Director of Development Services

Salary : $152,963.20 - $185,910.40 Annually
Location : City of Merced, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 1404
Department: Development Services
Opening Date: 05/15/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Description


Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
Under administrative direction, oversee, direct, plan, and manage the activities and operations of the Development Services Department including Planning, Inspection Services and housing programs, services, and activities; represent the City Council policies and programs; coordinate assigned activities with other departments and other agencies; and provide highly responsible and complex administrative support for the City Manager; and do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the top-level management classification that has responsibility for managing and directing the Development Services functions, including Planning and One-Stop Permitting, Housing and Inspection Services.

REPORTS TO
City Manager or designee.

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED
Staff assigned to the Development Services Department.

Examples of Duties
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Assume full management responsibility for all Development Services Department activities including planning, inspection services and housing programs.
2. Manage the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, and priorities for each assigned service area; recommend and administer policies; and participate in current and advanced planning functions.
3. Establish, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; and allocate resources accordingly.
4. Assess and monitor work load, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; and direct and implement changes.
5. Plan, direct, and coordinate, through subordinate level staff, the Development Services Department's work plan; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; and meet with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
6. Select, train, motivate, and evaluate assigned personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; and implement discipline and termination procedures.
7. Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the department budget; approve the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; and approve expenditures and implement budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
8. Oversee the City's Community Development Block Grant, HOME, First Time Homebuyer, and Housing Rehabilitation programs; prepare HUD Annual Report and amendments.
9. Interpret applicable laws, rules, codes, and regulations; develop and recommend adoption of codes and ordinances, as well as revisions to existing codes and ordinances.
10. Direct and participate in complex regional and joint planning studies; responsible for oversight of the City's development review process; and consult and provide advice on Development Services issues to the City Manager and City Council.
11. Oversee and participate in the maintenance and update of the City's General Plan.
12. Develop neighborhood revitalization programs and creative programs in support of a jobs/housing balance.
13. Provide staff assistance to the City Manager; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence as required by other governmental agencies; and provide advice and support for Department staff.
14. Represent the Development Services Department to other departments, the public, community organizations, elected officials, and outside agencies; coordinate assigned activities with those of other departments, outside agencies and organizations.
15. Explain, justify, and defend department programs, policies, and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
16. Attend and participate in professional group meetings; maintain awareness of new trends and developments in the fields of community/economic development; incorporate new developments as appropriate.
17. Prepare and administer the City's Public Facilities Impact fees and City Planning Application fees, including preparing the Public Facilities Financing Plan and base Planning fees, preparing the annual updates of fees and making determinations of which fees to charge.
18. Serve as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence; and manage assigned committees, including scheduling and chairing the meetings, reviewing and preparing agendas, reports, minutes, and public hearing notices, and assigning work.
19. Oversee and participate on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees.
20. Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
21. Perform related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:
Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive Development Services Department including planning, inspection services, housing and related programs and functional areas.
Advanced principles and practices of land use planning and their application to a variety of planning problems.
Advanced principles and practices of program development and administration.
Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
Legislation related to economic issues.
Short-term and long-term economic trends in local, county, state, and national economy.
Advanced methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
Public housing administration, including rehabilitation and financing.
Contract and grant development and administration.
Purposes and procedures of public planning agencies, boards, and governing bodies.
Research methods and statistical analysis.
Environmental review procedures and impacts from changes in land use.
Graphic illustration and presentation.
Use of computer and computer applications in program and services development and evaluation.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations including laws, regulations, and policies affecting land use, zoning, and housing.

Ability to:
Manage and direct a comprehensive Development Services Department.
Provide highly complex and responsible staff support to the Planning Commission, the City Council, and other boards, commissions, and committees as assigned.
Develop and administer departmental goals, objectives, and procedures.
Analyze and assess programs, policies, and operational needs and make appropriate adjustments.
Identify and respond to sensitive community and organizational issues, concerns, and needs.
Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of lower level staff.
Delegate authority and responsibility.
Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
Read and interpret laws, ordinances, general plan elements, environmental impact statements, maps, and other documents related to community planning and land use.
Collect, analyze, and interpret economic and physical data pertaining to planning and zoning, including the interpretation of maps and plans.
Direct the preparation and prepare a variety of planning studies and reports.
Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and
database applications.
Perform the most complex professional studies and environmental reviews.
Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
Prepare and administer large and complex budgets.
Interpret and apply applicable Federal, State, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education/Training:
A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, landscape architecture, public administration, or a related field. A Master's degree is desirable.
Experience:
Eight years of increasingly responsible experience in planning, community development, or development services including three years of management and administrative responsibility.
License or Certificate:
Possession of an appropriate California Driver License.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential job functions.
Environment : Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with some travel to different sites; incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends and may be required to travel outside City boundaries to attend meetings.
Physical : Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including the use of a computer keyboard; to travel to other locations using various modes of private and commercial transportation; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.
Health and Welfare Benefits

Up to $603.65 per pay period towards the following benefits:

Medical - Choice of Anthem Blue Cross plans

Dental - Choice of Delta Dental plans

Vision - Choice of VSP vision plans

Life - Pays amount equal to one year's salary up to $50,000

Disability - Choice of Long Term Disability coverage
Vacation

Years 1-3 earn vacation at rate of 3.696 hours per pay period up to maximum of 192 hours

Years 4-7 earn vacation at rate of 4.616 hours per pay period up to maximum of 240 hours

Years 8-20 earn vacation at rate of 6.160 hours per pay period up to maximum of 320 hours
Years 16-20 earn vacation at a rate of 6.928 hours per pay period up to a maximum of 360 hours

Years 21-25 earn vacation at rate of 7.696 hours per pay period up to maximum of 400 hours

Years 26+ earn vacation at rate of 9.232 hours per pay period up to maximum of 480 hours
Sick Leave

Sick leave is earned at rate of 3.696 hours per pay period up to maximum of 1056 hours
Administrative Leave

10 days per calendar year (prorated first year based on date of hire)
Holidays

12 paid holidays
Vehicle Allowance

Employees required to use personal vehicle for City business shall receive a monthly vehicle allowance in lieu of using a City-provided vehicle.
Retirement

CalPERS Retirement at either 2% at 60 or 2% at 62 for Miscellaneous employees and CalPERS Retirement at either 3% at 55 or 2.7% at 57 for Public Safety employees depending on previous CalPERS or reciprocal employment.

ICMA-RC 457 Deferred Compensation Plan available.

Other
Merced School Employees Federal Credit Union membership.
"Healthy Life, Wealthy Life" Wellness Program.