Assistant Community Development Director

Overview

The Assistant Community Development Director works under the general direction of the Community Development Director to assist in planning, organizing, and managing the daily operations of the Community Development Department (CDD), including the Building, Planning & Zoning, and Code Compliance divisions. This position serves as a key member of the department's management team, provides supervisory oversight of professional and technical staff, and acts as the City's back-up Floodplain Administrator.

The Assistant Director is expected to exercise independent judgment in the interpretation and enforcement of the Florida Building Code, FEMA floodplain management regulations, local land development regulations, and the City's Comprehensive Plan, with particular emphasis on floodplain management and coastal resilience given the City's location entirely within a Special Flood Hazard Area.

• Departmental Leadership & Supervision
  • Assists the Community Development Director in planning, directing, and coordinating the daily activities of the Building, Planning & Zoning, and Code Compliance divisions.
  • Supervises, trains, and evaluates assigned professional, technical, and administrative staff, including Building Officials, Plans Examiners, Inspectors, Planners, Permit Technicians and Support Staff.
  • Acts in the capacity of the Community Development Director in their absence, including representing the department before the Board of Commissioners, Planning & Zoning Board, and other public bodies.
  • Assists in the preparation, administration, and monitoring of the department's annual operating budget, including the Building Fund.
• Floodplain Management & Coastal Resilience
  • Serves as Deputy/Back-up Floodplain Administrator; enforces the City's Floodplain Management Ordinance, FEMA regulations and ASCE 24 flood-resistant design and construction provisions of the Florida Building Code.
  • Reviews and processes substantial improvement/substantial damage (SI/SD) determinations, elevation certificates, and flood-proofing documentation for structures within the SFHA.
  • Manages the City's participation in the NFIP Community Rating System (CRS), including preparation of the annual recertification, documentation of creditable activities, and coordination of programs to maintain or improve the City's CRS classification and residents' flood insurance premium discounts.
  • Coordinates with FEMA, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), and coastal resilience planning and grant initiatives.
  • Supports post-disaster damage assessment, substantial damage inspections, and coordination with the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during and after storm events.
• Permitting, Plan Review & Inspections Oversight
  • Oversees the review of building permit applications, site plans, and construction documents for compliance with the Florida Building Code, floodplain regulations, and local ordinances.
  • Assists in managing permitting workflow and staffing allocation during high-volume periods, including post-hurricane recovery permitting surges, to maintain service levels and code compliance.
  • Assists in the coordination of complex or high-profile development review for major projects, redevelopment, and capital improvement initiatives.
  • Assists code enforcement staff in the investigation of violations, including floodplain, erosion control, and unpermitted construction matters, and may appear before the Special Magistrate.
• Planning, Grants & Administration
  • Assists with review of zoning, variance, special exception, and Comprehensive Plan amendment applications, and prepares related staff reports and recommendations.
  • Identifies, applies for, and helps administer federal and state grant funding relevant to floodplain management, hazard mitigation, and resilience, including FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA), and other as applicable.
  • Prepares clear, data-driven reports, memoranda, and presentations for the City Manager, Board of Commissioners, and other elected/appointed officials.
  • Maintains accurate departmental records, permit files, inspection logs, and correspondence in electronic systems.
  • Performs other duties as assigned by the Community Development Director or City Manager.

• Minimum Qualifications
  Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Urban or Regional Planning, Public Administration, Building Construction, Engineering, or a closely related field, and a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in building, planning, zoning, or floodplain management, including at least two (2) years in a lead or supervisory capacity; or an equivalent combination of education, certification, and experience.

• Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, or a related field.
  • Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM), or ability to obtain…