Location
Description
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.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker and experienced planning professional with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. They will be a natural team-builder and mentor who can bring staff together as a high-performing team where relationships and collaboration are strong. The ability to work well with staff, colleagues in other departments, and outside agencies is a prerequisite for success in this organization that values collaborative working relationships.
The ideal candidate will be a unifying leader and team builder who is committed to maximizing their potential as well as the potential of others. A hands-on mentor, they will be actively engaged in the development of staff and lean in where needed to get critical projects completed. The new Deputy Director will be a motivating and inclusive manager with the ability to foster ownership and create momentum around Citywide and department priorities. A track record of setting high standards and holding staff accountable to such standards will be expected. Further, the individual selected will demonstrate the ability to be creative and resourceful in recruiting talented staff who add value in a cohesive environment.
The ideal candidate will be able to balance day-to-day operations with a constant eye toward the future and continuous improvement. Familiarity with contemporary urban planning practices and technology that contribute to departmental efficiency and effectiveness and enhanced customer service are critical for success. Experience in modernizing systems, processes, and practices will be important in this role.
Previous experience managing change thoughtfully while respecting the value of history and institutional knowledge will be carefully assessed. Superior project management skills coupled with a flexible and adaptive leadership style will be important in achieving the City’s strategic goals and objectives. Experience in a coastal community and working with the Coastal Commission is desirable. In addition, the ideal candidate will exhibit impressive fiscal acumen and be able to apply creative strategies to be successful operating in a lean environment.
A minimum of five (5) years of increasing responsible professional planning experience in community development services, including at least two (2) years of supervisory experience. A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Environmental Studies, Urban Planning or Regional Planning or a closely related field is required. A Master’s degree in Environmental Studies, Urban Planning, Public Administration, or Business Administration is highly desirable.
ESSENTIAL AND IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Assist the Director with administration and operation of departmental programs.
- Provide administrative direction for activities relating to the effective utilization of programs, personnel, resources, facilities and equipment.
- Develop, encourage, implement, improve, and manage department processes.
- Assist in managing the development and implementation of department goals, objectives, policies, processes, and priorities.
- Train, motivate, coach and evaluate department personnel.
- Assist in development and administration of the department budget.
- Participate on a variety of committees and task forces; attend and participate in professional group meetings; serve as the primary staff liaison to the Planning Commission.
- Manage consultant services for various technical and special services.
- Lead the management, review, development, revision, and maintenance of General Plan elements, plans, ordinances, and other policies and procedures.
- May serve as Community Development Director, as required.
- Serves as a Disaster Service Worker, as required.
- Perform related duties and responsibilities as required and other duties as assigned.
Knowledge of:
- Principles, practices, and techniques of public administration, including the operations and functions of industry and municipal government.
- Modern principles and practices of technical and legal issues of urban and regional planning, zoning, urban economics, demographics, and environmental planning and program management.
- Geographic, socio-economic, transportation, political, and other elements related to planning including environmental issues and analysis using geographic information systems (GIS).
- Comprehensive plans, specific plans, and current planning processes and the development process; Building Codes and code enforcement practices.
- Federal, state and city laws, codes, rules, regulations and standards affecting planning, zoning, land development and other planning programs, including but not limited to California Planning and Zoning Law, the Subdivision Map Act, the Coastal Act, the California Environmental Quality Act, and the California Building Code.
- Municipal processes, policies and procedures.
- Principles and practices of project management, contract administration, and personnel management.
- Methods and techniques of conducting public meetings and presentations.
- Authority and role of the Planning Commission in approving planning related projects.
- Site planning and architectural design principles.
- General concepts of architecture, landscaping, grading, drainage, and traffic and transportation engineering as they relate to the process of urban planning.
- Practices of researching planning and land use issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, preparing findings, and presenting effective staff reports.
- Principles of effective public relations and interrelationships with various community groups and stakeholders.
- Effective leadership techniques and practices.
- Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups and various business, professional, regulatory and legislative organizations.
- Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
- English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary and punctuation.
Skills/Abilities to:
- Provide effective leadership and coordinate the activities of department.
- Devise effective and efficient operation methods or procedures.
- Identify opportunities for process improvement and make recommendations to enhance governmental operations.
- Interpret and accurately apply applicable federal, state, and local policies, procedures, codes, laws, ordinances and regulations.
- Perform complex current and long-range planning duties.
- Assess, monitor, and report environmental impact on and of various City programs and services; conduct and facilitate presentations before the Planning Commission, City Council and community groups.
- Interpret building, code enforcement, planning and zoning programs to the general public; identify and respond to issues and concerns of the public, Planning Commission and City Council.
- Analyze site design, terrain constraints, land use compatibility, utilities and other urban services; read and understand architectural and civil plans and drawings.
- Perform calculations and measurements to confirm project compliance with development standards.
- Interpret land use maps and legal descriptions of property.
- Conduct complex research projects, synthesize data, evaluate alternatives and make sound recommendations; coordinate assigned activities with other departments and agencies as required.
- Prepare and present clear, concise, and logical written and oral reports, correspondence, policies, procedures and other written materials.
- Make sound decisions.
- Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities and meet critical time deadlines.
- Take a proactive approach to customer service issues and hold others within the department accountable for this effort.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive information.
- Work in a standard office environment with some ability to sit/stand for long periods of time, with prolonged exposure to a computer screen and extensive public contact.
- Travel to different sites and locations.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, which includes preparing and presenting clear, well-organized and concise reports.
- Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Work in a safe manner following industry best practices and the City’s safety practices and procedures.
- Work evenings and weekends, and respond off-hours to various emergency situations.
- Serve as a Disaster Service Worker.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:
- Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Environmental Studies, Urban Planning, or a closely related field. A graduate degree in Environmental Studies, Urban Planning, Public Administration, or Business Administration is highly desirable.
- Training & Experience: Five (5) years of increasing responsibility of professional planning experience, including two (2) years of supervisory experience
Certificate: Accreditation by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable.
- License: Possession and maintenance of a California Class C driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record
Benefits
The City of Pacifica offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits package for this position according to its Unrepresented Management & Confidential Employees, as listed below:
Monthly Salary Range:
FY 25-26 $13,204 - $15,490
FY 26-27 $13,864 - $16,264
FY 27-28 $14,141 - $17,419
Retirement: The City contracts with CalPERS to provide a retirement plan that utilizes the formula of 2.5% @ 55 for "Classic members" or 2% @ 62 for "PEPRA members." Classic Members contribute 8% employee contribution plus 2.5% employer cost share for a total contribution of 10.5%. PEPRA members pay 6.75% employee contribution plus 2.5% employer cost share for a total contribution of 9.25%. The City does not participate in Social Security.
Insurance: The City provides its employees with a medical insurance allowance that allows employees to purchase medical insurance through CalPERS medical benefits plan. Some plans require employee contributions.
Employees with proof of qualifying health insurance coverage through another group health plan may qualify for a "Health In-Lieu Payment" when declining city coverage.
The City contributes toward a dental insurance plan and vision plan for employee and all eligible dependents.
The City pays premiums for:
Life insurance premium in the amount of two (2) times annual salary up to $200,000.
Long term disability insurance (to begin sixty days after onset of non-work-related illness or injury).
Deferred Compensation: May participate in the 457 deferred compensation plan with one of three offered plans.
Vacation: Accrual begins at ten (10) days annually and increases based upon years of service.
Sick Leave: Twelve (12) days per calendar year
Administrative Leave: 60 hours per fiscal year
Holidays: Thirteen (13) holidays (includes two floating holidays pro-rated based upon hire date) per year.
Bargaining Unit: Unrepresented, Confidential "At Will" status
For additional information, please visit the City of Pacifica, Administrative Services Department, Human Resources Division at the following link: https://www.cityofpacifica.org/home/showpublisheddocument/718/637828549738970000
Special Instructions
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
The closing date for this recruitment is 12:00 PM PST Monday, October 20, 2025.
Round 1 Oral Panel Interviews will take place the week of October 27, 2025.
Round 2 Oral Panel Interviews will tentatively take place the week of November 6, 2025.
Interested candidates must submit a completed online employment application, cover letter, and resume in https://www.calopps.org. Resumes in lieu of a completed application will not be accepted. Applications can be obtained online at https://www.calopps.org/city-of-pacifica.
After a mutual interest has been established, the final candidate must pass a City of Pacifica background check which includes, but is not limited to, the Department of Justice fingerprinting scan and professional reference check.
Human Resources has the right to revise this process as needed based on business needs.
At the City of Pacifica, we are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. To us, equal opportunity employment is not just about compliance, it’s about who you are, how you can help our City and who you want to be. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and residents.