Community Development Director

Job Description:

Community Development Director

Description

Definition & Distinguishing Characteristics



COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR $133,668.00 - $219,120.00 ANNUALLY + EXCELLENT BENEFITS!

Colusa County offers a 3% at 60 Classic Retirement formula and at 2% @ 62 formula for New Members!

Join Colusa County as our next Community Development Director and lead, innovate, and build a stronger future for our communities! We are seeking a visionary leader to guide community and economic development initiatives while fostering responsible growth and exceptional public service.

As the County's new Community Development Director, you will be responsible for continuing the transformation of the County's separate building and planning functions into a full-service, one-stop development services department including the major functions of building, planning, and environmental health. In order to be successful in this effort, you must have the ability to apply common sense solutions to complex issues that, at times, don't make very much sense. Step into the role of Community Development Director, where your vision will shape the future of our County, turning complex challenges into smart, sustainable solutions, and where every day is an opportunity to build a brighter, more vibrant community together.

This recruitment is intended to attract both experienced community development professionals seeking an opportunity to lead a dynamic public service organization and emerging leaders who are prepared to take the next step in their careers. Colusa County recognizes that effective leadership can come from a variety of planning, building, environmental health, engineering, economic development, and public administration backgrounds and values candidates who demonstrate integrity, sound judgment, innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to exceptional public service.

For experienced leaders, this position offers the opportunity to shape the future of community development in a close-knit county where strategic vision, responsible growth, and strong partnerships can have a lasting impact. The Community Development Director will lead initiatives involving land use planning, development services, environmental health, economic development, process improvement, and organizational excellence while serving as a trusted advisor to County leadership, community stakeholders, and development partners.

For professionals pursuing their first department head opportunity, Colusa County offers a collaborative and supportive environment with engaged leadership, experienced staff, and opportunities to work closely with elected officials, county departments, community organizations, businesses, and regional partners. The County is committed to fostering professional growth, encouraging innovation, and providing the resources needed for long-term success.

This is an opportunity to shape the future of Colusa County as our next Community Development Director. To learn more about this position, please check out the job description pages HERE .
This recruitment is open until filled. It is to your advantage to submit an application as soon as possible, as the recruitment may close at any time following application review on August 31 , 2026.

Selection Procedure - The following is a tentative schedule of events that will occur as part of the selection process:

• Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. All relevant work experience, training, and education must be included to determine eligibility.
  
• Screening for minimum qualifications: August 31, 2026.
• Successful applicants will be notified of the dates for first interviews and executive-level interviews once they have been scheduled.

The selection process steps may change with or without notice.

What's this Job All About?
As the County's Community Development Director, you will have the opportunity to lead and set performance expectations with a hands-on approach to all aspects of departmental responsibilities. At the same time, you will find a staff that is eager to accept challenges and push themselves out of their comfort zones to accomplish great things. You will also find a Board of Supervisors that supports innovation, common sense over bureaucracy, and will provide great latitude in allowing you to impart your personality on the Department to continue its unmatched level of customer service in the delivery of development services.

How do we make a difference?
The Department's team works tirelessly to ensure that the public's perception of the Department is that of a partner in the development process and not that of the stereotypical government bureaucratic obstacle. Of course, there are times when despite our best efforts to help a customer move forward with their project, we must nevertheless have to say “No”. However, what is important is that the customer knows that they were listened to, that we do care about them and their project, and that we utilized all of the Department’s considerable expertise to suggest viable options to help their project to move forward.

Embracing the Colusa County Work Culture
At Colusa County, the Community Development Department plays an important role in shaping the future of a rural community where collaboration, thoughtful planning, and strong partnerships make a lasting impact. As the Community Development Director, you will lead initiatives that support responsible growth, enhance community services, and advance the County’s priorities while working closely with elected officials, staff, residents, businesses, and regional partners.

The County leadership team values work-life balance. We know everyone works hard and should feel supported and appreciated. Whether it’s attending a family event, coaching youth sports, participating in community activities, or taking time to recharge, we understand the importance of flexibility. The future Community Development Director will be joining a team that understands the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life fit.

What are the benefits?

• A beautiful, safe community in which to work and serve
• A job with WORK-LIFE BALANCE
• A LIFETIME PAYCHECK (3% @ 60 for Classic Members and 2% @ 62 for New Members) - As long as you work for 5 years and vest in the CalPERS system, you will receive a retirement paycheck for the rest of your life.
• Amazing health care BENEFITS at NO COST to you - Unless you choose a premium health care plan.
• Authentically kind and engaged leadership who truly enjoy developing staff
• 457 Deferred Compensation
• Management Leave: 10 days
• PAID vacation, PAID holidays (15), and PAID sick leave
• Vacation Parity! - Previous service with a public agency counts towards vacation accrual at Colusa County (Includes cities, counties, districts, military and similar entities.) To learn more about vacation parity please see our benefit summary.)

(To view the benefit summary for this position, please click here . )

Join us and be a part of making a real difference in Colusa County, where we always prioritize the well-being of our community and team members!

Supervision & Examples of Duties

SUPERVISION RECEIVED :
Receives general administrative direction from the County Administrative Officer and policy direction from the Board of Supervisors.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
Exercises direct supervision over supervisory, technical, and clerical staff.

Qualifications

Any combination of experience and training that is likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities qualifies. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience
Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in governmental land use planning, current or advanced planning, or community development work, including two (2) years in a lead, supervisory, or management capacity. Experience overseeing or coordinating with building, code compliance, environmental health, or water resources functions is desirable but not required.

Training
Bachelor's degree with major coursework in Urban, Rural or Regional Planning, Landscape Architecture, Geography, Economics, Public Administration or a related field. A master's degree is preferred.

License or Certificate

A valid State of California driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.

Certified membership as an AICP member is desirable.

Please find the summary of benefits for all Department Heads here 2026 Department Heads Benefits Summary

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$133,668.00 - $219,120.00 Annually