Development and Operations Manager

Under general direction, plans, organizes, manages and coordinates the Community Development Department's development services functions including customer service, public engagement, processing of applications and issuance of permits; participates in the development of policies and strategies for division operations; acts as a liaison between customers and other City departments and outside agencies; manages the effective use of division resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service; provides complex  professional assistance to the Community Development Director, Assistant Community Development Director, and Deputy Community Development Director in areas of expertise; and performs related duties as assigned.

Leadership and Management

The successful candidate will be an experienced manager who can effectively lead multidisciplinary staff while fostering a collaborative, high-performing work environment. Must demonstrate the ability to:

• Provide clear direction, coaching, and performance management to professional and technical staff
• Promote accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement within the division
• Manage multiple programs, priorities, and projects simultaneously while maintaining high service standards
• Implement organizational goals, policies, and strategic initiatives
• Make sound, timely decisions within a dynamic regulatory environment

Operational and Strategic Expertise

The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of municipal development services operations, including permitting processes, regulatory compliance, and public service delivery. Key strengths include:

• Managing complex operational programs and administrative systems related to development services
• Analyzing workflows and implementing improvements to enhance efficiency, transparency, and service delivery
• Utilizing data, technology, and performance metrics to evaluate workloads and operational effectiveness
• Coordinating with information technology staff to implement digital tools and electronic permitting systems
• Managing consultant contracts, requests for proposals (RFPs), and professional services agreements

Regulatory and Policy Knowledge

The position requires a professional who is comfortable working within a complex regulatory environment and can interpret and apply laws and regulations affecting development services. The ideal candidate will have:

• Knowledge of municipal planning, building, and permitting processes
• Experience interpreting municipal codes, state regulations, and land-use policies
• Familiarity with laws governing public agencies such as public records requirements and open meeting requirements
• The ability to evaluate legislation and regulatory changes and advise leadership on operational impacts

Communication and Public Engagement

This role requires a diplomatic and effective communicator who can build trust with stakeholders and the community. The ideal candidate will:

• Communicate complex regulatory or operational information clearly to diverse audiences
• Prepare and present reports and recommendations to executive leadership, commissions, and elected officials
• Engage constructively with residents, applicants, and community organizations
• Address and resolve sensitive or controversial issues with professionalism and tact

Financial and Administrative Acumen

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong administrative and fiscal management skills, including the ability to:

• Develop and administer divisional budgets
• Monitor expenditures and ensure compliance with budgetary requirements
• Evaluate programs and recommend improvements to enhance operational effectiveness and fiscal responsibility
• Develop performance metrics and reporting systems to track service levels and program outcomes

• Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Development Services Division; ensures timely, efficient, effective and high-quality service delivery of permit processing. 

• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the division; continuously monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods, and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative, and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities and makes recommendations for improvement.

• Coordinates with information technology (IT) personnel to develop and implement technology-based applications for monitoring and evaluating the department’s workload and efficiency; evaluates and implements new electronic and web-based systems and procedures to improve efficiency and enhance customer service.

• Performs a variety of public engagement activities including meeting with community organizations, in-house committees and focus groups, and individual members of the public; investigates and resolves complaints and meets with customers to review status of permit activity as needed.

• Manages the department’s legal noticing and public outreach operations including website, brochures, handouts, forms, statistical performance reports, online databases, and other means to educate members of the public of the department’s performance and procedures.

• Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates, and evaluates personnel; works with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends and implements discipline and termination procedures.

• Develops requests for proposals, scope of work statements, and technical specifications; analyzes proposals and recommends selection; manages work performed by consultants for the department; performs contract administration.

• Reviews, interprets, and analyzes new and proposed legislation; determines effect of legislation on operations and programs of the organization served; advises superiors of findings; takes appropriate action in order to ensure compliance with existing rules and regulations; proposes legislation if appropriate.

• Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of assigned budget; determines funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; ensures compliance with budgeted funding.  

• Serves as a liaison for the department with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces, as necessary; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.

• Develops and reviews staff reports related to permit processing activities and services; presents reports to the City Council and various commissions, committees, and boards.

• Assists in the department’s efforts in responding to public records requests and provides guidance regarding public records, the Public Records Act, the Freedom of Information Act, and the Brown Act.

• Responds to inquiries regarding the Municipal Code and the Local Coastal Program and its applicability to various situations, the building and planning processes in general, the existence and scope of permits and plans in effect on specific properties.

• Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

• Performs related duties as required.

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in planning, environmental science, business or public administration, or a related field.

Experience:

Five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in community development or planning, including two (2) years in a lead or supervisory capacity.

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License and a satisfactory driving record, to be maintained throughout employment.

• Administrative principles, practices, and methods including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, policy and procedure development, quality control, and work standards.

• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.

• Principles and practices of leadership. 

• Principles, practices, and procedures related to processing planning and building permits.

• Principles and practices of records management.

• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility.

• Modern principles and practices, technical and legal issues, and research methods of building code and permit processing and compliance.

• Recent developments, current literature and sources of information related to assigned functional areas.

• Practices of researching related legal and technical issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.

• Principles of contract administration and general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.

• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review, and evaluation and the training of staff in work procedures.

• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.

• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols

• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff. 

• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner. 

• Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.

• Provide administrative, management, and professional leadership for the Development Services Division.

• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.

• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.

• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.

• Making effective public presentations.

• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups and various business, professional, and regulatory organizations and in meetings with individuals.

• Interpret permitting programs for the general public.

• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials.

• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.

• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.

Salary : $131,400 - $171,447