Assistant Director of Community Development

City of Lakewood (CA); Lakewood (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CalPERS retirement

Generous leave

Health insurance

Longevity pay

Job summary

The City of Lakewood is seeking an Assistant Director of Community Development to support the Community Development Department and help build an eligibility list for a future vacancy expected in December 2026. The role involves supervising staff, coordinating major studies, and promoting economic development within the city.

Qualifications include a four-year degree in urban planning or related field, five years of management‑level planning experience, and a California driver’s license; Master’s

Qualifications

• Requires college degree in urban/regional planning or related field and 5 years of management-level planning experience.
• Master’s degree in planning preferred.
• California Driver’s License; AICP certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and evaluate departmental staff and activities.
• Coordinate major planning studies and General Plan implementation.
• Prepare planning reports, budgets, and grant applications.
• Liaise with developers on subdivision and redevelopment projects.
• Oversee permit processing and fee structures to cover costs.

Skills

People management

Budgeting

Communication

Planning

Team leadership

Education

Urban planning degree

Master's preferred

Tools

ArcGIS

ArcView

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Job description

The City of Lakewood is currently accepting applications for the position of Assistant Director of Community Development to create an eligibility list for a future vacancy that is anticipated in December of 2026.

Under general direction, assists in supervising and directing the daily activities of the Community Development Department; performs complex, technical planning work and prepares advanced planning studies and reports; performs related duties as required.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assists the department Director in supervising, directing and evaluating the work of departmental personnel and activities
• Coordinates major studies and research
• Plans and develops methods to implement the City's General Plan
• Leads and trains departmental personnel in research and studies of various General Plan elements
• Manages the preparation of detailed design studies to maximize utilization of land and resources
• Coordinates the preparation of environmental impact reports
• Conducts architectural design reviews and makes recommendations to fulfill planning requirements and zoning codes
• Provides liaison with developers in subdivision, new construction, rehabilitation and redevelopment projects
• Prepares redevelopment plans, reports, budgets agreements, ordinances, hearing notices;
• Supervises building activities to ensure customer friendly, effective and timely permit processing
• Monitors planning and building fee structures to ensure that they adequately off-set costs
• Supervises the use of federal Community Development Block Grant funds and Redevelopment Agency funds, to include the use of Housing Set Aside funds
• Mediates disputes over the interpretation of building and zoning codes
• Meets with property owners, contractors, engineers, architects, consultants, subdividers and members of the general public
• Promotes economic development within the community
• Designs and manages programs to promote, expand and retain the business community and a positive city image
• Reviews and monitors the gathering of data and the preparation of applications for grants (state, federal, private foundation)
• Assists in developing departmental budget and capital improvement program
• Supervises the training of departmental personnel
• Prepares reports and recommendations and makes presentations to boards, commissions, the City Council and other agencies
• Coordinates and manages contracts, contract services, and RFP process with consultants
• Assists in the coordination of City responses to mandated planning activities
• Physically inspects work sites and projects as needed, keeps informed of innovations and developments in the field

Education and Experience

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in urban or regional planning, public administration, urban development, architecture or a closely related field; and five years of management-level professional experience in city, county or regional planning work, building inspection and/or economic development including two years in a supervisory capacity. Possession of a Master’s degree in planning or a closely related field is desired.

Licenses / Certifications

Possession of a valid Class "C" Operator’s license issued by the California State Department of Motor Vehicles and a good driving record. Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners is preferred.

Knowledge of

Theory, principles and practices of municipal planning and zoning, redevelopment and Community Development Block Grants in California; purposes, policies and procedures of the City's Planning Environment Commission and other planning boards; current trends in municipal planning; basic principles, principles and practices of real estate acquisition, development, economic development principles and practices, property management and disposition, practices, codes and laws related to the inspection of residential, commercial and industrial buildings; laws, ordinances and regulations governing city planning; familiarity with the regulations governing the use of federal Community Development Block Grant funds and Redevelopment Agency funds, to include the use of Housing Set Aside funds in California; principles of public administration, contract administration, organization, training, supervision, and budgeting; general operations of municipal government; metropolitan transportation planning and programs, computer software, including word processing and spreadsheets in a Windows environment and familiarity with GIS software, such as ArcView or ArcGIS; long-range planning needs; report preparation, research and statistical methods.

Skills & Abilities to

Assist in managing, supervising, directing, and training departmental personnel, and taking effective personnel action; coordinate planning activities with other departments and agencies; collect, tabulate, organize and present economic, environmental, demographic and other facts and statistics; organize, conduct and present major planning research studies; analyze data and evaluate facts; communicate effectively orally and in writing; apply applicable laws and regulations to planning projects; provide training and project guidance to other planning employees; promote and enforce safe work practices; assist in the preparation of operating budgets and the control of expenditures; inspire excellence and high levels of performance from staff members; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted during the course of work.

Physical and Mental Demands

Ability to read, write, keyboard, operate equipment requiring finger dexterity, such as computer, calculator and desk equipment; drive city vehicles; be at work daily and on time; communicate orally one-to-one, in small and large groups; walk for an extended period of time or on uneven surfaces when conducting physical inspections; and see and hear within normal ranges.

The benefits package associated with regular full-time positions includes:

• Retirement Formula - The City participates in the CalPERS retirement system 2% at 55 for "classic" CalPERS members and 2% at 62 for "new" CalPERS members 2. The City does not participate in Social Security
• Generous Leave Programs - 13 paid holidays; sick leave; and two weeks annual vacation (three weeks after three years, four weeks after 15 years)
• Health Insurance - Cafeteria benefit plan includes medical and dental options (City participates in the CalPERS medical insurance plans). Employee cafeteria allowance for single employee only coverage is $1,359.02 per month; for employee +1 eligible dependent coverage is $1,640.00; and for employee + 2 or more eligible dependents coverage is $1,900.00. City paid life insurance, long-term disability and vision insurance for the employee.
• Other Benefits: Longevity pay beginning at the completion of 9 years of qualified service; career medical retiree benefit programs

1.Benefits package information is based on current benefit information and subject to change, based on labor agreements; federal, state and/or local laws or resolutions.

2.For qualified public employees who are "classic" CalPERS members and City employees with membership into CalPERS prior to 1/1/2013 enrollment will be into the 2% at 55 formula. Pension benefits for employees hired on or after 1/1/2013 and are "new" CalPERS members are subject to the Public Employees Pension Reform Act provisions and will be enrolled into the 2% at 62 formula.

Selection Procedure

All properly submitted applications will be reviewed and evaluated. Those candidates appearing to have the best qualifications for the position will be invited to participate in the examination process which may require any combination of the following: a written examination, a performance examination, and one or more oral interviews. Not all applicants may be tested or interviewed.

Important Information

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

City employees are paid on a bi-weekly basis, therefore, published monthly salary is for illustration purposes only, rounded to whole dollars. Actual salary is based on hourly rate rounded to four decimal places.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: The City of Lakewood does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability status, gender expression, gender identity, transgender, or other protected class in its employment actions, decisions, policies and practices.

ACCESSIBILITY AND ACCOMMODATIONS: The City of Lakewood is committed to providing equal access to employment opportunities. If you need assistance or would like to request a reasonable accommodation during any part of the selection process, including assessments and interviews, please contact [e-mail] or call 562-866-9771 ext. 2210. Requests are encouraged as early as possible to allow time for coordination.

IMMIGRATION REFORM & CONTROL ACT OF 1986: In compliance with the Act, all new employees must verify their identity and entitlement to work in the United States by providing required documentation.

FINGERPRINTING: Applicants who are selected for hire are fingerprinted during the pre-placement processing period. All fingerprints will be processed with the Department of Justice to verify criminal records or absence thereof.

RESTRICTIONS ON NEPOTISM: The employment of relatives can create undesirable results, particularly in connection with performance evaluation, discipline, and general morale of other workers. Therefore, it is the city's policy that no relative of any City officer or employee to which this resolution applies shall be employed, if said City officer or employee is in a supervisory, lead or subordinate position over said relative in the areas of hiring, setting compensation, discipline or termination. "Relatives" for this purpose include son, daughter, mother, father, brother, brother-in-law, sister, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, mother-in-law, father-in-law, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, stepparent, stepchild, grandparent, grandchild, or persons living in the same household. The City does not prohibit employment of two people who are married to each other or who are the registered domestic partners of each other pursuant to the California Family Code (section 297 et seq.). Nonetheless, the City will not employ spouses or registered domestic partners in the same division or facility in situations where such action is determined to be inappropriate because of reasons of supervision, safety, security or morale.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: Employment offers are conditional, based upon the successful completion of a medical examination which includes drug and alcohol screening for safety-sensitive positions. Physicals are performed by the City's designated physician at the City's expense. Candidates are cautioned not to quit their jobs or give notice to their current employers until they are determined to be medically qualified.

TUBERCULOSIS TESTING: Candidates selected to work in a position requiring contact with children must submit a certificate or notice documenting that within the last two years they have been examined and found to be free of communicable tuberculosis. The certificate or notice must be signed by a licensed examining physician or public health agency.

POSSESSION OF A VALID CALIFORNIA DRIVER'S LICENSE: Employees in classifications requiring possession of a valid California driver's license will be enrolled in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Government Employer Pull Notice program, which confirms possession of a valid driver's license and reflects the driving record.

LOYALTY OATH OR AFFIRMATION: All City employees are required to sign a loyalty oath or affirmation prior to actual employment.

EMERGENCY SERVICE: All City employees are required to perform assigned Emergency Service duties in the event of an emergency or disaster.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Employees appointed to positions in the classified service are required to serve a probationary period of not less than six months. All other employees are considered at-will and serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.