Director of Community and Economic Development - City Of Carson : Job Details

CONTINUOUSUNTIL FILLEDFirst Review Date: June 26, 2025Position Salary Increase: Effective July 1, 2025, the salary for this position will increase by 4% as part of the scheduled Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)Hourly: $98.15-$125.26Annually: $204,152-260,540Professional Background & Experience

• Extensive municipal experience (minimum 7 years) in economic development, urban planning, and community engagement, with a focus on public administration.

• Proven leadership in managing planning, housing, employment development, successor agency, and CDBG programs.

• Strong policy knowledge in California redevelopment law, zoning regulations, public infrastructure financing, and mixed-income rental projects.

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Economics, Urban Planning, or related fields (Master's degree preferred).

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Directs and implements Community Development Department operations, shaping policies, procedures, work standards, and long-term goals.

• High-Level Representation: Participates as a key member of the City's executive management team, attending City Council, Housing Authority, and Successor Agency meetings while delivering presentations and policy recommendations.

• Budget & Financial Oversight: Leads the Community Development Department budget, monitoring revenues and expenditures, and negotiating financial transactions for the Successor Agency.

• Supervisory & Organizational Management: Oversees department staff, prioritizing work assignments, conducting performance evaluations, and making strategic hiring and disciplinary decisions.

• Community & Business Engagement: Serves as a liaison to external agencies, business organizations, developers, financial institutions, and various civic groups to foster partnerships and economic growth.

• Regulatory Compliance & Policy Development: Maintains procedural compliance for mandated programs while adapting policies to reflect evolving community needs.

• Project Development & Contract Negotiations: Represents the City in contract negotiations with developers, industrial realtors, and funding institutions to drive large-scale development initiatives.

Core Skills & Competencies

• Strategic Vision & Execution: Ability to develop and implement a comprehensive community development strategy aligned with Carson's needs.

• Public Administration Expertise: In-depth knowledge of governmental budgeting, planning, real estate financing, and infrastructure improvements.

• Economic Development Mastery: Skilled in business outreach, site selection, industrial development, and employment expansion.

• Effective Communicator: Comfortable public speaking, writing comprehensive reports, and engaging with various stakeholders.

• Negotiation & Financial Acumen: Expertise in alternative financing structures for mixed-income rental projects and redevelopment strategies.

• Technical & Regulatory Proficiency: Familiarity with computer applications for urban planning, state and federal compliance frameworks, and technical analysis in economic development.

The City of Carson, located in the vibrant South Bay region of Los Angeles County, is a dynamic and thriving community that blends industry, commerce, and culture. With its prime location near the Port of Los Angeles and key transportation corridors, Carson is a hub for economic development and innovation. Residents and businesses enjoy access to top-tier amenities, including public safety services, land use management, parks and recreation, transit options, and human services—all serving a diverse population of over 91,000 residents.

Carson's 19.2 square-mile footprint is rich with 123 acres of parks, a robust recreation system, and key landmarks, such as California State University Dominguez Hills and the Dignity Health Sports Park—a world-class sports venue that will host events for the 2028 Summer Olympics. The Carson Community Center, conveniently located just 10 minutes from Los Angeles World Airports, offers 40,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, making it a hub for local and regional events.

As a General Law City incorporated in 1968, Carson operates under a Council-Manager form of government, where elected officials, including the Mayor and City Council members, work closely with appointed leadership to shape the city's future. The City's commitment to growth, sustainability, and economic opportunity makes this an exciting place for talented professionals to bring their vision and expertise.

We are seeking an innovative and experienced leader to serve as our Director of Community Development, helping drive Carson's continued progress and impact.

Job Summary:Under general direction of the City Manager, plans, implements and evaluates programs which encourage economic development in the City; directs managers and staff within the successor agency, housing authority, business and employment development, and planning; meets with potential investors, developers and businesses to encourage and facilitate business retention and attraction, employment development and investment in the City; serves as liaison with local, State and Federal economic development agencies, and brings various program activities together under a citywide planned and coordinated economic development strategy. This is an unclassified, at-will position.Class Characteristics:Employees in Executive Management classes are responsible for the development and administration of programs designed to address primary areas of City service. The incumbent is expected to exercise independent judgment, wisdom, common sense, and initiative in establishing efficient and effective departmental operations consistent with City Council policies and administrative guidelines established by the City Manager. The incumbent must also function as a member of the City's management team and participate actively in addressing issues of concern to the City, which may or may not have a direct impact on area of specialization.Essential Duties and Responsibilities:(The City reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind related duties and work assignments.)

Plans, directs and implements, Community Development Department operations related, but not limited to, planning, economic development, employment development, housing authority, successor agency, and CDBG and associated programs.

Provides leadership, direction and guidance in Community Development policies, procedures, strategies, work standards, and strategic goals; maintains, updates, and ensures procedural compliance for mandated programs.

Participates as a member of the City's executive management team; attends City Council, Successor Agency, and Housing Authority meetings; makes presentations, provides information, and policy recommendations.

Supervises employees, which includes prioritizing and assigning work, conducting performance evaluations, and making decisions on hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations.

Serves as the senior management staff liaison to various community-based organizations, external agencies, committees, associations, citizens, and/or other interested parties.

Directs the preparation and review of applications, proposals, agreements, plans, staff reports, and other related documentation and correspondence.

Directs the preparation of the Community Development Department budget, monitors revenues and expenditures.

Facilitates, leads, and/or participates in meetings and committees; represents the department and the City at meetings and conferences.

Represents the City in preliminary and final contract negotiations with developers, realtors, and financial institutions for proposed project.

Perform related duties and responsibility as required.

Qualification Guidelines:A typical way to obtain the requisite qualifications to perform the duties of this class is as follows:Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Public Administration, Business Administration, Economics, Urban Planning or related field and seven (7) years of administrative experience in economic or industrial development. A Master's degree in a related field is preferred.Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of community development and its components such as planning, financing, site selection, business outreach and recruitment, existing business expansion and development entitlement assistance, and employment development.
• Principles and practices of property management, the acquisition and disposition of real estate, financing and construction, and public infrastructure improvements.
• Public administration, practices in the planning and implementation of department functions.
• Principles and practices of economic development.
• Governmental accounting, budgeting, and finance principles and practices.
• Administration of staff and activities, either directly or through subordinate supervision.
• Applicable State, Federal and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations, including California redevelopment law.
• Computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.
• Methods of financing buildings, sites and equipment; characteristics of community including planning, zoning, schools, budget, recreational facilities and civic attractions.
• Business periodicals and periodicals relating to industrial, stock market trends and related business matters affecting the growth of the community.
• Site development, architectural plans in conjunction with project development.
• Alternative financing structure for mixed income rental projects.

Skill and/or Ability:

• Develop a community development strategy consistent with the needs of the community.
• Work closely with management, legal counsel, consultants, industrial realtors, Chamber of Commerce and other agencies aimed at achieving the necessary services for industrial projects.
• Work effectively and cooperatively with public and private officials and members of the public.
• Prepare and write comprehensive and concise reports.
• Ability to speak effectively before public groups and respond to questions.
• Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions with abstract and/or concrete variables.
• Operate a personal computer and related software.
• Negotiate Successor Agency financial transactions.
• Plan and organize work to meet schedules and timelines.
• Represent the Agency in preliminary and final contract negotiations.

License and Certificates:Employees in this classification will be enrolled in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Government Employer Pull Notice Program which confirms possession of a valid driver's license and reflects driving record. Physical Demands and Work Environment:Employee accommodations for physical or mental disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Positions in this class normally:

• Require vision (which may be corrected) to read small print.
• Perform work which is primarily sedentary.
• Is subject to inside environmental conditions.
• Will attend periodic evening meetings, work weekends and/or travel to attend meetings.
• Will participate on the City's emergency response team.
• Use a City and/or personal vehicle in the course of employment.

RECRUITMENT PROCESSApplications will be screened and evaluated for relevant training and experience. Only those applicants determined to be among themost qualified may be invited to participate in the selection process which will consist of an oral examination, weighted 100%. Passing the oral examinations does not guarantee an invitation to the selection interview. The Human Resources Department reserves the right to invite the highest scoring candidates to the next phase of the recruitment. Revisions to a testing component during a recruitment process can be made at the discretion of the Human Resources Department, applicants will be notified by email if a revision is made. An eligibility list will be established in accordance with the City's Personnel Rules, Rule VI, Employment List Procedures.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The City of Carson is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and strive to build collaborative teams that reflect the rich diversity of our community.

Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, registered domestic partner status, national origin, ancestry, mental or physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, age (40 and over), military and veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

We are committed to equal opportunity and compliance with all applicable employment laws. Join us and be part of cultivating a workplace that values and celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion!

Accommodation for Applicants with Disabilities:

Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact the City of Carson Human Resources Department at (310) ###-#### at least five (5) business days prior to the scheduled examination date. If you need an accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please reach out to us as early as possible.

APPOINTMENT:Any offer of employment, or acceptance of an employment offer, is contingent upon passing live scan, background check and other tests. All new employees are required to take a loyalty oath.The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained herein may be modified or revoked without notice. All statements made on the job application are subject to investigation and/or verification. Inaccurate and/or false statements will be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligibility list or discharge from employment.IMPORTANT NOTICE: THIS POSITION IS OPENCURRENT CITY OF CARSON EMPLOYEESPlease do not use your City of Carson email address as part of this application. You must indicate a personal email address in order to receive communications and/or notices from Human Resources throughout the recruitment process.#J-18808-Ljbffr