Director of Community Development

Director of Community Development Job Flyer

Application Deadline: September 4, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

The City of West Sacramento seeks a visionary and forward-thinking Director of Community Development who embraces growth, innovation, and public service excellence. This executive leader will champion a culture that is solutions-oriented, collaborative, and accountable while guiding one of the City's most dynamic departments through a period of continued growth and opportunity. 

The ideal candidate is a strategic leader who understands that community development is about more than regulations and processes—it is about shaping the future of a community. They will inspire staff, build strong partnerships, and foster a culture where employees are empowered to grow, innovate, and continuously improve. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong growth mindset, balancing thoughtful planning with a willingness to challenge conventional approaches and pursue new opportunities. They will be comfortable navigating complex issues, making difficult decisions, and standing firm in their professional convictions when necessary, while maintaining a commitment to collaboration, transparency, and exceptional customer service.

This leader will align departmental priorities with the City's vision of responsible growth, economic vitality, housing opportunity, environmental stewardship, and organizational excellence. They will understand the importance of creating an environment where development can occur efficiently and predictably while preserving the community values that make West Sacramento a unique place to live, work, and invest. 

Most importantly, the next Director will be a trusted leader who develops people, builds high-performing teams, and demonstrates the courage, integrity, and resilience required to lead through change.

The City of West Sacramento is seeking a collaborative, forward-thinking leader who is passionate about building strong teams and helping the community thrive. The ideal candidate will be:

• A strategic thinker who embraces innovation, continuous improvement, and responsible growth.
• A supportive leader who develops employees, builds trust, and fosters a positive, high-performing team culture.
• A confident decision-maker who is willing to make difficult decisions and stand by what is right, even when it is challenging.
• A strong communicator who can effectively work with elected officials, staff, residents, developers, and community partners.
• A problem-solver who balances excellent customer service with sound regulatory and planning principles.
• A leader who understands the importance of housing, economic development, sustainability, and community investment in shaping a vibrant and successful city.
• Committed to aligning departmental efforts with the City's vision, strategic priorities, and commitment to being a city of growth and opportunity.
  

The successful candidate will combine integrity, courage, and emotional intelligence with a genuine commitment to public service, organizational excellence, and the long-term success of West Sacramento.

DEFINITION:  Under direction of the  Assistant City Manager - Community Services, organizes, coordinates and directs the functions of the Community Development Department.   The Director of Community Development is an at-will position that is appointed by and sits at the pleasure of the City Manager.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:  Receives direction from the Assistant City Manager - Community Services.   Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical, administrative and supervisory staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:  This is a single, department head level position.  The incumbent reports to the City Manager and has responsibility for providing daily supervision to department staff.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  (Illustrative Only):  Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
 

• Plans, organizes, assigns and directs the activities, operations, projects, and programs of the Community Development Department, including, but not limited to Development Services, Code Enforcement, Planning, Environmental Services & Sustainability, and Building.
• Establishes, implements and evaluates departmental goals, priorities, procedures and policies.
• Provides staff assistance to the City Manager, Assistant City Manager - Community Services, City Council, commissions and committees.
• Represents the City and the Community Development Department to outside groups and organizations.
• Coordinates department activities with those of other departments and outside agencies.
• Directs the preparation, justification and administration of the department budget and work plan.
• Directs the selection, development, evaluation and discipline of department staff.
• Prepares or directs the preparation of reports, memoranda, correspondence, studies, research and special projects.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:  Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and skill.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skill would be:
 
Education:   A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major in business, finance, urban planning, public administration or related field.
 
Experience:   Ten (10) years of increasingly responsible professional and high-level management experience in planning, finance, redevelopment, housing or economic development, including three (3) years of supervisory experience.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES:  Possession of a valid California driver’s license.WORKING CONDITIONS:  Serves as staff to City Council, boards and commissions and will be required to attend off-hour meetings.
 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  Mobility to work in a standard office environment, use standard office equipment and attend off-site meetings.  On an intermittent basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat, twist, and reach while performing office duties.  Manual dexterity to use standard office equipment and supplies and to manipulate both single sheets of paper and large document holders (manuals, binders, etc.); vision to read handwritten and printed material and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and by telephone; ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds such as files, manuals, or equipment for distances up to 50 feet.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS:   Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.  Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing department guidelines, policies and procedures.