Deputy Director of Community Development - Planning

About The Position

The deadline for the first review of applications is 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications early. Applicants that submit applications after the first review deadline are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review deadline.

Essential Functions

• Oversees the municipal planning operations of the City and is responsible for the management and supervision of the professional and clerical staff of the Planning Division and fills in for the Director during their absence.
• Counsels employees on matters of policy and procedure; conducts employee evaluation, training, staffing development and discipline; tracks and evaluates program goals and objectives for the Planning Division.
• Manages the Planning Counter functions, while assuring exceptional customer service.
• Processes private development projects through the City's project review system, in coordination with other City Departments.
• Serves as lead of the City's Inter-Departmental Development Review Committee.
• Administers the City Zoning Code, Specific Plans, Master Plan, General Plan, and other development-related ordinances and regulations.
• Ensures that the public and development community receive complete and courteous service and ensures that the Planning Division works cooperatively with other departments.
• Manages Planning Commission meetings and agenda processes by preparing and overseeing the preparation of agenda reports and supporting reports for the City Planning Commission in coordination with the Director.
• Aids Director with the preparation of City Council reports and other meetings.
• Prepares reports and makes presentations to the City Council.
• Maintains financial accountability for the Planning Division and assists in the development of the Department's annual budget.
• Evaluates and implements updates to Division's or Department's policies, procedures and practices to improve services and increase efficiencies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A typical combination is as follows: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Architecture, Urban Planning or related field is required. A Master's degree is desirable.
• Eight (8) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in planning. Three (3) years in a supervisory capacity is desirable. A combination of public and private sector experience is acceptable.
• Knowledge of: Principles, methods and practices of city planning; thorough knowledge of laws and ordinances affecting the planning development and zoning processes; familiarity with the fundamentals of economic, engineering, municipal finance, sociology and other related subjects as applied to city planning; principles of organization, administration, budget and personnel management.
• Ability to: Communicate effectively orally and in writing; work with members of the public, elected and appointed officials, and business persons; deal with stressful situations and solve complex problems; supervise and coordinate the technical research required in the planning process; present the technical information clearly and concisely to lay groups and the general public, orally and in writing; analyze and supervise the systematic compilation of technical and statistical information and to prepare technical reports; establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by the work; and identify, coordinate and resolve a wide variety of interests in the development of land use policy.

Additional Information

California Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Pull Notice System: An incumbent appointed to this position is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program. The Pull Notice program provides information on the incumbent's driving record and Driver's License status on a periodic basis to the City of Downey. An employee assigned a City vehicle must acknowledge receipt and understanding of City Administrative Regulations covering the use of City vehicles.

Physical Tasks/Abilities and Environmental Conditions

• Work is performed in an office environment with moderate noise levels; duties require the ability to speak, hear, touch and see.
• In addition, may be required to travel on business related trips via auto, train or airplane and walk thru construction projects, vacant property, and large buildings.
• Also required is the ability to exert a small amount of physical effort in sedentary to light work involving moving from one area to another; occasionally bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing and pulling (drawers opened and closed to retrieve and file information); occasionally lifting and carrying materials that weigh less than 20 pounds.
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter, or calculator; requires sufficient hand/eye coordination to perform semi-skilled repetitive movements, such as typing on a keyboard, filing, data entry and/or use of a personal computer or other office equipment and supplies; may involve sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time.

Selection Process

• All applications and supplemental information will be reviewed and evaluated on the basis of information submitted at the time of filing to determine the level and scope of the applicant's qualifications for the position. All information submitted is subject to verification.
• For consideration, an on-line employment application and supplemental questionnaire is required to be completed and submitted by the application deadline. An attached resume will not be accepted in lieu of the completed application. Failure to complete all the information requested may result in an application being removed from consideration.
• Candidate(s) who complete testing with acceptable results will be considered by the Department's hiring authority.
• Prior to an employment offer, a comprehensive background investigation is conducted, including fingerprinting. A pre-placement medical exam, including a drug screen will be conducted upon issuance of a conditional offer of employment.
• Any applicant requiring reasonable accommodation during the selection process due to a qualified disability must inform the Human Resources Office at (562) 904-7292 at least 72 hours in advance.

Summary of Benefits

• Retirement: The City provides the 2% @ age 60 retirement formula under the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) for an employee hired on or after January 11, 2012. An employee contribution equal to 7% of reportable earnings is required.
• Medical Insurance: The City provides coverage under the Kaiser Permanent HMO Plan. The City offers 100% paid coverage for employee plus qualified dependent(s).
• Dental Insurance: The City offers coverage from a choice between two dental plans, MetLife and Delta Dental. The employee contribution for employee plus qualified dependent(s) coverage is up to $49.85 per month.
• Retiree Medical Contribution: With 10 years of service at retirement, the City offers medical coverage for retiree plus qualified dependent(s) under a City sponsored medical plan. The City contributes $98 per month towards this coverage. An Opt-Out Program is available with eligibility to receive the retiree medical contribution without enrollment in a City sponsored medical plan.
• Effective October 25, 2011, a Health Savings Account (HSA) program is available and funded at retirement by the value of up to five hundred (500) hours of earned and unused sick leave.
• Life Insurance & Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D): The City provides Basic Life coverage of one time annual earnings, up to $100,000. For accident