Director of Development Services

City of Merced•Merced, CA

20h•Hybrid

About The Position

Under administrative direction, oversee, direct, plan, and manage the activities and operations of the Development Services Department including Planning, Inspection Services and housing programs, services, and activities; represent the City Council policies and programs; coordinate assigned activities with other departments and other agencies; and provide highly responsible and complex administrative support for the City Manager; and do related work as required. This is the top-level management classification that has responsibility for managing and directing the Development Services functions, including Planning and One-Stop Permitting, Housing and Inspection Services.

Requirements

Knowledge of operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive Development Services Department including planning, inspection services, housing and related programs and functional areas.
Advanced principles and practices of land use planning and their application to a variety of planning problems.
Advanced principles and practices of program development and administration.
Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
Legislation related to economic issues.
Short-term and long-term economic trends in local, county, state, and national economy.
Advanced methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
Public housing administration, including rehabilitation and financing.
Contract and grant development and administration.
Purposes and procedures of public planning agencies, boards, and governing bodies.
Research methods and statistical analysis.
Environmental review procedures and impacts from changes in land use.
Graphic illustration and presentation.
Use of computer and computer applications in program and services development and evaluation.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations including laws, regulations, and policies affecting land use, zoning, and housing.
Ability to manage and direct a comprehensive Development Services Department.
Ability to provide highly complex and responsible staff support to the Planning Commission, the City Council, and other boards, commissions, and committees as assigned.
Ability to develop and administer departmental goals, objectives, and procedures.
Ability to analyze and assess programs, policies, and operational needs and make appropriate adjustments.
Ability to identify and respond to sensitive community and organizational issues, concerns, and needs.
Ability to plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of lower level staff.
Ability to delegate authority and responsibility.
Ability to select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
Ability to research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
Ability to read and interpret laws, ordinances, general plan elements, environmental impact statements, maps, and other documents related to community planning and land use.
Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret economic and physical data pertaining to planning and zoning, including the interpretation of maps and plans.
Ability to direct the preparation and prepare a variety of planning studies and reports.
Ability to operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
Ability to perform the most complex professional studies and environmental reviews.
Ability to prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
Ability to prepare and administer large and complex budgets.
Ability to interpret and apply applicable Federal, State, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, landscape architecture, public administration, or a related field.
Eight years of increasingly responsible experience in planning, community development, or development services including three years of management and administrative responsibility.
Possession of an appropriate California Driver License.

Nice To Haves

A Master's degree is desirable.

Responsibilities

Assume full management responsibility for all Development Services Department activities including planning, inspection services and housing programs.
Manage the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, and priorities for each assigned service area; recommend and administer policies; and participate in current and advanced planning functions.
Establish, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; and allocate resources accordingly.
Assess and monitor work load, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; and direct and implement changes.
Plan, direct, and coordinate, through subordinate level staff, the Development Services Department's work plan; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; and meet with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
Select, train, motivate, and evaluate assigned personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; and implement discipline and termination procedures.
Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the department budget; approve the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; and approve expenditures and implement budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
Oversee the City's Community Development Block Grant, HOME, First Time Homebuyer, and Housing Rehabilitation programs; prepare HUD Annual Report and amendments.
Interpret applicable laws, rules, codes, and regulations; develop and recommend adoption of codes and ordinances, as well as revisions to existing codes and ordinances.
Direct and participate in complex regional and joint planning studies; responsible for oversight of the City's development review process; and consult and provide advice on Development Services issues to the City Manager and City Council.
Oversee and participate in the maintenance and update of the City's General Plan.
Develop neighborhood revitalization programs and creative programs in support of a jobs/housing balance.
Provide staff assistance to the City Manager; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence as required by other governmental agencies; and provide advice and support for Department staff.
Represent the Development Services Department to other departments, the public, community organizations, elected officials, and outside agencies; coordinate assigned activities with those of other departments, outside agencies and organizations.
Explain, justify, and defend department programs, policies, and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
Attend and participate in professional group meetings; maintain awareness of new trends and developments in the fields of community/economic development; incorporate new developments as appropriate.
Prepare and administer the City's Public Facilities Impact fees and City Planning Application fees, including preparing the Public Facilities Financing Plan and base Planning fees, preparing the annual updates of fees and making determinations of which fees to charge.
Serve as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence; and manage assigned committees, including scheduling and chairing the meetings, reviewing and preparing agendas, reports, minutes, and public hearing notices, and assigning work.
Oversee and participate on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees.
Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
Perform related duties as required.