Deputy Community Development Director (20590166)

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS 

1. Collaborate with Senior Leadership: Align departmental goals with organizational priorities, provide regular updates on key initiatives, and support decision-making to ensure the successful execution of community development project  

2. General Plan Implementation: Coordinating cross-departmental efforts, ensuring alignment with community needs, and driving initiatives that support sustainable growth and development  

3. Impactful Problem Solving: Identifying opportunities for improvement, fostering collaboration, and creatively finding solutions that enhance efficiency and contribute to the success of the department’s goals 

DESCRIPTION 

The Organization 

The City is comprised of 9 departments: City Manager, City Attorney, Strategic Communications & Public Affairs, City Clerk, Finance, Community Development, Human Resources, Cultural & Community Services, and Public Works. The City contracts with Ventura County for police services and is served by the Ventura County Fire District. With a FY 24/25 Operating and Capital Improvement Program budget of $271.4 million, and 397 personnel, the City’s services, work ethic, priorities, organizational structure, budget, and culture are motivated by a strong, well recognized and growing collaboration between the staff team and City partners. Through collaboration, the City team and its resources align to achieve extraordinary goals, be responsive to community needs, complete important projects, and deliver exceptional internal and external customer service. In turn, the city thrives by embracing the aspirational values of “service, flexibility, teamwork, performance, innovation, wellness, belonging and growth mindset” for fostering a community that drives positive change and enhances the quality of life for all residents. As described in the Citywide goals for 2024-2025, the City’s focus, practices, policies, programs, culture, values, and ethics are rooted in serving the community. For more information, please visit www.toaks.gov. 

The Position 

The City of Thousand Oaks is seeking an innovative and proactive Deputy Community Development Director – Operations with a forward-thinking perspective who will: 

• Oversee a portion of the Planning Division, code compliance, open space planning, CDBG/housing, and  administrative services. Manages administrative support to the department and establishes methods, procedures, and standards for office services.  

• Manage department-wide special projects and process improvement initiatives, including e-planning and e-permitting through a new land management system implementation,  

• Develops and implements organization development programs, department’s training programs, and coordinates agency personnel related issues, which may include payroll. 

• Develops and administers the operating budget for the department.   

• Supervises management information systems of the department, including, but not limited to, computer and software support, maintaining records and archives, and developing and maintaining a variety of databases.    

• Assist in integrating the City’s vision, goals, and people strategy with the business strategy of the Community Development Department. 

• Direct, plan, and organize Community Development services, programs, budget, and operations.  

• Manage budgeting, resource allocation, and performance metrics to optimize department efficiency and service delivery. 

• Craft and implement department and City objectives, goals, policies, and performance metrics within guidelines established by the City Council and City Manager.  

• Exercise a high degree of judgment and discretion along with political acumen and an understanding of the needs of the business community. 

• Serve as back-up liaison to the Planning Commission.  

• Performs other administrative duties as required to support each division within the department.   

CURRENT PRIORITIES AND INITIATIVES

The Community Development Department is experiencing a high volume of development applications, including residential, commercial, assisted living, and industrial projects. In addition, there is significant interest in downtown revitalization, including mixed-use projects. Some key initiatives on the horizon for the Deputy Community Development Director – Operations include: 

• Assisting with the ongoing implementation of the General Plan 

• Administration of process improvement initiatives, including e-planning and e-permitting  

• Leading staff to be innovative, collaborative, excel in community outreach, promote continuous improvement and continue moving forward in an enthusiastic and professional manner 

• Shaping and positively influencing the Community Development Department environment by supporting a culture of collaboration and project ownership by employees  

• Identification, development and promotion of innovative strategies and technological solutions to maximize service delivery. Working across department lines to promote collaboration in order to improve efficiencies 

• Development and implementation of key performance metrics to measure operational effectiveness, identify areas of success and areas for improvement  

• Planning and executing staffing and operational strategies to provide high quality, cost-effective services to external and internal customers 

• Refining the Land Management System, including coordinating the zoning code update, specific plans, and supporting the implementation of the Housing Element