Deputy Community Development Director

lasvegasnevada.gov; Las Vegas, Northern (NV, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Las Vegas invites applications for the Deputy Community Development Director to assist the director in planning, directing, and overseeing the Community Development Department and its divisions. This role supervises staff and coordinates with other agencies, the public, and city leadership to deliver services in building, planning, and code enforcement.

The ideal candidate leads with integrity, applies codes and policies professionally, and has strong communication skills to build

Qualifications

• Five years of increasingly responsible experience in the area of assignment.
• Experience in a public agency is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required or substitutable with related work experience.

Responsibilities

• Assume management oversight for day-to-day department services and activities.
• Assist the director in planning, staffing, and resource allocation within city policy.
• Directly manage the organization, staffing and operational activities of the assigned divisions.
• Represent the department to other city departments and outside agencies.

Skills

Leadership

Public administration

Regulatory compliance

Building & safety oversight

Staff supervision

Education

Bachelor’s degree in architecture, civil engineering, construction-related field, urban planning, business administration, public administration or related field

Job description

Career Opportunity

The city of Las Vegas invites applications for the Deputy Community Development Directorwith our Community Development Department. The Deputy Community Development Director will assist the director in planning, directing, managing and overseeing the activities and operations of the Community Development Department and its divisions; directly supervise, plan and coordinate the activities and operations of the Department; coordinate assigned activities with other divisions, outside agencies and the general public; and provide highly responsible staff assistance to the Director, Community Development.

Ideal Candidate

This position shall oversee the Building & Safety operations of the Community Development Department and function as the city’s Certified Building Official. The ideal Certified Building Official is a customer-centered, solutions-oriented leader who understands the broader impact of regulatory decisions on development and the community. They are respected in the industry for their technical competence, ability to communicate clearly, and skill in building trust with staff, elected officials, and development partners. This individual leads with integrity, sets clear expectations, and consistently applies codes and policies with professionalism, honesty, and fairness.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives administrative direction from the Director, Community Development, Deputy City Managers, City Manager and City Council. Exercises direct supervision over supervisory, professional, technical and clerical staff.

Selection Process

The selection process will include a review of all applications to identify the most qualified candidates, who will be invited to participate in a hiring interview. Any individual offered employment must successfully complete a pre-employment drug test and all required background checks for the position.

Essential Functions

1. Assume management oversight for the day-to-day operations of department services and activities. Depending on area of assignment, may include administration, building code inspections, plans examination, building permits, planning, zoing, subdivision development, business licensing, business inspections and audits, and code enforcement.
2. Assist the director in establishing, within city policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery and work methods and procedures; allocate resource accordingly.
3. Assist the director in planning, directing and coordinating the department’s work plan through subordinate level supervisors; develop and implement goals, objectives, policies and priorities for each service area; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; meet with management staff to identify and resolve problems.
4. Directly manage the organization, staffing and operational activities of the assigned divisions.
5. Assess and monitor workload, administration and supervisor’s support systems and internal reporting, identify opportunities for improvement.
6. Select professional, technical and support staff and ensure effective morale, productivity and discipline; plan, organize, administer, review and evaluate the activities of staff directly and through subordinate supervisors and managers; encourage and provide for staff training and professional development; interpret city policies and procedures for staff; work with employees to develop short and long term goals, monitor accomplishments, establish performance requirements and personal development targets and provide coaching for performance improvement and development.
7. Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the department budget; approve the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; approve expenditures and implement budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
8. Explain, justify and defend department programs, policies and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
9. Represent the Department to other city departments, elected officials and outside agencies; coordinate department activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
10. Provide staff assistance to the Director, Deputy City Managers and City Manager; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence; provide staff support to assigned boards and commissions.
11. Participate in regional government boards and committees.
12. Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen, public, and business inquiries and complaints; evaluate and approve or disapprove public information requests, requiring subpoenas if necessary.
13. Attend and participate in professional group meetings in the absence of the director; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of building and safety administration.
14. Assist management in conducting briefings with City Council members on projects and reports.
15. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Experience

Five years of increasingly responsible experience in the area of assignment, including two years of administrative and managerial responsibility. Experience in a public agency is preferred.

Training

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in architecture, civil engineering, a construction-related field, urban planning, business administration, public administration or a field related to the essential functions. A combination of formal education and directly related work experience may substitute for the degree. The city assesses 1.5 years of fulltime experience as equivalent to one year of education.

License and Certification

When assigned to Building & Safety

Possession of Certified Building Official (CBO) from the International Code Council on the date of application or within 12 months of appointment, and maintenance thereafter.

When assigned to Planning

Possession of American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) designation on the date of application or within 12 months of appointment, and maintenance thereafter.

Knowledge of

• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Management skills to analyze programs, policies, and operational needs.
• Principles of management and organizational behavior.
• Principles and procedures of financial record keeping and reporting.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Departmental policies and procedures.
• Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.

When Assigned to Building & Safety...

Operations, services and activities of building and safety programs, including building permit issuance, records retention, plans examination and inspection.

Legal aspects of building code administration and enforcement.

When Assigned to Planning...

Operations, services and activities of municipal planning and business licensing programs.

Advanced principles and policies of regional and urban planning and development.

Advanced practices and methods of zoning and subdivision administration.

Municipal licensing codes and regulations.

Advanced principles and practices of urban design.

Current land use planning policies, laws and statutes.

Advanced site planning, landscape design and architectural design techniques, practices and methods.

Information contained in the City Charter and general municipal powers and authority relating to planning, zoning and business licensing.

Ability to

• Plan, organize, direct and review the work of lower level staff.
• Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff.
• Interpret and explain city policies and procedures.
• Resolve problems and disputes.
• Research, analyze and evaluate public service methods and techniques.
• Delegate authority and responsibility.
• Manage and direct the operations, services and activities of the assigned divisions.
• Identify and respond to community and City Council issues, concerns and needs.
• Develop and administer departmental goals, objectives and procedures.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Interpret and apply federal, state and local policies, laws and regulations.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including city officials and the general public.
• Facilitate meetings with stakeholders of diverse viewpoints, resolve issues and build consensus.
• Seek and accept input and assistance from others.
• Empower employees by demonstrating confidence in their ability to be successful.
• Support creative thinking and problem solving by encouraging feedback.
• Exercise initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.

Competencies

Executive Competencies

Establishing Trust – Noticing, interpreting and anticipating others concerns and feelings; creating opportunities for collaborative, respectful dialogue; showing trust in others first and holding self and others accountable for words and behaviors that build community; using face to face communication as a primary means to build trust within the organization.

Communicating Clarity – Developing and communicating goals in support of the city mission, vision and purpose; clarifying direction of work, roles and expectations for successful attainment of objectives.

Providing Recognition – Identifying and recognizing employees at all levels for their ideas, work and achievements; providing opportunities for both formal and informal recognition within the organization; creating a culture of peer recognition and encouragement.

Reinforcing Organizational Health – Routinely reviewing existing processes, practices and policies to ensure a balance in the ability to work productively and efficiently with employee needs for empowerment and development; changing processes, practices and policies when necessary to achieve the balance; establishing regular professional development time for each employee so they have opportunities to attend classes and other activities to enhance their professional growth; meeting regularly with employees.

Thinking Globally – Finding effective solutions and prioritizing problems using holistic, "big picture" thinking; putting the needs of the broader organization or community ahead of the needs of an individual department or community; developing and analyzing both near and long term impacts of decisions.

Business and Political Acumen – Having expertise in technical, political and budgetary leadership responsibilities; preparing and presenting complex concepts and proposals in a respectful, collaborative, understandable way to build community; comparing competing priorities and agendas looking for ways to establish a win/win solution whenever possible; speaking at community events and to the media to enhance the city’s reputation and standing with the broader community.

Community Engagement – Identifying and working with different communities, whether internal, external or both, to achieve city mission, vision and purpose; including groups of stakeholders in decisions that affect them, directly or indirectly, whenever possible to do so; acting on decisions and strategies developed through community engagement.