JOB DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, assists in supervising and directing the daily activities of the Community Development Department; performs complex technical planning work and prepares advanced planning studies and reports; performs related duties as required.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assists the department Director in supervising, directing and evaluating the work of departmental personnel and activities
• Coordinates major studies and research
• Plans and develops methods to implement the City's General Plan
• Leads and trains departmental personnel in research and studies of various General Plan elements
• Manages the preparation of detailed design studies to maximize utilization of land and resources
• Coordinates the preparation of environmental impact reports
• Conducts architectural design reviews and makes recommendations to fulfill planning requirements and zoning codes
• Provides liaison with developers in subdivision, new construction, rehabilitation and redevelopment projects
• Prepares redevelopment plans, reports, budgets agreements, ordinances, hearing notices;
• Supervises building activities to ensure customer friendly, effective and timely permit processing
• Monitors planning and building fee structures to ensure that they adequately off-set costs
• Supervises the use of federal Community Development Block Grant funds and Redevelopment Agency funds, to include the use of Housing Set Aside funds
• Mediates disputes over the interpretation of building and zoning codes
• Meets with property owners, contractors, engineers, architects, consultants, subdividers and members of the general public
• Promotes economic development within the community
• Designs and manages programs to promote, expand and retain the business community and a positive city image
• Reviews and monitors the gathering of data and the preparation of applications for grants (state, federal, private foundation)
• Assists in developing departmental budget and capital improvement program
• Supervises the training of departmental personnel
• Prepares reports and recommendations and makes presentations to boards, commissions, the City Council and other agencies
• Coordinates and manages contracts, contract services, and RFP process with consultants
• Assists in the coordination of City responses to mandated planning activities
• Physically inspects work sites and projects as needed, keeps informed of innovations and developments in the field

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of: Theory, principles and practices of municipal planning and zoning, redevelopment and Community Development Block Grants in California; purposes, policies and procedures of the City's Planning Environment Commission and other planning boards; current trends in municipal planning; basic principles, principles and practices of real estate acquisition, development, economic development principles and practices, property management and disposition, practices, codes and laws related to the inspection of residential, commercial and industrial buildings; laws, ordinances and regulations governing city planning; familiarity with the regulations governing the use of federal Community Development Block Grant funds and Redevelopment Agency funds, to include the use of Housing Set Aside funds in California; principles of public administration, contract administration, organization, training, supervision, and budgeting; general operations of municipal government; metropolitan transportation planning and programs, computer software, including word processing and spreadsheets in a Windows environment and familiarity with GIS software, such as ArcView or ArcGIS; long-range planning needs; report preparation, research and statistical methods.

Skills & Abilities to: Assist in managing, supervising, directing, and training departmental personnel, and taking effective personnel action; coordinate planning activities with other departments and agencies; collect, tabulate, organize and present economic, environmental, demographic and other facts and statistics; organize, conduct and present major planning research studies; analyze data and evaluate facts; communicate effectively orally and in writing; apply applicable laws and regulations to planning projects; provide training and project guidance to other planning employees; promote and enforce safe work practices; assist in the preparation of operating budgets and the control of expenditures; inspire excellence and high levels of performance from staff members; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted during the course of work.

Physical and Mental Demands: Ability to read, write, keyboard, operate equipment requiring finger dexterity, such as computer, calculator and desk equipment; drive city vehicles; be at work daily and on time; communicate orally one-to-one, in small and large groups; walk for an extended period of time or on uneven surfaces when conducting physical inspections; and see and hear within normal ranges.

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in urban or regional planning, public administration, urban development, architecture or a closely related field; and five years of management-level professional experience in city, county or regional planning work, building inspection and/or economic development including two years in a supervisory capacity. Possession of a Master's degree in planning or a closely related field is desired.

Licenses/Certifications: Possession of a valid Class “C” Operator's license issued by the California State Department of Motor Vehicles and a good driving record are required. Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners is preferred.

APPLY BY: Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. (PST), Candidates interested in this position must submit a completed city application on or before the filing deadline to receive consideration for this position. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of city application. For more information and to apply online go to www.lakewoodca.org/jobs

BENEFITS

Please see job flyer for benefit information at www.lakewoodca.gov/jobs