Community Development Director - City of St. Helena, CA
About The Position
The City of St. Helena, located in the center of Napa Valley and recognized for its long-standing agricultural heritage, historic character, and regional economic significance, is seeking an experienced and highly capable Community Development Director. With a resident population of approximately 6,000 and a substantial number of daily visitors drawn to its wineries, hospitality sector, and commercial amenities, St. Helena serves as an important service and employment hub for the upper valley. To learn more about this charming city, please visit the City of St. Helena website at www.cityofsthelena.org. The City is seeking a knowledgeable, principled, and service-oriented planning professional with extensive experience in land use planning, entitlement processes, CEQA, and the evolving landscape of California housing laws, including SB 330 and ADU requirements. The ideal candidate will demonstrate sound judgment, strong analytical skills, and the ability to manage high-profile development proposals—from hotels and wineries to housing—while balancing development pressures with community character. This individual will be a strong collaborator and communicator, enhance customer service, advance process improvements, support local entrepreneurs, and bring emotional intelligence to complex conversations in a highly engaged environment. Key priorities will include advancing housing initiatives, supporting key policy and planning efforts, contributing to municipal service and annexation work, and guiding process enhancements that improve coordination and service delivery. This is a unique opportunity for a dedicated public-sector professional to help shape St. Helena’s future while preserving the community’s historic and cultural identity.
Requirements
- extensive experience in land use planning
- experience in entitlement processes
- experience with CEQA
- experience with the evolving landscape of California housing laws, including SB 330 and ADU requirements
- demonstrate sound judgment
- strong analytical skills
- the ability to manage high-profile development proposals—from hotels and wineries to housing—while balancing development pressures with community character
- strong collaborator and communicator
- enhance customer service
- advance process improvements
- support local entrepreneurs
- bring emotional intelligence to complex conversations in a highly engaged environment
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
No Education Listed
