehensive benefit package to Executive employees, including:

RETIREMENT BENEFITS: The City participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). The City's contract provides for the following retirement tiers:

Tier 2 (Classic Members hired on or after July 28, 2011): 2.0% @ 60 formula; employees contribute 7.0% of salary towards retirement costs.

Tier 3/PEPRA (New Members hired on or after January 1, 2013): 2.0% @ 62 formula; employees contribute 8.25% of salary towards retirement costs.

The City of Westminster does not participate in Social Security.

INSURANCE BENEFITS: Effective January 1, 2024, the City's cafeteria benefits plan provides $1,600 per month toward the purchase of health, dental, vision and life insurance, as well as additional voluntary products. Employees who participate in the CalPERS health insurance program and are enrolled in a Family plan will receive an additional $400 per month towards the purchase of medical benefits (total of $2,000 per month).

Medical insurance is provided through the Cal-PERS health insurance program. Unused cafeteria plan dollars may be received by the employee as taxable income. A pre-tax flexible spending account is also available for health care and dependent care expenses. The City also provides a City-paid Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefit of 66.6% of salary to a maximum of $10,000 per month; the City also provides a paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

EXECUTIVE LEAVE: Employees shall receive 120 hours per calendar year, on a pro-rated basis.

AUTO ALLOWANCE: Executive employees will receive $300 a month in auto allowance.

VACATION: Employees earn 120 hours of paid vacation during their first year of service. An additional eight hours is earned for each additional year of service up to five (5) years. Additional benefits apply after 20 years of service. Employees are permitted to cash out accrued unused vacation hours a maximum of 2 times per calendar year.

HOLIDAYS: Employees receive eleven (11) paid City 9-hour fixed holidays, and an additional 27 hours of floating holiday time annually to be used at the employee's discretion.

HOLIDAY FURLOUGH: City offices are closed between Christmas and New Year's Day. Employees may use accumulated leave banks or elect leave without pay during the furlough.

SICK LEAVE: Employees earn 96 hours of paid sick leave per year. Employees may elect to cash out sick leave earned during the previous year at the rate of 50% of total value.

WORK SCHEDULE: The City offers flexible work schedules. Employees will have the option to work a 9/80, 4/10, or 5/8/40 work schedule. The City does not offer a Hybrid work schedule at this time.

LONGEVITY PAY: As an incentive for continuous service, employees are entitled to longevity pay at completion of the following service intervals:

21 years of service = 2.0% longevity pay
22 years of service = 4.0% longevity pay
23 years of service = 6.0% longevity pay
24 years of service = 8.0% longevity pay
25 years of service = 10.0% longevity pay

CELL PHONE / DATA PLAN REIMBURSEMENT: Employees who use their personal cell phone for business-related purposes may qualify for up to $60 per month reimbursement.

BILINGUAL PAY: The City provides $150 per month for demonstrated proficiency in specified languages including Spanish and Vietnamese.

For a more detailed overview of the benefits, please refer to the Resolution covering Executive Employees at: City Compensation/MOU's

City of Westminster

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Community Development Director