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Deputy Director of Community Development
City of Pacifica, California

THE COMMUNITY

Located in San Mateo County, just twelve miles south of San Francisco, Pacifica feels worlds away from it yet is easily accessible from highway 1.  The most panoramic coastal town in the San Francisco Bay Area, Pacifica is famous for its six miles of scenic coastline, classic northern California beaches, breathtaking vistas, and charming ambiance. The city is nestled in between small valleys, with Sweeney Ridge to the east, Montara Mountain to the south, and the Pacific Ocean's rocky bluffs and sandy beaches to the west. Pacifica encompasses roughly 12.6 square miles, of which approximately one-half is publicly owned open space. Numerous cities, county, and state parks provide panoramic views, and a feeling of spaciousness rarely found in suburban areas. Several miles of coastal and ridge-top trails tie Pacifica to neighboring communities.  

This natural connecting point of beaches, headlands, and hills provides a wide range of recreational opportunities from surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, scuba diving, and paragliding to hiking, whale and bird watching, and cycling. Pacifica’s one-quarter mile fishing pier is considered to be one of the best in the state and is ranked number one by anglers in the Bay area. Other recreational amenities include golf, bowling, archery, and team sports. Pacifica’s natural beauty is enhanced by its Mediterranean style 
weather.

With a population of approximately 38,600, Pacifica is a unique family-oriented coastal community that prides itself on fostering a “small town” feel. Many of Pacifica’s residents are highly engaged and involved in the community. Pacifica has excellent elementary and secondary schools, both public and private, and was recently named one of the Top 100 Safest Cities in America by Location, Inc.

The community enjoys a diverse economic base and has a significant number of smaller businesses. Tourism is very important to Pacifica’s economy, with thousands of people annually attracted to its beaches, vistas, and open space. Unique shops and a variety of lodging are available, with restaurants offering relaxing sunset and coastal viewing. For live local theater and performing arts, Pacifica Spindrift Players is a local and popular favorite, along with Pacifica Performances, which regularly provide both musical presentations and performing arts as well. The world-class bromeliad nursery, Shelldance Orchid Gardens, is located just off Highway 1. Pacifica plays host to the Pacific Coast Fog Festival each September, which showcases everything from artists and performers to children’s activities and a hometown parade.

Pacifica is a place where one can step into the natural world and enjoy a variety of recreational offerings, sample a cultural art performance or gallery opening, and later relax at a local restaurant and bask in a spectacular sunset. Pacifica’s rich cultural heritage and unique personality make it a community worth uncovering.

To learn more about the City of Pacifica, please visit www.cityofpacifica.org   

THE ORGANIZATION

The City of Pacifica is a General Law City incorporated in 1957 and operates under the Council/Manager form of government. Legislative authority is vested in a five member City Council elected by district for four-year overlapping terms. The Mayor is selected each year by a majority vote of the other Council members. The Council appoints the City Manager, City Attorney, and members of advisory commissions and committees.

Pacifica’s City Manager, Kevin Woodhouse, is highly regarded in the profession for his collaborative, supportive and inclusive management style, fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment where every team member feels valued and empowered. Under his leadership, the city has thrived as a high-performing organization, achieving its goals and delivering exceptional services to our community. The City Manager upholds the highest ethical standards, ensuring transparency, integrity, and accountability in all operations and this commitment to excellence has created a dynamic workplace culture to attract and retain top talent, driving continuous improvement and innovation throughout the city’s administration.

Pacifica is a full-service city (approximately 200.75 FTE) with a proposed FY 2024/25 general fund budget of $48.1 million. The City delivers municipal services through seven departments: the City Manager’s office (including the City Clerk, Economic Development, and contract City Attorney); Administrative Services (Finance, Human Resources, and IT Divisions); Parks, Beaches, and Recreation; Community Development; Public Works (Field Services & Engineering and Wastewater); Police; and Fire (via North County Fire Authority). Employees are represented by eight bargaining units.

The City Administration and Community Development services are located in a newly renovated City Hall located just two blocks from the Pacific Ocean. This prime location opens up various opportunities for recreational activities during a lunch break, such as a stroll along Beach Boulevard or a relaxing picnic by the waterfront, where you can clear your mind with the soothing view of the waves.

During the Spring of 2023, the City Council undertook a comprehensive strategic planning process, which resulted in the Pacifica Strategic Plan 2023-2030 establishing strategies to achieve the following five overarching goals during the seven-year period:

• Enhance organizational and fiscal stability.
• Improve and steward City infrastructure, streets, and facilities.
• Prioritize protection and development of affordable housing.
• Pursue climate change adaptation and mitigation.
• Broaden public communications and collaboration.

Progress on the Plan is provided through periodic updates, which can be found at the following link: 

https://www.cityofpacifica.org/home/showpublisheddocument/15033/638538929472758201 

THE DEPARTMENT

The Community Development Department provides timely, public-facing, and internal services related to the review of applications for development and building permits, as well as code enforcement of the City’s development regulations and other laws of the City. The Department has primary responsibility for the maintenance and implementation of the City’s General Plan, Local Coastal Program, Zoning Regulations, and Building Code, as well as environmental review of City and private development projects in accordance with CEQA regulations. The Department provides staff support to the City’s Planning Commission, Open Space and Parkland Advisory Committee, and Climate Action Adaptation Committee.

With the recent completion of Plan Pacifica – a comprehensive multi-year effort that updated the General Plan and Housing Element, Sharp Park Specific Plan, Local Coastal Land Use Plan, and Climate Action and Resilience Plan – the department is focusing on implementation and modernization.

The Community Development Department is staffed by 14 full-time staff, along with the support of outside consulting agencies as required. The Department is organized into three divisions: Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement, and prides itself on providing a high level of services with a lean but talented team.

THE POSITION

The Deputy Director of Community Development is a full-time, high-level management position that requires significant administrative, analytical, and technical skills. This position assists in the strategic planning, organization, and management of the department. This position will plan, organize, and manage the activities and operations of the Department; coordinate assigned activities with other departments, divisions, and outside agency; and provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Director. This position serves as the City Planner and may function as the Director in their absence or as assigned.