Director of Development Services

The Position and Ideal Candidate

The Development Services Department is responsible for Planning, Building and Safety, Code Enforcement, and Economic Development. The Development Services Department has a City staff of 7 FTEs and contracts for Building and Safety Services and Administration of the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The City has a certified Housing Element and recently updated General Plan. The Department provides support to the Planning Commission, analyzes development applications, provides plan check, permitting and inspections, investigates and resolves citizen inquiries regarding Code compliance, and delivers Economic Development activities to support business attraction and retention. Rancho Santa Margarita’s City leaders take pride in being business friendly. The Development Services Director reports directly to the City Manager, serves as a member of the executive management team, and is responsible for overseeing and guiding the daily functions and long-term vision of the Department.

Overall this position will require an exceptionally strong hands-on director with strong administrative and writing skills. Key to this role is to effectively manage projects and service contracts in a fiscally responsible manner that ensures financial accountability and excellent customer service. Customer service is a critical component to this role. The City strives to deliver outstanding and responsive services to the community. The Director is expected to serve as a role model who embodies the commitment to efficient service delivery and engages the entire organization towards this sense of mission.

The ideal candidate will be proficient in the operations, services and activities of a comprehensive development services department and in establishing efficient and effective departmental operations consistent with City Council policies and administrative guidelines established by the City Manager. This position requires a Bachelor’s degree, or higher, from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, public administration or a related field; four years of increasingly responsible experience, including at least two years of administrative and supervisory responsibility, or any combination of education, experience, and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. A Master’s Degree in Planning or Public Administration is highly desirable.

A positive interpersonal style with the ability to develop and maintain positive work relationships with all city employees and with the community is an additional priority area for this role. The candidate will also have the ability to deal effectively with a sophisticated and engaged City Council. The successful candidate will operate with a high level of ethics and integrity and reflect a value system of coaching and mentorship, collaboration, and commitment to responsive public service.

The Community

Rancho Santa Margarita is a small city with the soul of a village. The City is instilled with traditions that honor the heritage of its land. A mix of land uses and a balance of jobs and housing provide a planned community oasis in which people live, work, shop, and play. Community events and public gathering places promote a family-oriented community and encourage community spirit and participation. The City maintains a safe environment through a variety of community programs, law enforcement, and fire protection services. The City’s investment in public safety has led to the FBI ranking Rancho Santa Margarita as the safest city in Orange County for over ten years running. Additionally, Safewise ranks Rancho Santa Margarita as the safest city in California with a population over 35,000.

As the community looks toward the future, Rancho Santa Margarita will strive to ensure its small-town village character is protected and enhanced by well-designed and well-maintained neighborhoods that complement the natural environment. The quality of environmental, open space, scenic resources and our watershed shall be preserved to enhance the community’s distinct setting and natural beauty. The community offers abundant amenities such as Lago Santa Margarita, parks, pools, and pedestrian/bicycle trails which are operated and maintained by local homeowner associations to meet the needs of the community. The City will continue to promote business-friendly practices to support and encourage a thriving business community.

City Government

Incorporated on January 1, 2000, Rancho Santa Margarita is a general law city with a Council Manager form of government. Four Council Members elected by district and a directly elected Mayor serve as the legislative policy-making body. The City Manager serves as the Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for making policy recommendations to the City Council and implementing them as adopted.

The City operates with a FY 2026/27 budget of approximately $26.2 million and a reserve balance over $25 million. The City currently has 24 full-time employees and several part-time employees for a total FTE of 30.81. Rancho Santa Margarita is primarily a contract city. City Departments include: City Manager (includes City Clerk, PIO, HR and Risk Management), Finance, Community Services, Public Works, and Development Services (includes Planning, Building and Safety, Code Enforcement and Economic Development).

Police services are provided through a contract with the Orange County Sheriff. Fire Protection services are provided through the Orange County Fire Authority. The City also contracts for City Attorney, Building and Safety, street and facility maintenance and IT services. While the City owns no traditional parks, as they are owned and maintained by local homeowner associations, it does operate the local skate park at Canada Vista Park and the splash pad at Central Park.

The Process

This recruitment will remain open until the first review date for applications on November 30, 2026.