Community Development Director

City of Delano, CA

$163K — $198K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in urban planning, city and regional planning, architecture, public administration, or a related field required
  • AICP Certification (American Institute of Certified Planners)
  • Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in urban and municipal planning
  • Two to four years of supervisory and management experience
  • Strong understanding of California Uniform Building Codes and city planning regulations

Responsibilities

  • Assist in developing City goals and priorities
  • Establish and manage departmental programs
  • Oversee and evaluate departmental efficiency
  • Participate in employee selection and ensure training
  • Provide technical support to the City Manager and other department heads
  • Research and develop budget suggestions
  • Plan and implement the City’s General Plan

Benefits

  • 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision benefits for employees and dependents
  • City pension with 100% employer-paid contributions for classic members
  • Longevity pay increases ranging from 4% to 10% based on years of service
  • Technology pay and bilingual pay offered monthly
  • Generous vacation, sick leave, and administrative leave accruals
  • Fourteen paid holidays annually
Full Job Description
Salary : $13,595.00 - $16,525.00 Monthly
Location : 140 W 11th Ave, Delano
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Community Development Department
Opening Date: 08/04/2026
Closing Date: 9/4/2026 5:30 PM Pacific

Job Purpose
To be considered for this position, please attach the following to your application:
  • D.M.V. printout (Not older than 3 months)
  • Bachelor's Degree (in urban planning, city and regional planning, architecture, public administration, or related field required.)
  • American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification
  • Resume
  • Letter of Interest
  • 5 Professional References
Under direction, plans, organizes and directs the activities of the Community Development Department that provides current and advance planning; plan checking, building inspection, and code enforcement services.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Disclaimer- This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. Some incumbents may not perform all the duties listed. In other cases, related duties may also be assigned. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Assists in the development of City goals, objectives, and priorities for the City.
  • Establishes departmental programs consistent with and supportive of these goals, objectives, and priorities.
  • Plans, organizes, and directs departmental programs.
  • Oversees and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the department's programs.
  • Participates in the selection and assignment of department employees and provides for the supervision and training of all personnel.
  • Assigns directs, evaluates, rewards, and disciplines those employees directly supervised in accordance with City policy.
  • Assures that department employees are instructed in job safe practices.
  • Researches and develops suggested changes to the department budgets.
  • Prepares City Council agenda items for review and approval by the City Manager.
  • Negotiates with outside entities concerning the establishment of approved contractual relationships with the City concerning those matters under department cognizance.
  • Administers these and other City contracts that relate to and are within the scope of department responsibilities.
  • Authorizes purchase of departmental materials and equipment.
  • Provides professional staff assistance, technical support, and advice to the City Manager and other department heads.
  • Drafts correspondence in response to public inquiries; monitors department program activities for compliance.
  • Prepares staff analysis and reports on various projects and programs.
  • Presents analysis in both oral and written form through Council and other public presentations
  • Plans, organizes, directs and coordinates all the activities of the Community Development Department.
  • Conducts studies relevant to department & divisional programs and activities.
  • Prepares recommendations relating to future growth and development.
  • Works closely with the City Manager, City Council, and serves as staff to the Planning Commission.
  • Meets with developers and business owners planning projects in the City.
  • Prepares, implements and administers the City's General Plan.
  • Administers contracts for general plan update.
  • Prepares staff reports and makes recommendations relating to future growth and development.
  • Investigates and makes reports on subdivision plans, zone variances, conditional use permit, and processing of zoning applications.
  • Performs a variety of other duties as assigned.

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 planning, and the physical social and economic implications involved in planning.
  • Research methods, including statistical analysis, governmental organizations, and public utilities systems as related to planning.
  • California Uniform Building Codes and regulations pertaining to construction and code enforcement.
  • Urban planning processes, building design, and construction management.
  • Advanced principles of municipal budget preparation and administration.
  • Supervisory principles and practices as they relate to the public sector.
Skilled in:
  • Preparing graphic presentations and technical reports.
  • Accurately collecting and effectively utilizing data.
  • Preparing, revising and interpreting a sound planning and zoning programs.
  • Understanding land use planning, building and real estate development.
  • Providing skilled analytical and management staff support to the City Manager.
  • Conducting complex planning and development studies evaluating alternatives and making effective recommendations.
  • Reading, interpreting, and applying complex procedures, policies, rules and regulations.
  • Negotiating and representing City interests.
  • Preparing clear, accurate, and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
  • Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
  • Communicating with employees, the public, and representatives of other agencies.
Ability to:
  • Communicate effectively verbally and in writing
  • Operate a PC and related software
  • Maintain effective working relationships
  • Devise, install and maintain comprehensive planning, building and code enforcement systems, and train subordinates in their implementation.
  • Plan, organize and direct the activities of several units engaged in a variety of planning, building, and City development services.
  • Devise and operate effective internal auditing procedures.
  • Oversee comprehensive planning, building, and City development programs.
  • Organize, assign, direct, review and evaluate the work of staff.
  • Represent the City in meetings with representative of public and private organizations and the public.
  • Be consistent in meeting employment obligations by reporting on time and working full workdays and workweeks, as assigned.

Education and/or Experience

Anycombination of education and experience that demonstrates possession of the requisite knowledge, skill and abilities. A typical way to obtain these would be:

  • Bachelor's Degree in urban planning, city and regional planning, architecture, public administration, or a related field, required.
  • Master's Degree in one of the above fields, preferred
  • American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification.
  • Five (5) to seven (7) years of increasingly responsible experience in urban planning, city and regional planning, or municipal planning.
  • Two (2) to four (4) years of supervisory and management experience.

Selection Process:

Candidates with the most relevant qualifications will be invited to participate in the interview and testing processes. Reference checks, Live Scan, background investigations, and pre-employment physicals including drug testing are part of the employment process.
Approved 3% Wage increase FY 26/27
• Approved 2% Wage increase FY 27/28

• City Pension:
o Classic Members Employer pays 100% of employee contributions for a 2% @ 58 benefit.
o PEPRA New Members pay 9% or 50% of normal cost, whichever is greater for a 2% at 62 benefit.
• 100% Employer paid medical, dental, and vision benefits for employees and their dependents
• Employer pays employee portion of FICA and Medicare
• Life Insurance and AD&D provided at one times the employee's annual salary up to a maximum amount of $150,000 with employee option to purchase additional supplemental life insurance
• Longevity Pay:
o 4% after 5 years of service
o 6% after 10 years of service
o 8% after 15 years of service
o 10% after 20 + years of service
• Bilingual Pay - $100 per month
• Technology Pay - $100 per month
• Vacation Leave Accrual: Bi-weekly hrs Annual Hours
o 0-5 years 3.69 96
o 6 yrs 4 104
o 7 yrs 4.31 112
o 8 yrs 4.62 120
o 9 yrs 4.92 128
o 10 yrs 5.23 136
o 11 yrs 5.54 144
o 12 yrs 5.85 152
o 13 yrs 6.15 160
o 14 yrs 6.46 168
o 15 plus yrs 6.77 176
• Sick Leave Accrual: 3.69 hours bi-weekly, 96 hours annually
• Admin Leave Accrual: 8 hours per month
• 14 paid Holidays

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at City of Delano, CA

More Education, Government & Non-Profit Jobs

Find similar Community Development Director jobs: