Planning and Building Services Director

Counties; California; On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Counties seeks an experienced Director of Planning and Building Services in California to lead strategy, policy, and operations for the department. You will build consensus among elected officials, staff, developers, and the public while ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.

Reporting to the CEO, you will oversee Planning, Building, Code Enforcement, and Cannabis divisions, steer budget development, and drive organizational performance through thoughtful governance and service

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public administration, geography, architecture, architectural engineering, land use economics or related field.
• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible management experience in city/county urban or regional planning, building inspections, code enforcement, permit processing, and/or development-related activities, with at least three (3) years in a management-level capacity.
• Licenses and certifications such as a valid State Driver’s License; AICP and other building/code certifications are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for Planning, Building, Code Enforcement, and Cannabis divisions.
• Develop and implement departmental policies, strategic initiatives, goals, and organizational objectives with compliance oversight.
• Oversee operations, programs, services, and personnel; promote accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Direct budget development and monitor departmental resources and performance.
• Represent the Department with the Board of Supervisors, County leadership, and external stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Decision-making

Strategic planning

Regulatory navigation

Public service mindset

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Governance

Budget oversight

Education

Bachelor’s degree in urban/regional planning, public administration, geography, architecture, architectural engineering, land use economics

Job description

The ideal candidate is an experienced, strategic, and collaborative leader who is confident navigating complex regulatory and operational environments. They will possess strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills, with the ability to establish priorities, manage competing interests, and promote accountability and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will build effective relationships with elected and administrative officials, department staff, developers, community members, and other stakeholders while providing responsive, professional, and solutions-oriented public service.

Under administrative direction from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Director of Planning and Building Services provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and overall administration of the County’s Planning and Building Services Department. The Director plans, directs, and evaluates departmental operations, programs, services, and personnel and is responsible for departmental policy, strategic planning, budget development, organizational performance, and executive decision-making.

• Provides leadership and strategic direction for the Planning, Building, Code Enforcement, and Cannabis divisions.
• Develops and implements departmental policies, strategic initiatives, goals, and organizational objectives while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Oversees departmental operations, programs, services, and personnel and promotes accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Directs budget development and monitors departmental resources, priorities, and performance.
• Represents the Department with the Board of Supervisors, County leadership, other governmental agencies, community organizations, and the public.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in urban or regional planning, public administration, geography, architecture, architectural engineer, land use economics, or a closely related field

And

Five (5) years of increasingly responsible management experience in city/county urban or regional planning, building inspections, code enforcement, permit processing, and/or development-related activities, including program planning, development, and administration and working with community organizations, with at least three (3) years in a management‑level capacity.

Substitution

A combination of nine (9) years of directly related education, training, and experience performing progressively responsible duties in city/county urban or regional planning, building inspections, code enforcement, permit processing, and/or development‑related activities, including program planning, development, and administration and working with community organizations, with at least three (3) years in a management‑level capacity, that would provide the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to effectively perform the duties of the job.

Graduate level coursework in urban, regional or environmental quality planning or related field may substitute for up to one year of the management‑level experience requirement

Licenses and Certifications

Valid State Driver’s License

American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) (desirable)

Certified Building Official (desirable)

Master Code Professional (desirable)