Community Development Director - San Pablo, CA

Community Development Director - San Pablo, CA

The City of San Pablo is a dynamic, diverse West Contra Costa County community located along Interstate 80, minutes from Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco. With a population of 32,389 across just 2.6 square miles, San Pablo offers a highly connected, business-friendly environment with a wide range of housing options and access to Contra Costa College, serving over 9,000 students each semester.

The City’s multi-ethnic richness—where more than 70% of residents speak a language other than English at home—creates a vibrant, culturally grounded community that values inclusivity, affordability, and opportunity. For more information on the region please visit Contra Costa County’s website at .

San Pablo is preparing for its next era of reinvestment and growth, supported by declining crime rates, an emerging branding initiative, and strong regional positioning. The City now seeks a collaborative, forward-thinking Community Development Director to lead the department following the upcoming retirement of Libby Tyler, a highly respected planning professional.

This is a unique opportunity to build upon a strong foundation while shaping the City’s next phase of growth. The ideal candidate is an experienced, team-oriented leader who understands the roles of the City Council, Planning Commission, and City Manager, and who provides clear, objective, and well-reasoned guidance to support policy decisions.

With declining crime rates, reinvestment potential, and a new branding effort underway, San Pablo is poised for transformation. The next Director will play a key role in advancing housing, mixed-use development, and economic development priorities; navigating RHNA requirements; and reinforcing collaborative partnerships across departments. Deep knowledge of California land-use law, CEQA, and housing financing strategies is essential.

The City seeks a leader who embraces innovation, inspires professional growth, and elevates expectations within a multi-generational department. The ideal candidate will cultivate a culture centered on facilitation, customer service, and partnership while maintaining trust with applicants, community members, and regional stakeholders.

The annual salary range for this outstanding opportunity is $205,860 to $250,224, with a Council approved 2% COLA adjustment on July 1, 2026. Placement within this range is dependent upon qualifications.

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