Planning and Building Services Director

California State Association of Counties®; California; On-site; USD 142,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

Mendocino County seeks an experienced Planning and Building Services Director to provide executive leadership, strategic direction, and overall administration of the department. You will plan, direct, and evaluate operations, programs, services, and personnel while shaping policy, budgeting, and performance.

The role requires a strong track record in urban/regional planning with a relevant degree and at least five years of senior management experience; knowledge of regulatory environments and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in urban/regional planning, public administration, geography, or related field.
• Five (5) years of increasing management responsibility in planning/development activities, with at least three years in a leadership role.
• Nine years of related education, training, and experience with at least three years in a management capacity.
• Graduate level coursework may substitute for up to one year of management experience.
• Valid State Driver's License.
• AICP (desirable), Certified Building Official (desirable), Master Code Professional (desirable).

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Decision-making

Strategic thinking

Relationship building

Public service

Education

Bachelor's degree in urban/regional planning or related field

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.

Planning and Building Services Director

Mendocino County

Salary

$141,668 - $172,203 annually

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.
• The position is fully described in the County's Job Specification.

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)