Job Description

The Position

Planning and Building Services Director

County of Mendocino

$141,668 - $172,203 DOE

The ideal candidate is an experienced, strategic, and collaborative leader who is confident navigating complex regulatory and operational environments. They will possess strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills, with the ability to establish priorities, manage competing interests, and promote accountability and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will build effective relationships with elected and administrative officials, department staff, developers, community members, and other stakeholders while providing responsive, professional, and solutions-oriented public service.

Under administrative direction from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Director of Planning and Building Services provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and overall administration of the County’s Planning and Building Services Department. The Director plans, directs, and evaluates departmental operations, programs, services, and personnel and is responsible for departmental policy, strategic planning, budget development, organizational performance, and executive decision-making.

Provides leadership and strategic direction for the Planning, Building, Code Enforcement, and Cannabis divisions.
Develops and implements departmental policies, strategic initiatives, goals, and organizational objectives while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Oversees departmental operations, programs, services, and personnel and promotes accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Directs budget development and monitors departmental resources, priorities, and performance.
Represents the Department with the Board of Supervisors, County leadership, other governmental agencies, community organizations, and the public.
The position is fully described in the County’s Job Specification .

View the full recruitment brochure HERE .

Job Requirements and Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in urban or regional planning, public administration, geography, architecture, architectural engineer, land use economics, or a closely related field

And

Five (5) years of increasingly responsible management experience in city/county urban or regional planning, building inspections, code enforcement, permit processing, and/or development-related activities, including program planning, development, and administration and working with community organizations, with at least three (3) years in a management-level capacity.

Substitution:
A combination of nine (9) years of directly related education, training, and experience performing progressively responsible duties in city/county urban or regional planning, building inspections, code enforcement, permit processing, and/or development-related activities, including program planning, development, and administration and working with community organizations, with at least three (3) years in a management-level capacity, that
would provide the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to effectively perform the duties of the job.

Graduate level coursework in urban, regional or environmental quality planning or related field may substitute for up to one year of the management-level experience requirement

Licenses and Certifications:
Valid State Driver's License
American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) (desirable)
Certified Building Official (desirable)
Master Code Professional (desirable)

Incumbents must possess and maintain, or obtain and maintain, all licenses, certifications, registrations, and/or other requirements identified in the minimum qualifications, as applicable, and within the timeframes specified. These requirements are conditions of continued employment and minimum qualifications for the position. Failure to possess, obtain, or maintain any required license, certification, registration, or other requirement within the specified timeframe may result in rejection during the probationary period, or disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Selection Procedure & Other Important Information

Important Application Information:

It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply.
You must complete all sections of the application. A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application. Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference “see résumé” will be rejected as incomplete.
Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.

If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this classification, please submit unofficial transcripts with your application. Applicants who completed their education outside of the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must provide an education evaluation. The education evaluation must state the number of units to which foreign coursework is equal. Foreign education evaluation services can be found at https://www.naces.org . This education evaluation is the responsibility of the applicant and must be submitted with the application.

Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application.
You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character.
Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards. Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process: All complete applications and supplemental questionnaires submitted by the final filing date will be reviewed with those judged most qualified progressing further in the selection process; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, a Qualifications Appraisal may be administered.

Special Testing: The County of Mendocino is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), if special accommodations for a disability or religious conviction are necessary at any stage of the application and/or testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department in advance at (707) 234-6600. Reasonable notice is required to allow adequate time for review and evaluation of your request.

Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.

The County of Mendocino participates in the E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility. If hired, the information you provide on your Form I-9 will be used to verify your authorization to work in the United States.

Learn more:

E-Verify Notice of Participation (Download PDF reader)
Right to Work (Download PDF reader)

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer

This information is a summary of general benefits. Benefits listed in Mendocino County Resolutions or Memorandums of Understanding prevail over this listing. This information is not legally binding, nor does it constitute a Contract.

SALARY
Compensation is based on a five-step salary range, with annual merit-based increases within the salary range.

RETIREMENT
Covered under Social Security and the 1937 act; both employees and the County pay into the retirement fund. For the most current information regarding County Retirement please go to:
https://www.mendocinocounty.org/retirement

HOLIDAYS AND PERSONAL LEAVE
Mendocino County observes 11 paid holidays per year. Employees are granted 24 - 48 hours of personal leave annually, depending upon Bargaining Unit.

VACATION
Accrues at the rate of two weeks per year for three years. Three weeks per year after three years, four weeks after eight years and five weeks after 15 years.

SICK LEAVE
Paid sick leave accrues at the rate of 1.25 days per month, or 15 days per year. Accruals are pro-rated for part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week. Part-time employees working less than 20 hours per week, and extra-help employees receive up to 24 hours (or 3 days) of paid sick leave annually.

MEDICAL, DENTAL, VISION, AND LIFE INSURANCE
The County and the employee share the cost of an employee selected health care plan; enrollment in the plan includes $20,000 Life Insurance.

HEALTH INSURANCE
For the most current information regarding Health Insurance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/ehb

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Assistance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/eap

EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Wellness please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/mcwow

LABOR CONTRACTS
For the complete list of most current labor agreements please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/labor

Closing Date/Time: 11/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Special Instructions

Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.

County of Mendocino, CA

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Planning and Building Services Director