Community Development Director

County-of-Lake,-C; California (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on incentive

Relocation reimbursement

ADA accommodations

Job summary

County of Lake seeks a professional to serve as Community Development Director, leading planning, building inspection, code enforcement, and land use functions. The role guides policy, supervises staff, and ensures regulatory compliance while coordinating with Board of Supervisors and community stakeholders.

The Director will develop goals, manage budgets, and represent the department in interagency meetings, disaster response, and public outreach, under the Board's direction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in planning or closely related field.
• Five years of professional planning/land use/environmental management experience.
• At least three years in a supervisory/management role.

Responsibilities

• Assumes full management responsibility for Community Development programs, services, and activities.
• Develops and implements goals, objectives, policies, and procedures; ensures accountability.
• Prepares and administers budgets; manages expenditures and revenues.
• Plans, directs and coordinates department staff and activities; oversees staff performance.

Skills

Public administration

Leadership

Budgeting

Supervision

Planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in planning or related field

Tools

MS Office

Job description

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.

• The Department Head may request aSign on Incentivepayment of 10% of the annual rate of pay to a newly appointed employee not to exceed $10,000.00.
• The hiring incentive will be made in three payments as follows:
  • The first payment of 50% will be made to an employee within the next available pay period following the date of hire.
  • The second payment of 25% will be made within the next payroll following the 12th month of employment.
  • The third payment of 25% will be made within the next payroll following two (2) years of employment.

Relocation Reimbursement Benefit

The candidate may be eligible for reimbursement of relocation expenses up to a maximum of $3,500. Employees are advised that relocation reimbursement is considered a taxable fringe benefit and may be subject to applicable taxes.

This recruitment is open continuously.

The first review of applications will be done on September 14, 2026.

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.

This is not exhaustive of all job responsibilities. For more details, please refer to the link provided below.

To view the complete job description visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lakecountyca/classspecs

The information presented in job postings, job descriptions, or recruitment materials does not form a legally binding contract, either explicit or implicit. Benefits may differ among different employee groups. The details provided in these materials are subject to change or cancellation without prior notification. Prospective employees of the County of Lake must undergo the County's pre-employment medical review program upon receiving a conditional job offer before assuming their position with the County.

Applicants may substitute relevant experience and/or education at a 2 to 1 ratio to fulfill minimum qualifications. For further details, individuals should reach out to the Human Resources department.

ADA Accommodations

Individuals in need of accommodation during the application and/or selection process under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should reach out to County of Lake Human Resources at [phone].

The County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer

Veteran's Preference

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.

WORKING CONDITIONS, ADA, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

The County of Lake is an equal opportunity employer and will comply with its obligations under the law to provide equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Incumbents generally work in a typical office environment with adequate light and temperature. There may be occasional exposure to extreme temperatures, loud noise, fumes, noxious odors, dust, mist, gases, and poor ventilation; underground, confined, or restricted workspaces; and heights more than five stories above ground level. Incumbents may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Positions in this class typically require: sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

Positions in this class may require local and statewide travel as necessary.

A successful candidate will be required to submit to and pass a background check prior to the appointment. Depending upon the position and/or assigned department, the background check may include but is not limited to civil and criminal history check, reference check, Live Scan, and/or credit check (as allowed under state law).

Disaster Service Workers: As members of the County of Lake Emergency Services Organization, all County of Lake employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to perform certain emergency services at the direction of the department/county.

The contents of this class specification shall not be construed to constitute any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee, nor shall it constitute a contract of employment. The County of Lake assumes no responsibility beyond the general accuracy of the document, nor does it assume responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information contained herein. The contents of this specification may be modified or revoked without notice. Terms and conditions of employment are determined through a “meet and confer” process and are subject to the Memorandum of Understanding currently in effect.