Community Development Director

 CITY OF MCFARLAND  

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

SALARY: $95,000 - $115,000 Annually (Contract) 

OPENING DATE:

CLOSING: Until filled

POSITION SUMMARY:

The City of McFarland seeks a visionary and dynamic Community Development Director to lead a diverse team and oversee the City’s efforts in planning, building, code enforcement, grant writing, grant management and administration, economic development, and public information. Reporting directly to the City Manager, the Director will be responsible for fostering economic growth, ensuring compliance with local and state regulations, managing and administering grant-funded programs and projects, and promoting community engagement through innovative development initiatives.

This is an at-will position tasked with managing a multi-disciplinary team, which includes:

• 1 Senior City Planner
• 1 Building/Code Enforcement Officer
• 1 Community Development Technician
• 1 Communications and Marketing Specialist
• 1 Grant Manager

The ideal candidate will possess excellent leadership skills, technical expertise, and a passion for serving the community while working collaboratively with city officials, stakeholders, grant funding agencies, and residents.

This position is highly public-facing and serves as a key representative of the city while working collaboratively with residents, developers, business owners, community organizations, regional partners, and public agencies. The Director will play a vital role in facilitating business growth and economic development within the community by fostering strong professional relationships, supporting business retention and expansion efforts, pursuing grant funding opportunities, and promoting opportunities for investment throughout the City of McFarland.

The position will work closely with existing businesses to support growth and expansion, assist emerging companies, and help facilitate business transitions and succession planning. The ideal candidate will have the ability to effectively work with businesses at all stages of development, from startup ventures to established organizations; conduct business retention and expansion interviews and surveys; collect, analyze, and interpret business-related data; and oversee grant management processes including compliance monitoring, reporting requirements, reimbursement requests, and coordination with funding agencies. The candidate must also demonstrate the ability to work professionally and collaboratively with the City Council, elected officials, community partners, stakeholders, funding agencies, and members of the public.

Leadership and Oversight

• Manage and direct all aspects of the Community Development Department, including planning, building, code enforcement, housing, grants, and economic development.
• Provide oversight of grant management activities, including grant administration, compliance tracking, reporting, reimbursement requests, and monitoring of grant-funded projects.
• Act as the City’s Public Information Officer, ensuring consistent and transparent communication with the public and media.
• Supervise and mentor department staff, providing clear direction and evaluating performance to ensure quality outcomes.

Policy Development and Administration

• Develop and implement departmental policies, procedures, and objectives.
• Administer and monitor the department’s annual operating budget, ensuring financial efficiency and compliance.
• Direct the preparation and implementation of city-wide plans and policies related to development, housing, zoning, and grant-funded initiatives.

Community and Economic Development

• Build relationships with businesses at all stages of development, conducting retention and expansion interviews to support growth and sustainability.
• Lead efforts to attract and retain businesses by identifying market opportunities and coordinating resources such as workforce training, financing, and business planning.
• Oversee grant applications, grant management, and administration, ensuring alignment with community goals, funding requirements, reporting deadlines, and regulatory compliance.
• Identify and pursue local, state, and federal grant opportunities to support City programs, infrastructure, housing, and economic development initiatives.

Public Engagement and Representation

• Serve as the City’s representative in meetings with the City Council, Planning Commission, funding agencies, and community organizations.
• Facilitate public workshops and community engagement sessions to ensure projects align with residents’ needs and priorities.
• Collaborate with regional partners to advance city initiatives and secure funding opportunities.

Technical and Operational Duties

• Act as the City’s Building Official, overseeing inspections and ensuring adherence to safety standards and codes.
• Prepare and present staff reports, analysis, grant updates, and recommendations to the City Manager, City Council, and other stakeholders.
• Manage contracts for major projects such as General Plan updates and other long-term planning initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Requirements:

• Associate degree in business, public administration, urban planning, political science, economic development, or a related field OR a minimum of three (3) years of practical experience in community development, grant management, economic development, or a related discipline.
• Valid California driver’s license with a good driving record.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English.
• Knowledge of planning, zoning, economic development, and grant management principles.
• Experience working with government agencies, community organizations, local businesses, and grant-funded programs.

Key Competencies:

• Strong work ethic, with the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with political leaders, businesses, funding agencies, and the public.
• Strategic thinker with attention to detail and the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Proven leadership experience in supervising and mentoring teams.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and humid conditions, toxic or caustic chemicals.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

The City of McFarland offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Comprehensive City-paid medical, dental, and vision benefits for the employee and dependents
• Life insurance equal to 1-year base salary with a minimum of $50,000
• Retirement: Deferred Compensation 401(k) – The City of McFarland contributes an additional 10% of an employee's pay each pay period into a 401(k) plan, at no cost to the employee. The City is not a PERS (Public Employees Retirement System) agency
• Supplemental life insurance (Optional)
• Deferred Compensation 457 Plan (Optional)
• AFLAC (Optional)
• 12 days vacation and 12 days sick leave accrued annually
• 12 paid holidays annually
• Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

APPLICATION:

To apply, please complete an online application at City of McFarland Careers Page. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a City employment application. To be considered for this position, please submit a complete employment application and resume.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

The City of McFarland is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), requests for special accommodations during any stage of the examination process should be made in advance to the Human Resources Department.

Leadership and Oversight

• Manage and direct all aspects of the Community Development Department, including planning, building, code enforcement, housing, grants, and economic development.
• Provide oversight of grant management activities, including grant administration, compliance tracking, reporting, reimbursement requests, and monitoring of grant-funded projects.
• Act as the City’s Public Information Officer, ensuring consistent and transparent communication with the public and media.
• Supervise and mentor department staff, providing clear direction and evaluating performance to ensure quality outcomes.

Policy Development and Administration

• Develop and implement departmental policies, procedures, and objectives.
• Administer and monitor the department’s annual operating budget, ensuring financial efficiency and compliance.
• Direct the preparation and implementation of city-wide plans and policies related to development, housing, zoning, and grant-funded initiatives.

Community and Economic Development

• Build relationships with businesses at all stages of development, conducting retention and expansion interviews to support growth and sustainability.
• Lead efforts to attract and retain businesses by identifying market opportunities and coordinating resources such as workforce training, financing, and business planning.
• Oversee grant applications, grant management, and administration, ensuring alignment with community goals, funding requirements, reporting deadlines, and regulatory compliance.
• Identify and pursue local, state, and federal grant opportunities to support City programs, infrastructure, housing, and economic development initiatives.

Public Engagement and Representation

• Serve as the City’s representative in meetings with the City Council, Planning Commission, funding agencies, and community organizations.
• Facilitate public workshops and community engagement sessions to ensure projects align with residents’ needs and priorities.
• Collaborate with regional partners to advance city initiatives and secure funding opportunities.

Technical and Operational Duties

• Act as the City’s Building Official, overseeing inspections and ensuring adherence to safety standards and codes.
• Prepare and present staff reports, analysis, grant updates, and recommendations to the City Manager, City Council, and other stakeholders.
• Manage contracts for major projects such as General Plan updates and other long-term planning initiatives.