Located 60 miles north of Los Angeles, Palmdale is a thriving city known for its good schools, vibrant recreation progra
DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT City of Palmdale, CA
THE CITY
Located 60 miles north of Los Angeles, Palmdale is a thriving city known for its good schools, vibrant recreation programs, affordable housing, and business friendly policies. Its location provides easy access to local mountains and beaches, sunny days, cool nights and freedom from urban issues such as traffic congestion and smog. Local assets include major aerospace manufacturing facilities located at USAF Plant 42 in Palmdale and operated by Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing, a transit center that will serve as a stop on the California High Speed Rail line and be the focus for transit-oriented development, a bustling regional mall, the state-of-the-art Palmdale Regional Medical Center and a healthy mix of employment opportunities. Development activities in the City are gaining speed with the nationwide economic recovery. Over 360 new businesses have opened in Palmdale in the last year. In 2014 the City of Palmdale was recognized by the Los Angeles Economic Redevelopment Commission as a Most Business Friendly City finalist.
THE GOVERNMENT
Incorporated in 1962, the City of Palmdale is a Charter City governed under the council/ manager form of local government. Beginning in November of 2016 the City Council will be elected from four districts. Two councilmembers will be elected for 4-year terms and two will be elected to 2-year terms. The mayor’s election will remain at-large. The City Manager serves at the pleasure of the City Council, administers the City’s affairs, and carries out policies established by the City Council. The City Council is responsible for passing ordinances, adopting the budget, appointing committees, and hiring both the City Manager and City Attorney. The City of Palmdale has an adopted FY 2015/16 Operating budget of $107.6 million, a CIP budget of $72.8 million, and 184 authorized full time employee positions.
THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
The Department of Economic and Community Development is a newly created department merging the functions of Economic Development with Development Services (Planning, Building Inspection, Business Licensing, and Engineering and Signal Maintenance). Its main mission is to create a sustainable economy with three areas of focus: 1. Diversification/Industry Clusters (Aerospace, Manufacturing, Healthcare and Film Industry) 2. Retail Revitalization 3. Regulatory Approach By merging these departments, the City will further its efforts to be more business friendly. It also hopes to attract new businesses by streamlining processes and to position itself as the “go to” location for new business and manufacturing investment.
THE POSITION
The Director of Economic and Community Development reports to the City Manager and supervises division heads, professional and technical staff. He/She provides highly responsible professional and administrative direction in the administration and management of the Economic and Community Development Department, including economic development, planning, building and safety, business licensing, engineering, traffic engineering, GIS, signal maintenance development engineering and special projects including the California High Speed Rail interface in the City of Palmdale. The Director plans, directs, coordinates, manages and supervises activities for the Department; implements policies and procedures related to program
DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT City of Palmdale, CA
areas within the City; coordinates activities with other City officials, departments, outside agencies, organizations and the public; provides responsible and complex staff support to the City Council and City Manager. The Director of Economic and Community Development has a staff of 39.
Top Priorities: •
Integration – Continue to integrate the functions of Development Services with Economic Development. Implement the Sustainable Economy element of the City’s Strategic Plan. Continue to meet regulatory requirements with a business-friendly approach. Continue to streamline Department processes while protecting the community and its interests.
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Economic Diversification – Work with real estate brokers and developers to diversify the City’s economic base. Expand healthcare opportunities, continue to enhance opportunities with the film industry and actively market manufacturing sites.
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Palmdale Airport – Management of the Palmdale Airport was recently turned over to the City. Create a strategic plan that addresses new economic development opportunities pertaining to 17,000 acres that are currently under the control of Los Angeles World Airports.
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Transit-Oriented Development – Development to support existing bus and rail services as well as the California High Speed Rail Project, which has a planned stop in Palmdale.
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Redevelopment – Manage the outstanding issues left from the dissolution of the City’s Redevelopment Agency. Resolve finances with the state and address the status of former redevelopment properties including property management plan and strategic property development and disposition.
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Strategy – Continue to refine the City’s Sustainable Economy business plans. Lead the process to completely update the City’s General Plan.
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Values and Culture – Champion the City’s values and culture and extend these attributes within the Department. Coach, mentor and develop the new and less experienced employees.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The City of Palmdale is guided by five core values: 1. We are Grounded in Integrity 2. We Nurture Teamwork 3. We Cultivate Greatness 4. We are Committed to Service 5. We Master the Possibilities The new Director of Economic and Community Development will be a proven leader who upholds these values and is excited to be a part of the City’s leadership team. He/She will be collaborative and foster close working relationships with other departments and external agencies/customers. The selected candidate will be visionary, supportive and goal-oriented. He/She will mentor, coach and encourage staff.
Education and Experience Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be: •
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in economic development, urban planning, civil engineering or a closely related field (a master’s degree is preferred) and five years of progressively responsible management experience in economic development, urban planning, building & safety, civil engineering or other applicable field.
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Candidates should have a track record in economic development and management. Knowledge of redevelopment law is also essential. Familiarity with water-related issues is a plus.
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Requires possession of a valid California driver’s license.
DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT City of Palmdale, CA
COMPENSATION
The salary for this position is open and will be dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. In addition, benefits are provided which include: •
SICK LEAVE: Employees accrue 96 hours per year with a maximum accrual of 800 hours (400 hours for benefited part-time employees).
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RETIREMENT: The City is a member of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS). Full-time and benefited part-time employees will be enrolled in either the New Member or Classic plan, as defined by CalPERS. New Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 62 formula and pay the full 6.25% employee contribution. Classic Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 60 formula and pay the full 7% employee contribution.
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WELLNESS PROGRAM: The program includes gym membership discounts, healthy eating programs, exercise classes, Stair Well Program & other programs.
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DIRECT DEPOSIT: Direct Deposit is mandatory for all new employees.
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CREDIT UNION: The City is affiliated with the F&A Federal Credit Union & Logix Federal Credit Union (formerly Lockheed).
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INSURANCE: The City offers group health, dental/vision, long term disability, and a $50,000 life insurance policy for full-time employees. The City contributes towards the employee’s health insurance. Benefited part-time employees are eligible for health insurance on a prorated basis.
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DEFERRED COMPENSATION: The City participates in the ICMA-RC Deferred Compensation Plan, which enables benefited part-time and full-time employees to contribute on a tax deferred basis.
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MILEAGE PAY: Any employee may be reimbursed for work related mileage at 57.5 cents per mile when assigned to use their private vehicle on City business.
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SOCIAL SECURITY: The City does not participate in Social Security, and does not deduct Social Security payments from any employee’s salary. The City does deduct 1.45% of salary for Medicare & makes a 1.45% matching contribution.
HOW TO APPLY
Resume review begins June 12, 2015. Please apply online at www.allianceRC.com. For assistance, questions and inquiries, please contact: Sherrill Uyeda or Cindy Krebs ALLIANCE RESOURCE CONSULTING LLC 400 Oceangate, Suite 510 Long Beach, CA 90802 Telephone: (562) 901-0769 E-mail:
[email protected] [email protected] http://twitter.com/Alliancerc Alliance Resource Consulting LLC An Equal Opportunity/ADA Employer
