COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Salary : $176,359.92 - $231,399.57 Annually
Location : Signal Hill, CA
Job Type: Full-Time (Exempt)
Job Number: 2025-0009
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 09/16/2025

Position Description
The City of Signal Hill invites applications for the position of Community Development Director

Please click on the link below for more information and view the recruitment brochure.
The City of Signal Hill is seeking a visionary leader to serve as its next Community Development Director. The ideal candidate is a decisive, hands-on leader with a proven record delivering transformative projects-mixed-use and residential (including affordable housing), hotels, and large-scale site redevelopments. They bring deep knowledge of California land use and environmental law (CEQA, General Plan updates) and know how to balance regulatory requirements with strategic growth objectives. Experience with brownfield redevelopment, oil and gas site considerations, and sustainable development will enable the next Director to honor Signal Hill's unique land use history while steering a vibrant, forward-looking future.

The Community Development Director provides leadership and direction across four key functional areas: Planning, Building and Safety, Oil Field Services, and Neighborhood Enhancement/Code Enforcement. Responsibilities include oversight of development review and permitting, uniform building code compliance, oil field inspections and policy, housing programs, zoning enforcement, and neighborhood improvement initiatives.

The Director will be responsible for advancing departmental goals and key performance indicators, including timely permit and plan reviews, proactive code enforcement, successful implementation of General Plan and zoning updates, and effective coordination of sustainability initiatives. A critical part of the role is collaboration with regional, state, and federal agencies, particularly on development, oil field regulation, and environmental review. The successful candidate will bring a forward-looking perspective, balancing day-to-day operational oversight with long-term strategic planning, while fostering innovation, accountability, and community trust. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a results-driven leader to engage developers, build strong public-private partnerships, and lead a talented team in delivering transformative projects that will shape Signal Hill's economic future.

Minimum requirements include any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in urban planning or a closely related field, and seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in municipal planning and community development is required including at least four (4) years in a supervisory capacity. A master's degree in urban planning, public administration, or a related field is desirable.
Compensation and Benefits

The salary range is $176,359.92 - $231,399.57, depending on qualifications, with an excellent benefits package. In addition, there is an approved 3% cost of living adjustment (COLA) scheduled for July 2026.
How to Apply

Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis at Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will be open until filled with a first review of applications beginning October 17, 2025.

Questions
Please direct questions to Serena Wright-Black at and Kelsey Batt at
Retirement - Provided through the Calfornia Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). The City offers "Classic" members 2% @ 60. Classic members will contribute 7% for the 2% @ 60 formula. The City offers PEPRA members 2% @ 62. PEPRA members contribute 7.75%.
Medical - The City participates in the PERS health benefit program and contributes up to $1,200 per month toward medical premiums. An additional $750 is available for individuals with health, dental and/or vision premiums not fully covered with the $1,200. 75% of any monies remaining (of the $1,200) after medical premiums are paid may be applied toward optional benefits including: vision, dental, or deferred compensation plan.
Dental - The City provides $70 per month for dental insurance which is offered through Delta Dental.
Vision - The employee-only premium is paid by the City.
Insurance - The City provides life insurance equal to three times an employee's annual salary, to a maximum of $300,000. Short and Long Term Disability are also provided.
Deferred Compensation - Employees may participate in a deferred compensation program. The City will contribute 4% of a department head's salary upon the employee's contribution of 8% of salary. The City will contribute 3% of a manager's salary upon the employee's contribution of 6%.
Flexible Spending Account - Employees may elect to participate in a "pre-tax dollar" flexible spending account for dependent care and/or unreimbursed medical costs.
Administrative Leave - Sixty-three (63) hours per year and must be used by the last pay period in the calendar year or be forfeited.
Personal Holiday Leave - Thirty-six (36) hours of Personal Holiday Leave and must be used by the last pay period in the calendar year or be forfeited. All new employees receive 3.0 hours of personal leave for each month remaining in the year, including the month they are hired.
Vacation - 96 to 176 vacation hours per year, depending on length of service.
Holidays - 80 paid holiday hours and 36 hours personal holiday leave annually.
Sick Leave - 96 hours of sick leave annually with buyback program in June.
Wellness Reimbursement - Annual reimbursement for health club membership, formal wellness programs and medical/dental co-pays and deductibles. $500 for department heads and $250 for managers.
Social Security - The City participates in Social Security.
Retiree Health Benefits - Based on years of service with the City, a contribution may be made toward the monthly health premium for qualified retirees. Employees contribute 1% of their salary towards their future retiree health benefit.
City of Signal Hill is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws.
AN EEO/ADA/VET Employer.

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