Community Development Director

Overview

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 projects—mixed-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.

• Provide leadership and direction across four functional areas:
  Planning, Building and Safety, Oil Field Services, and Neighborhood Enhancement/Code Enforcement.
• Oversee development review and permitting, uniform building code compliance, oil field inspections and policy, housing programs, zoning enforcement, and neighborhood improvement initiatives.
• Advance departmental goals and key performance indicators, including timely permit and plan reviews, proactive code enforcement, and successful implementation of General Plan and zoning updates.
• Coordinate sustainability initiatives and collaborate with regional, state, and federal agencies on development, oil field regulation, and environmental review.
• Balance day-to-day operational oversight with long-term strategic planning, foster innovation, accountability, and community trust, and build strong public-private partnerships to deliver transformative projects.

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, 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 $ - $, depending on qualifications, with an excellent benefits package. In addition, there is an approved 3% cost of living adjustment (COLA) scheduled for July 2026. Learn more about our options and employee-based benefits.

Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis at  Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will be open until filled with a first review of applications beginning October 17, 2025.

Please direct questions to Serena Wright-Black at  and Kelsey Batt at