COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Community Development Director

The City of Signal Hill invites applications for the position of Community Development Director. 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 projectsmixed-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.

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.