DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

City of Lawndale; Lawndale (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Lawndale is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking Director of Community Development to join the City Manager’s Executive Team. You will guide planning, development and neighborhood-improvement efforts while balancing economic vitality with community needs.

The ideal candidate will work alongside a new City Manager, build strong partnerships with City employees, elected officials, residents and the business community, and lead organizational initiatives with emphasis on public

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, urban planning or related field.
• Master's degree in public administration, urban planning or related field preferable.
• AICP certification preferable.

Responsibilities

• Directs and administers Community Development Department activities including planning, development, housing and redevelopment.
• Oversees budgeting, contracts, grants and external partnerships with City staff and outside agencies.
• Reports to the City Manager and collaborates with Planning Commission, City Council and housing authorities.
• Leads and evaluates department staff; ensures compliance with laws and regulations.

Skills

Public administration know-how

Planning & zoning understanding

Budgeting & finance

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership & supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree in public administration/related field

Master's degree in public administration/urban planning/related field

AICP certification preferable

Job description

JOIN THE CITY OF LAWNDALE’S NEW EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM

The City of Lawndale is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking professional to join the new City Manager’s Executive Team and help shape the City’s next chapter.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Guide the City’s planning, development and neighborhood-improvement efforts. The ideal candidate will be an innovative, solutions-oriented leader who can balance economic vitality, thoughtful development and the needs of the Lawndale community.

This is a unique opportunity to work alongside a new City Manager, influence organization-wide initiatives and build strong partnerships with City employees, elected officials, residents and the business community.

If you are a strategic leader committed to public service, operational excellence and meaningful community impact, we invite you to consider joining the City of Lawndale.

SUMMARY:

Under the direction of supervision of the City Manager, plans, organizes, directs and administers activities and operations of the Community Development Department, current and advance planning, grant administration, building and safety, economic development, housing agency, housing successor agency, successor agency, dissolution of redevelopment, oversight board and related functions; provides administrative assistance to the City Manager; coordinates department activities with other City departments and outside agencies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops plans and implements department goals, objectives, policies and procedures

• Manages operations of the Lawndale Housing Authority, Successor Agency to the Lawndale Redevelopment Agency, Oversight Board, economic development and grant programs, and oversees the City’s zoning code, recommending updates to the City Council when applicable

• Prepares and presents reports to the Planning Commission and to the City Council

• Directs, oversees and participates in the development of the department's work plan

• Assigns activities, projects and programs

• Monitors work flow

• Reviews and evaluates products, methods and procedures

• Directs and oversees redevelopment activities, land acquisition and disposition, financing, marketing and infrastructure improvement, and ensures compliance with environmental laws

• Serves as staff to the housing authority, successor agency and oversight board

• Directs and oversees economic development activities, housing and commercial rehabilitation, business retention and attraction, and related programs

• Directs and oversees grant funded housing programs

• Ensures that funds are administered according to applicable rules and regulations

• Develops and administers the department's budget

• Directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies

• Monitors and approves expenditures and implements adjustments

• Maintains department financial records, expenditures and income

• Prepares consultant requests for proposals and related documents; administers contracts and supervises consultants

• Selects, trains and evaluates personnel

• Interfaces with employees to correct deficiencies and implements discipline and termination procedures

• Directs, coordinates and oversees the activities of Los Angeles County contract staff

• Represents the department to outside groups and organizations

• Participates in outside community, professional groups and committees

• Assists in development of Planning Commission agendas

• Responds to and resolves citizen inquires and complaints

• Negotiates and executes contracts and agreements

• Reviews and interprets applicable government regulations and requirements

• Researches and prepares technical and administrative reports and studies and prepares written correspondence

• Performs a variety of duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of PC's and related software

• Principles and practices of City administration and City department functions

• General public assessment of the City's roles, responsibilities, and commitment to its residents

• Principles and practices of land use and zoning, community development, dissolution, economic development, housing and redevelopment administration and environmental compliance

• State of California community redevelopment law and redevelopment practices

• Local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations, and municipal code

• Principles and practices of organization, administration and personnel management, budget preparation and administration

• HUD Section 8 policies and programs

• Financial and legal analysis of real estate

• Principles and practices of supervision, training and performance evaluation

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing

• Operate a PC and related software

• Maintain effective working relationships with other people

• Explain community development policies and programs and procedures

• Provide vision or facilitate the creation of vision to create projects and public policy and programs

• Problem solve planning and inter- and intra-department issues

• Interpret personnel rules, legal and code requirements and observe and evaluate staff performance

• Plan, direct and control department administration and operations

• Develop and implement department policies and procedures

• Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion and conflict resolution

• Develop, control and administer department budget and expenditures and collaborate on the housing authority and successor agency budgets

• Identify and respond to public, City Council and Planning Commission issues and concerns

• Interpret and apply city, federal, state and local policies, procedures, rules and regulations and municipal codes

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, urban planning or a related field

• Master's degree in public administration, urban planning or a related field, preferable

• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification preferable

• Five (5) years of ever increasing levels of professional and responsible supervisory experience, preferably in the planning and community development environment, experience in dissolution law is also desirable

• Two (2) years experience in a supervisory capacity

• Maintain a valid driver's license in the state of California and certificate of automobile insurance for personal liability