Community Development Director

Fort Myers Beach; Fort Myers Beach (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid holidays and leave

Job summary

The Town of Fort Myers Beach seeks an experienced Community Development Director to lead planning, zoning, building permitting and floodplain management for our barrier island community.

Reporting to the Town Manager, you will guide permitting, planning, and rebuilding efforts, manage internal and contracted staff, and collaborate with Town Council, residents, businesses, and the development community to ensure sustainable, compliant growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning or related field is required.
• 8+ years in municipal government with planning/zoning/permitting experience.
• 5+ years in a supervisory/management role.
• AICP/CFM certifications and FEMA ICS/NIMS training are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of planners and professional staff.
• Oversee zoning, land use planning, and development review.
• Administer grants, contracts, and post‑disaster rebuilding efforts.
• Prepare budgets, set department priorities, and manage performance.

Skills

Staff leadership

Planning & zoning

Emergency management coordination

Community engagement

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Urban/Regional Planning

Master's Degree preferred

Tools

GIS platforms

Permitting software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position: Community Development Director

Reports to: Town Manager

Emergency Classification: Essential

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Pay Grade: 118

The Town of Fort Myers Beach is seeking an experienced, collaborative Community Development Director to lead planning, zoning, building permitting and inspection, and floodplain management for our barrier island community. Reporting to the Town Manager, the Director leads a team of in-house and contracted professionals, guides the Town's permitting, planning, and rebuilding efforts, and works closely with Town Council, residents, businesses, and the development community. The ideal candidate is a proven people leader who sets clear expectations and develops staff, and who brings deep knowledge of Florida growth management law, the Florida Building Code, FEMA floodplain requirements, and the Community Rating System.

If you are a strategic, hands‑on leader who builds strong teams and wants to shape how a coastal community grows and rebuilds, we encourage you to apply and help guide the future of Fort Myers Beach.

The Town of FMB Offers a Competitive Benefits Package!

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance with low deductibles and annual maximums. The Town covers 100% of employee premiums and 50% of dependent premiums. Benefits include employer‑paid life insurance, short‑ and long‑term disability coverage, gym membership reimbursement and more.
• Work/Life Balance: Employees accrue paid leave monthly, plus sick leave and a birthday benefit annually. The Town observes 14 paid holidays and offers a supportive, team‑oriented environment.
• Retirement Planning: Immediate vesting in a 401(a)/457(b) pension plan with employer contributions.

And More! Join a team that values your well‑being, growth, and future.

Position Summary

The Community Development Director is responsible for overseeing and leading all aspects of community development within the municipal government. This role involves planning, zoning, building permitting and inspection, floodplain management, economic development, and community engagement to support sustainable growth and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors. The Community Development Director collaborates with Town officials, local businesses, developers, and community members to ensure that development aligns with the Town's vision and regulations. The Director provides strategic leadership to a team of internal and contracted professionals, is accountable for building a high‑performing and customer‑focused department and leads the Town's post‑disaster permitting, planning, and rebuilding efforts.

Responsibilities and Reporting During an Emergency Situation

If assigned, employees in this classification will be required to report and carry out duties as directed for the duration of an emergency. Depending on the nature of the emergency, this may require working around the clock for several days on short notice.

As an Essential Emergency Employee, the Community Development Director will serve as part of the Town's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) team during emergency activations.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of community development professionals, including planners, permitting and floodplain staff, administrative staff and contracted building and planning professionals.
• Conduct performance evaluations, provide feedback, and support effective professional development for team members.
• Set clear expectations, delegate effectively, hold staff accountable for results, and build a positive, customer‑focused team culture.
• Develop division supervisory team members; plan for staffing needs and succession.
• Recommend laws, policies, ordinances, resolutions, and regulations to the Town Manager to enhance department efficiency and support growth management initiatives.
• Oversee zoning and land use planning to ensure orderly development while protecting coastal resources.
• Coordinate with other departments and stakeholders to align development efforts with municipal objectives.
• Review existing programs and initiate new initiatives; conduct studies and surveys to support development recommendations.
• Partner with the Public Works & Utilities Department in preparing and updating sanitary sewer, water, storm drainage, and street system maps, databases, and plans.
• Coordinate with Code Compliance (Emergency Services) on referrals and enforcement of land development, building, and construction‑related ordinances.
• Oversee long‑range planning, current planning, GIS, FEMA, CRS (Community Rating System) programs, and special projects.
• Plan, manage, and oversee department projects, such as planning studies, code updates, and resilience initiatives, including scope, schedule, budget, consultants, and deliverables.
• Support Public Works on Town projects from start to finish, providing planning, zoning, floodplain, and permitting guidance and ensuring projects meet regulatory requirements.
• Identify and prioritize grant opportunities that support department and Town priorities, and lead the department's role in grant applications, including technical content, project justification, and planning documentation, in coordination with the Grants Manager.
• Oversee compliance with grant requirements related to planning, environmental review, permitting, and floodplain management throughout the life of the project.
• Coordinate regularly with the Grants Manager on project status, compliance, reporting, and reimbursement; ensure staff provide timely, complete documentation to support drawdowns, progress reports, monitoring visits, and audits.
• Review and approve consultant invoices and change orders for department projects.
• Oversee FEMA, CDBG‑DR, and other disaster recovery and hazard mitigation funding activities related to planning, permitting, and floodplain management.
• Administer contracts for outsourced building, inspection, and planning services; monitor performance, cost, and service levels.
• Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations, including zoning, building, and environmental codes, in collaboration with legal counsel and Town officials.
• Address and resolve community concerns related to planning, development, permitting, and zoning, balancing responsive customer service with consistent compliance with Town codes and regulations.
• Lead the creation, update, and administration of the Town's Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code, guiding the Town's growth with a focus on sustainability, tourism, and community needs.
• Analyze department data to identify trends and improve operational effectiveness.
• Prepare and manage department budgets, maintain fiscal accountability, and establish internal controls.
• Develop and implement departmental procedures.
• Attend Town Manager leadership meetings; facilitate internal staff meetings to promote communication and teamwork.
• Prepare agenda materials and participate in and present at Town Council meetings, public hearings, and other board sessions as needed.
• Maintain effective relationships with outside agencies, consultants, the development industry, and the general public.
• Implement and maintain electronic tracking systems; manage department web content for public and internal use.
• Administer floodplain regulations to ensure consistency with Federal requirements, and maintain or improve the Town's CRS classification.
• Lead post‑disaster permitting and rebuilding, including substantial damage and substantial improvement determinations under the NFIP.
• Serve as liaison to local, county, state, and federal building and development agencies.
• Prepare and submit operational reports and strategic plan updates.
• Represent the Town at assigned meetings and public events.
• Participate in emergency response operations as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job‑related duties as required.)

REQUIREMENTS

Education, Certification, and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Urban or Regional Planning, Public Administration, Business, Engineering, or a related field required; Master's Degree highly preferred.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in municipal government including community development, urban planning, zoning, or permitting, in addition to minimum of five (5) years in a supervisory or management role leading multidisciplinary staff.
• Experience working in a coastal community or FEMA‑designated floodplain is strongly preferred.
• Experience leading post‑disaster recovery and rebuilding, including damage assessment, substantial damage determinations, and coordination with FEMA and state recovery agencies, is preferred.
• Experience managing grant‑funded projects and contracted professional services is preferred.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification and Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) certification preferred.
• FEMA Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) Training: IS‑100, IS‑200, IS‑700, and IS‑800 (current versions) required within six (6) months of employment; ICS‑300 and ICS‑400 required within twelve (12) months of employment. Additional FEMA and emergency management training, including Emergency Operations Center (EOC) courses, may be assigned as necessary based on the employee's role and Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) assignment.
• Must possess a valid Florida Driver License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of

• Modern principles and practices of urban planning, land use management, community development, building codes, and environmental regulations, with a particular emphasis on coastal resource protection.
• Federal and state grant requirements, including the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), as they relate to managing grant‑funded projects.
• Community development codes, zoning ordinances, public management practices, and government operations.
• Florida State Statutes and regulatory frameworks related to building, permitting, licensing, development, and code enforcement.
• Florida growth management law (Chapter 163, F.S.) and the Florida Building Code.
• FEMA regulations, floodplain management, and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
• Public‑sector budgeting and fiscal management.
• OSHA standards, workplace safety, and risk management practices.
• Contract administration and performance management for outsourced professional services.

Skill in

• Leading, coaching, and developing staff; setting expectations, managing performance, and leading teams through organizational change in a collaborative, results‑driven environment.
• Verbal and written communication, including the preparation of technical reports, strategic plans, policies, and public presentations.
• Conflict resolution, negotiation, mediation, and building consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), permitting and land management software, and GIS platforms.
• Project management, including scope, budgeting, scheduling, and oversight of department and grant‑funded projects.

Ability to

• Build and maintain professional, effective working relationships with Town officials, residents, developers, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Transition smoothly between leadership, advisory, and operational roles based on the needs of the Town.
• Interpret and apply complex laws, regulations, and codes to real‑world development projects consistently.
• Exercise independent, sound judgment and handle sensitive or confidential information appropriately.
• Adapt quickly to rapidly changing priorities or emergency situations.
• Foster and promote a culture of excellent customer service and community engagement.
• Analyze data, assess trends, and prepare clear and concise reports for elected officials and the public.
• Communicate complex technical information to non‑technical audiences, including Town Council, committees, and the general public.

Special Condition of Employment

• This employee must be readily available to work irregular schedules immediately before, during, and after a severe weather event or other declared emergency. During such events, the employee may receive assignments from the Town Manager or an individual assigned by the Town Manager. Failure to work assigned shifts may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

Physical Requirements

• Tasks involve some physical effort in standing, bending, stooping, stretching, walking, or moderate lifting (20 pounds); and standard dexterity in the use of fingers, limbs, or body in the operation of office equipment.
• Tasks may involve extended periods of time working at a desk utilizing a keyboard.

Environmental Requirements

• This position requires a combination of office and fieldwork. The Community Development Director must be able to work in various settings, including public meetings, construction and inspection sites, and municipal offices. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for public events or emergencies.

Sensory Requirements

• Task requires sound perception and discrimination.
• Task requires visual perception and discrimination.
• Task requires oral communications ability.

The Town of FMB is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drugfree Workplace

Reasonable Accommodation

Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation during the application, testing, or interview process may contact Human Resources at [phone], [e-mail].

Veterans Preference

The Town of Fort Myers Beach provides Veterans' Preference in employment for eligible veterans, spouses of veterans, and qualifying family members, in accordance with the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs guidelines.

If you require assistance or have questions about this process, please contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].

Employment at the Town of Fort Myers Beach is contingent upon your successful completion of the following:

1. Pre‑employment drug screening, pursuant to the Drug-Free /Alcohol‑Free Employment Policy as outlined in the Town's Employee Handbook adopted by Council effective January 2022.
2. General background verification.