Director of Community Development & Housing (U)

As a future member of our team, you’ll be joining a city with deep roots, cultural diversity, and exciting momentum. Located in the heart of Southern California’s Inland Empire, San Bernardino is the county seat and largest city in San Bernardino County, home to more than 222,000 residents. Its rich history — shaped by Native American, Mexican, and Spanish influences — continues to inspire the city’s evolving identity.

San Bernardino offers access to major transit corridors, natural beauty, and a wide range of housing and lifestyle options. It’s a place where public service careers are supported by a strong sense of community and purpose — and where motivated professionals can grow, contribute, and be part of something meaningful.

Key qualities include:

• Inspirational leadership and team-building skills

• Ability to manage multiple priorities while exercising sound independent judgment 

• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities

• Emotional fortitude, political awareness, and interpersonal skills to build solid staff and business relationships

• Strong analytical, strategic planning, and problem-solving capabilities

• Ability to communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences

• Commitment to transparency, equity, and operational efficiency

• Skilled in building partnerships with internal teams, elected officials, and community stakeholders

Education and Experience:

Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in public or business administration urban planning or closely related field; and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in community development and engineering services, including planning, building, economic development and housing; two (2) years of which in a management capacity; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Licenses, Certifications, and Equipment:

A valid California driver’s license is required. Licensed as a Certified Public Accountant is preferred. 

• Theory, principles, practices and processes of effective executive management, current and advance urban planning, zoning and development. 
• Federal state and local laws, rules and regulations and case law applicable to those dealing with federal and state housing programs, grants, the acquisition, leasing, and sale of property, contracts and eminent domain related issues and other areas of responsibility. 
• Principles, practices, trends, and inspection processes of land use, zoning, building/housing construction, building code compliance, public administration, including budgeting, purchasing, contract administration, risk management/safety, hearing processes and maintenance of public records as they pertain to the responsibilities of the position. 
• Financial procedures and regulations.
• Organization, functions, legal requirements, and practices of the City Council, Planning Commission, Housing Authority, joint powers authorities and other boards, committees, and working groups. 
• Principles and practices of sound business communication, public relations and marketing.
• Market data sources and collection techniques. Research methods and statistical and analytic techniques and applications related to urban growth, homeless services, affordable housing, modern transportation, and asset management, including development analysis of specific projects and other areas of responsibility. 
• City human resources policies and procedures, personnel rules, labor contract provisions, and personnel rules. 
• Technology resources and trends related to the functions of the position and their application to the accomplishment of the mission of the Department. 
• Community development practices and principles.
• Uniform Building and Safety Codes, and principles, practices and local codes and ordinances related to land use, planning, and building and safety construction. 
• Application of geographic information systems (GIS) and online permit systems to analyze, manage, and administer land and economic development programs.

• Planning, organizing, controlling, managing, integrating, and coordinating the work of a complex department providing comprehensive citywide urban planning, building safety programs and services, municipal building code compliance, property management, homeless services, affordable housing and asset management programs and services. 
• Defining complex management, fiscal, budget, master and strategic planning, community development, infrastructure improvement issues, economic development, and property management issues, and performing difficult analyses and research, evaluating alternatives and developing sound conclusions and recommendations 
• Understanding, interpreting, explaining, and applying federal, state, and local policy, law, regulations, court, and case law applicable to areas of responsibility. 
• Evaluating department programs and services and making changes or recommendations for improvement.
• Developing budgets that maximize available resources for optimal outcomes. 
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing to diverse audiences; presenting ideas and concepts persuasively in speaking before groups or in writing for publication. 
• Preparing clear, concise, and comprehensive correspondence, reports, studies, and other written materials. 
• Negotiating, writing, and administering contacts. 
• Exercising tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and complex issues and situations; effectively representing the city in negotiations and other activities on a variety of difficult, complex, sensitive, and confidential issues. 
• Supervising, evaluating, motivating, coaching, mentoring, and developing assigned staff. 
• Dealing constructively with conflict and developing effective resolutions. 
• Maintaining the highest standards of integrity and professional ethics in complex dealings with diverse stakeholders. 
• Analyzing impacts of various functions and projects and prioritize those with the greatest community impact. 
• Capitalizing on existing resources such as the airport, educational institutions, and City and privately owned properties. 
• Developing effective marketing tools to facilitate business retention, expansion, and attraction and housing opportunities.
• Ensuring the maintenance of all required files, records, and documentation. 
• Exercising independent judgment and initiative within established guidelines.
• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships.

Application Process

To be considered for this opportunity, a detailed cover letter and resume must be attached to your application. 

The cover letter must include:

• Your interest in the position
• A summary of your relevant experience
• Any additional qualifications that make you a strong candidate

Incomplete applications or those without a cover letter will not be considered.

Recruitment Timeline

This recruitment will remain open until filled, or until a sufficient number of applications have been received. 

**First review of applications scheduled for the week of August 31, 2026; dates subject to change at the discretion of Human Resources**

All applicants are required to submit an online application through the City’s official website at www.sbcity.org. This recruitment will remain open until filled or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Applications must be fully completed and clearly demonstrate that the minimum qualifications for the position are met. All information provided is subject to review, investigation, and verification. While resumes may be uploaded as supplemental documentation, they will not be accepted in place of a fully completed City application.

Following the initial screening, the most qualified candidates whose backgrounds best match the needs of the City will be invited to continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement. Candidates will remain under consideration until a final selection is made and an offer is accepted. The City of San Bernardino reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time and may determine that none of the applicants, including those who meet the minimum qualifications, are suitable for the position.

Successful candidates shall be required to: 

• Pass a reference and background check including degree verification and/or Credit Check. References will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established. 
• Pass a pre-employment medical exam, which may include a Tuberculosis (TB) Exam, and/or Drug screen. 
  

E-Verify Participation

The City of San Bernardino participates in the E-Verify program. In compliance with federal law, all employers are required to verify the identity and employment eligibility of individuals hired to work in the United States.

Accordingly, the City will provide information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to confirm authorization to work in the United States.

For more information about E-Verify, please visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website at www.uscis.gov

Disclaimers

The City of San Bernardino is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The City follows a nepotism policy, which may impact hiring decisions if an applicant has relatives currently employed by the City.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Each request is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department directly at (909)998-2060. 

This bulletin is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract, expressed or implied. Its contents may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice.

For questions regarding this recruitment, contact Human Resources at (909)998-2060. Additional information is available at www.sbcity.org.