DEPUTY COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR (Non-Classified*)

Salary : $191,136.00 - $267,144.00 Annually
Location : City Hall 3900 Main Street, Riverside, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-8152-001
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 08/19/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

The Position
The City of Riverside, Community & Economic Development Department is accepting applications for the position of Deputy Economic & Development Director to fill two (2) vacancies.The eligibility list established may be used to fill the current and/or upcoming vacancies within this classification for up to six (6) months.

Under general direction, the Deputy Community & Economic Development Director will plan and manage the administrative and operational functions of City planning, building, code enforcement, economic development administration, real property services, and successor agency; oversee division and departmental work programs, service delivery systems, internal processes, and coordination of assigned activities with other City Departments and outside agencies; and do related work as required.
*This position is designated as non-classified and is exempt from the classified service. The Incumbent shall be appointed "at-will" and serve at the pleasure of the City Manager.

Work Performed
Typical duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Coordinate community development operations, programs and administrative functions through appropriate organizational and management practices including City planning, building, code enforcement, economic development support activities, real property services, grants and neighborhood engagement and successor agency; recommend, administer and continuously improve policies, procedures and service standards.
• Plan, recommend and direct implementation of departmental operational policies, internal procedures, and interdepartmental coordination practices that support community development, permitting, development review, budgetary, performance, and administration of community and economic development initiatives.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, internal reporting relationships and performance measure; identify opportunities for improvement; direct the implementation of changes.
• Participate in the development and administration of the Department's budget; forecast the need for additional funds for staffing, equipment, materials, supplies, contracts and technology; manage the monitoring of and approval for expenditures; direct the preparation of and implement budgetary adjustments as necessary.
• Coordinate the Community & Economic Development Department's work plan; meet with management staff to identify and resolve problems; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; oversee implementation schedules, internal accountability measures, and cross-divisional process improvements.
• Coordinate Community & Economic Development Department activities with those of other departments and outside agencies, organizations and residents to ensure timely project routing, consistent interpretation of requirements, and effective resolution of operational issues related to planning, building, code enforcement, and development services.
• Conduct a variety of organizational studies, investigations and operational studies; recommend modifications to Community Development programs, policies and procedures as appropriate; analyze workflows, staffing deployment, permit processing practices, and customer service systems to improve efficiency and consistency.
• Serve as an advisor to elected officials and appointed boards, commissions, administrative committees and citizen's committees on community development matters, including operational impacts, policy implementation, service levels, and administrative considerations.
• Oversee the administrative and operational aspects of community and economic development programs, agreements, and related initiatives, including coordination of internal review, tracking of assigned projects, preparation of staff reports, and implementation of approved policies and programs.
• Oversee permitting-related functions in coordination with assigned division managers, including application intake, fee assessment, plan routing, permit issuance, interdepartmental review, inspection coordination, and occupancy-related processes, to support predictable and efficient service delivery.
• Develop, monitor, and report on performance and data metrics, workload indicators, and service outcomes for departmental functions, including permitting, development review, code enforcement, real property services, grants administration, and economic development support activities.
• Negotiate, coordinate, and manage professional service agreements, administrative contracts, consultant scopes of work, and grant- or project-related compliance requirements within assigned areas of responsibility.
• Ensure maintenance of accurate and complete departmental records, permits, agreements, project files, data systems, and administrative documentation related to community development and economic development programs.
• Monitor legislation, regulations, and administrative requirements affecting departmental operations and assigned programs; recommend and implement procedural updates to maintain compliance and improve service delivery.
• Select, supervise, train and evaluate professional, para-professional, technical and administrative support staff; establish performance expectations; support staff development; and promote continuous improvement and customer service excellence.

Qualifications
Education: Equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, public or business administration or a closely related field. A Master's Degree is highly desirable.
Experience: Five years of progressively responsible administrative and supervisory management experience in community development, economic development, urban planning or a closely related field including substantial responsibility for departmental operations, budget administration, process management, and staff supervision.
Selection Process
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION:
1) Completed Employment Application
2) Completed Supplemental Questionnaire

3) Resume and Letter of Interest
FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ON COMPLETING YOUR ON-LINE APPLICATION, CLICK HERE: (Application Guide).
The selection process will begin with an employment application package screening, with the best qualified candidates being invited to participate further in the assessment process. This process may include any combination of written, performance, and oral assessments to evaluate job-related education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Those who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the eligibility list for this classification.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON SCHEDULING ASSESSMENTS:

If you are selected to move forward in the assessment process, you may be required to self-schedule your appointment. You will be notified via email of your status and provided with self-scheduling instructions. Please check your email regularly following the closing date of this recruitment.

NOTE: The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards. Candidates may reapply when there is a posting to establish an eligibility list.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Proof of education listed in your application will be requested at the time of conditional offer. Acceptable documentation consists of transcripts or degree, if applicable, by the accredited U.S. college or university.

Education obtained outside the United States (US) require one of the following options:

1. An equivalency statement from an evaluation company certified by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) at Members - NACES or the Association of International Credential Evaluators Inc. (AICE) at http://aice-eval.org/members/.
2. An advanced-level degree from an accredited US college or university.

All applicants will be notified via e-mail or telephone of their application status and the assessment dates/times/locations after the closing date of this announcement.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.
Benefit Level II includes Senior Management, Management and Professional classifications (Exempt)

The City offers an attractive benefits package, the central provisions of which are as follows:

• Retirement for Classic Members - For employees hired after 1/1/2013 who are CLASSIC MEMBERS of California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12 and have not been separated from service from such agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2.7 % @ age 55; 3-year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 8%. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Retirement for New Members - For employees hired 1/1/2013 or later and who ARE NOT a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12, or those who have been separated from a public agency which contracts with CalPERS or a reciprocal agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2% at age 62; 3 year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 50% of the normal cost. And is subject to change per CalPERS every fiscal year. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Health Insurance - The City offers six health insurance plans and contributes up to $1,734 per month for HMO plans (family coverage).
• Dental Insurance - The City provides three dental insurance plans and contributes up to $85 per month.
• Vision Insurance - The City provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for employees and their dependents that are enrolled in medical coverage.
• Life Insurance - The City provides and pays for term life insurance with accidental death and dismemberment equal to two times the annual salary rounded to the next highest $1,000 (up to $700k) plus AD&D. Additional Life Insurance is available and voluntary for employee and eligible dependents (up to $300k).
• Deferred Compensation - The City will contribute the following amounts per month, with a minimum employee contribution of $12.50 per check:
  
  • Management and Professional Units: $150/month
  • Senior Management Unit: $175/month
• Leave Benefits - Includes vacation leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, and holiday benefits. Please refer to the Fringe Benefits and Salary Plan for specific details.
• Flexible Spending Account - The City offers a Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Plan for optional participation.
• Long Term Disability - The City offers optional enrollment in the Long-Term Disability Plan.
• LegalEase Plan - Optional legal services plan for employees and eligible dependents.
• Critical Illness Plan - Optional critical illness insurance plan for employees and eligible dependents.
• Vacation Accrual - 0-9 yrs. = 144 hrs., 10+ yrs. = 184 hrs.
• Administrative Leave -
  
  • Management and Professional Units: 64 hrs. per fiscal year.
  • Senior Management Unit: 80 hrs. per fiscal year.

For additional benefits information, please visit the following website:

For part-time, benefitted positions the insurance and other benefits (leave accruals, holidays, etc.) are pro-rated based on ½ or ¾ time status.
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Instructions: The information on the application and your responses to the following supplemental questions will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum and/or highly desirable qualifications for the position in which you are applying. Detailed responses must be provided for each question in order to ensure qualifications are properly considered.
(Do not refer to a resume in lieu of completing the supplemental questions).
Employers listed on this questionnaire must also be listed and fully detailed in the work experience section of your application.

• I understand.

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Certification: I understand that I cannot update my application once it has been submitted. Therefore, I have fully completed ALL sections and provided full descriptions of my duties and responsibilities for each employer.

• I understand.

Required Question