Community Development Director
MISSION
The mission of the Community Development Department is to (1) implement the City’s General Plan; (2) conduct planning studies and prepare long-range plans; (3) provide professional residential, commercial, and industrial planning services to City applicants, the Planning Commission, and City Council; (4) conduct plan checks; issue building permits and inspect buildings and other public structures; and (5) assist the Police Department in providing code enforcement services to protect property values and the health, safety, and welfare of the community.
Background
The City of Livingston is seeking an experienced individual to serve as the City’s Community Development Director. The position oversees the Community Development Department and reports to the City Manager. It is an outstanding opportunity for someone seeking a public service position where they can truly make a difference. The Community Development Director is a key member of a dedicated leadership team that is planning and implementing a wide range of improvements to address needs in the community.
The City of Livingston
Livingston was founded in 1871 and incorporated in 1922. Livingston lies in the fertile San Joaquin Valley between Merced and Modesto. Its current population is approximately 14,000. The Valley’s spectacular views forms the backdrop to the community. Like the rest of the valley, it has long, dry summers and mild winters, alternating between fog, rain and sun. Livingston is considered a primary hub of the agriculture community due to its fertile soil.
Agriculture has been Livingston’s primary industry. The grape industry and later Gallo Wineries have achieved worldwide prominence as do the sweet potato and almond industries. Livingston is home to the world headquarters of Foster Farms and has the largest poultry plant in the world within the City Limits.
Livingston is a city on the move and is in a period of transition and transformation due to new residential and commercial development. The community is rapidly becoming a premier ethnically diverse, residential, commercial and industrial center in Merced County and the Central Valley. A new train stop in Merced will bring people and business to the city. It is strategically located along one of California’s major freeway arteries and is just two hours from the San Francisco Bay, the Pacific Coast, and the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains.
The City is in the process of updating its General Plan and EIR, and soon start updating its utility Master Plans. It is also processing a specific plan application for 35 acres of commercial and high density residential. The City is updating its Housing Element and identifying sites to rezone to meet RHNA site inventory requirements. The City will be in the process of updating its development application fee schedule as well as its development impact fees.
GOVERNANCE
Livingston operates as a General Law City, provides for a City-Council manager form of government, which clearly distinguishes the legislative powers of the City Council from the Administrative powers of the City Manager. The City Council has five members, including the Mayor and a Mayor ProTem. The citizens elect council members for four-year, overlapping terms. The Mayor is elected for a two-year term, and the Mayor Pro-Tem is elected by the council members. The City Council has authority to adopt ordinances, resolutions, policies and regulations and establishes policies for the effective and efficient delivery of municipal services to the City. The Council also adopts the annual budget, appoints the City Manager, and establishes goals, objectives, and performance measures for the city government and City Manager. The City Manager oversees the work of all Staff members, consultants, and City departments.
The Position
The Community Development Director is responsible for overseeing, supervising, managing and participating in all activities of the Community Development Department, including short and long range planning, development and administration. The Director will manage and administer processes for relatively large and complex projects and guide and direct staff on processing the more routine applications and inquiries.
The ideal candidate will be a hands-on working manager, a collaborative and team oriented professional, and someone with a heart and passion for making a difference by addressing community needs. The selected candidate should be someone who demonstrates a high level of integrity, is responsive and results oriented, is effective in assisting applicants to successfully navigate application processes, and ensures quality projects while maintaining economic viability.
The Community Development Director will play a critical role in updating and development of the General Plan goals, policies and programs. Address important community issues such as new growth, traffic, community health, social justice, and environmental protection. The General Plan is a pivotal opportunity to shape the future of Livingston.
Qualifications
The City of Livingston is seeking someone who has a strong knowledge and background in all areas of planning. Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities is: Bachelor’s degree in City Urban and Regional Planning, Architecture, Urban Design and Economics or a related field. Five years of increasingly responsible experience in public planning, zoning, permitting, redevelopment and economic development analysis, administration, enforcement and consultation. Master’s degree in Planning and AICP membership is desirable but not required.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- $105,801.86 - $128,602.82 Annually
- Retirement – Classic Members: CalPERS benefit formula 2% at 55. The City will contribute to the employees’ seven percent (7%) payment to PERS. 3% employee contribution/4% employer contribution.
- Retirement –New Members: CalPERS benefit formula of 2% at 62 for Miscellaneous and 2% at 57 for Safety. The City shall not pay any of the required employee contribution for “new members.” The city does not participate in Social Security, except for the mandatory 1.45% Medicare contribution.
- Deferred Compensation: 457 deferred compensation program available.
- Health Insurance: Medical, dental and vision insurance offered to employees and eligible dependents. Various insurance plans are offered, plus the opportunity to contribute to a Flexible Spending Account.
- Vacation Leave: Starting at 80 hours per year.
- Administrative Leave: 110 hours per year.
- Holidays: 12 days per year, plus tw0 floating holidays.
- City Paid Life Insurance, capped at $100,000.
- Sick Leave: 96 hours per year
HOW TO APPLY
- The deadline to apply is Monday, September 11, 2023.
- Employment applications can be downloaded at Employment Application | Livingston CA (cityoflivingston.org) or picked up at City Hall - Monday thru Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm at 1416 C Street Livingston, CA 95334.
- To be considered please submit a City of Livingston employment application, your resume, cover letter, and three professional references, who will not be contacted in the early stages of the process. By email to acruz [at] livingstoncity.com (acruz[at]livingstoncity[dot]com) in person, or by mail to City of Livingston, 1416 C Street Livingston, CA 95334.
- Direct questions to Arcelia Cruz; Human Resources at 209 394-5522 or acruz [at] livingstoncity.com (acruz[at]livingstoncity[dot]com)
- Go to our website Job Openings | Livingston CA (cityoflivingston.org) to learn more about the position.
SELECTION PROCESS
- Qualified applicants will be asked to participate in a panel interview.
- Top candidates will be interviewed by the City Manager, who will make the final selection contingent on background results.
The City of Livingston is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all qualified applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition, disability or sexual orientation.