Assistant Director of Community Development

The Assistant Director of Community Development will lead the Planning Division (land use and development review as well as policy planning) and assist the Director on strategic efforts that may involve the entire department and programs in other Departments. The position was added due to: City Council interest in updating many land use and development policies and programs an increase in new state laws and an increase in development activity. Sunnyvales 2023-2031 Housing Element plans for the construction of 12000 housing units (an almost 20% increase). The City is seeking candidates with experience in supervising or managing staff that can lead the Planning team with land use and development applications Council directed policy planning outside agency activity and changing state laws.

An ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership and collaboration skills flexibility paired with the ability to lead with both firmness and compassion and a proven ability to work effectively across the City. The candidate should be responsive solution-oriented and possess excellent written and oral communication skills.

(May include but are not limited to the following):

• Assists the Director of Community Development in managing and directing department staff operations and service levels.
• Assists in developing goals and objectives; assists in the development of policies and procedures; recommends modifications to existing policies and the establishment of new policies to the Director of Community Development.
• Prepares budget for one or more programs in the department; assists in budget implementation; participates in the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing equipment materials and supplies; administers approved budget.
• Recommends the appointment of personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; conducts performance evaluations; implements discipline procedures as required; maintains discipline and high standards necessary for the efficient and professional operation of the department.
• Represents the division and department to outside agencies and organizations; participates in outside community and professional groups and committees; provides technical assistance as necessary.
• Reviews and evaluates Requests for Proposal; develops and administers consultant contracts; reviews and approves contract amendments.
• Coordinates projects with other City departments and other private and public agencies.
• Analyzes and recommends strategies to improve effectiveness of operations by conducting a variety of organizational studies and operational objectives.
• Prepares and manages the development of complex management reports including presentations to the City Manager and City Council.
• Administers major projects as determined by the Director.
• Participates and attends a variety of professional group meetings committees and task forces.
• Act as the Director of Community Development in the Directors absence.

Education and Experience

The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:

A Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in Planning Engineering Urban Studies or a closely related field; AND

Six years of progressively responsible community development experience which includes two years of supervisory experience of management of professional staff. A Masters degree in a closely related field may qualify for one year of experience.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of urban planning land development/infrastructure planning redevelopment/housing engineering public construction regulations and building inspection in the public sector
• Principles of organization and management including personnel administration fiscal management and budgetary controls.
• Applicable federal and state laws codes and regulations within the areas of land development/infrastructure planning engineering building inspection general plans environmental matters zoning and land use.
• Demographic research and analysis; statistics and mathematics applicable to economic analysis.
• Contract negotiation and administration.
• Multi-project planning scheduling and control.
• Strategic planning.
• Principles of business correspondence and report writing.
• Principles and practices of housing and human services programs including administration of Community Development Block Grant and similar funds.
• Principles and techniques of operating and capital improvement budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of management supervision and training.

• Assist in the direction of the Community Development Department; select train supervise and evaluate Departmental staff; motivate supervise and lead.
• Analyze and interpret economic and physical data pertaining to planning zoning and building code enforcement.
• Handle and respond effectively to complex problems.
• Exercise initiative ingenuity and sound judgment in solving difficult administrative technical and personnel problems.
• Administer and coordinate a variety of diverse work programs and supervise the activities of a group of professionals operating within various disciplines.
• Coordinate and represent operations programs and policies with City Council commissions management staff businesses and the community.
• Develop prepare and administer a comprehensive and complex department budget.
• Prepare detailed and comprehensive reports and communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Work effectively with business leaders financial institutions citizen groups and department managers in interdepartmental and diverse team environments.
• Interpret and apply complex rules regulations laws and ordinances.
• Set Department division and project level goals and objectives.
• Operate standard office equipment and a variety of software applications.
• Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.
• Work evenings and weekends to attend meetings seminars/workshops and training as needed.

• An advanced degree in planning urban studies engineering public policy business administration or a closely related field.
• Certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners; or possession of certification as a Plans Examiner and Certified Building Official (CBO) by the International Code Council (ICC); or possession of registration as a civil engineer issued by the State of California.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS & PROCESS

The application submitted must meet the minimum qualifications listed in the job description in order to move forward in the recruitment process with the City of Sunnyvale. The information provided in the Work Experience Education and Certificates/Licenses sections of the application will be used to determine if the application meets the minimum qualifications. A resume employment history provided elsewhere in the application or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of the completed application.

Note: The minimum qualifications for experience are based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Experience included in the Work Experience section of the application is calculated to the full-time equivalent (hours are pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week). Volunteer experience is not considered qualifying experience.

If you are interested in this opportunity please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and responses to the supplemental questions to the Department of Human Resourcesby Wednesday January 21 2026 at 5:00pm.

Candidates are asked to fully describe any training education experience or skills relevant to this position.Electronic applications may be submitted online through the Citys employment page atand click on JOBS. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

EXAM PROCESS

Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position.Based upon a review of the application materials the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in theoral examination process scheduled for Wednesday February 4 2026. (Note: The examination process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Director of Human Resources.)

SELECTION PROCESS

Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year in accordance with the Citys Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies.Top candidates on the eligibility list will be invited to participate in an in-personselection interview with the department tentatively scheduled for February 11 or 12 2026.

Any candidate that is selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process which may consist of a background history check as well as a medical exam(s) administered by a City selected physician(s) before hire. Prior to starting work all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.

INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION

Any successful candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e. original copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts).A candidate with education obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service at the candidates expense to determine its equivalency in the United States. Candidates may utilize any third-party agency for the evaluation. If you search education equivalency verification or similar online you will obtain results for agencies that provide this evaluation service.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Positions in this job classification are represented by theSunnyvale Managers Association (SMA).

For assistance on how to fill out your job application watch the following video:

• How to Apply for a City of Sunnyvale Job- YouTube (5:13)

The City of Sunnyvale is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age race color religion sex national origin sexual orientation disability veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal state or local laws. The City of Sunnyvale is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability please contact us at or .