Job Information
Job Category
Environmental, Land Use, Rural Planning
Company Name
City of Kerman
Position Level
Managerial
Job Description
The Community
The City of Kerman is a small city of 17,535 situated 12 miles west of Fresno in the heart of the agriculturally-rich Central San Joaquin Valley. Kerman is a growing city with a reputation as a safe, fiscally sound and well-managed city.
The City enjoys the benefit of being within close proximity to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, home to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks featuring abundant year-round recreational activities. Kerman continues to grow and many recent developments have added new jobs, property and sales tax revenues to help support ongoing core services to the community.
The City of Kerman is a community with a high level of pride and concern for preserving quality of life. Citizens enjoy low crime, good schools, attractive neighborhoods, parks and recreational activities.
The Organization
The City of Kerman is a General Law City and operates under the Council-Manager form of government. The City is governed by a five-member City Council. The Mayor is directly elected to a two-year term and Council Members are elected to four-year terms by district. The City Manager is responsible for policy implementation and overall operations. The Chief of Police oversees and leads the Police Department for the organization.
The Position
The Community Development Director will plan, organize and direct the activities of the Planning & Building Department that provide current and advance planning, plan checking, building inspection, and code enforcement services.
This is an at-will, management (FLSA exempt) position that reports directly to the City Manager and is an essential member of the Executive Management Team. The Director will supervise and lead the Department which currently consists of administrative support staff and contract building inspector, contract building official and contract land use consultant(s).
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Assists in the development of City goals, objectives, and priorities for the City.
- Establishes departmental programs consistent with and supportive of these goals, objectives, and priorities.
- Oversees and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of the department’s programs.
- Participates in the selection and assignment of department employees and provides for the supervision and training of all personnel.
- Assigns, directs, evaluates, rewards, and disciplines those employees directly supervised in accordance with City policy.
- Assures that department employees are instructed in job safe practices.
- Researches and develops suggested changes to the department budgets.
- Prepares City Council agenda items for review and approval by the City Manager.
- Prepares master plans for mixed-use areas and business campuses utilizing urban design skills.
- Directs maintenance of the City General Plan, Specific Plans, and Zoning Code and the required updates.
- Confers, negotiates, and manages consultants on planning projects including master plans and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) contracts.
- Prepares documents and reports for the Planning Commission and City Council consideration.
- Negotiates with outside entities concerning the establishment of approved contractual relationships with the City concerning those matters under department cognizance.
- Administers these and other City contracts that relate to and are within the scope of department responsibilities.
- Authorizes purchase of departmental materials and equipment.
- Provides professional staff assistance, technical support, and advice to the City Manager and other department heads.
- Drafts correspondence in response to public inquiries, and monitors department program activities for compliance.
- Prepares staff analysis and reports on various projects and programs.
- Presents analysis in both oral and written form through Council and other public presentations.
- Investigates and makes reports on subdivision plans, zone variances, conditional use permit, and processing of zoning applications.
- Conducts studies relevant to department and divisional programs and activities.
- Support of LEED Certification cases.
- Prepares recommendations relating to future growth and development.
- Works closely with the City Manager, City Council, and serves as staff to the Planning Commission.
- Meets with developers and business owners planning projects in the city.
- Prepares, implements and administers the City’s General Plan.
- Administers contracts for general plan update.
- Prepares staff reports and makes recommendations relating to future growth and development.
- Represents the City on regional planning events, committees and commissions.
- Provides front line, strong support to the City‘s Economic Development Program.
- Vacation—Starts at 15 days per year, with progressive earned vacation credits with time in service.
- Administrative Leave—10 days (80 hours) administrative leave per year.
- Holidays—Eleven (11) paid holidays per year.
- Sick Leave—10 days (80 hours) sick leave annually.
- Bilingual pay—Upon earning a passing score of the examination.
- Insurance—City provides health benefit coverage (health, dental and vision) for employees. Employees contribute 30% of cost for dependent coverage.
- Retirement—CalPERS 2% @ 60 retirement benefit formula, three year average, with employee paying the full 7% of the employee contribution if considered a “classic member” by CalPERS. If considered a “new member” by CalPERS, then the retirement benefit formula is 2% @ 62% with the employee paying the full 7.75% employee contribution amount. Pension formulas are determined based on provisions of the California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA). The employee contribution amount is subject to adjustment by CalPERS.
- Social Security coverage—Employee pays employee portion.
- Long Term Disability Plan—50% paid by City.
- State Disability Insurance (SDI)— Paid by the City.
- Life Insurance—$75,000 Life Insurance Plan— Paid by the City.
- Optional Deferred Comp (457 Plan) available.
- Employee Assistance Program—Provided to employee and qualifying family members at no cost.
- Pre-Tax Flexible Benefit Program - Section 125 Flex plan available at the employee’s option and is funded by employee salary reductions only.
To be considered for this career opportunity, please submit a City of Kerman employment application, and resume to:
City of Kerman, Community Development Director Recruitment Attn: Akayla Cheema 850 S. Madera Avenue Kerman, CA 93630 Filing deadline: July 31, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Applicants will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications. After review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the examination process, which will consist of oral interviews.
US Citizenship Required?
No
Will security clearance be required?
No
Salary Range
$9,167 - $11,699 monthly
Application Deadline
07/31/2026
Position Type
Permanent Full-Time
Travel
None
Primary Language Required
English
Job Location
Location Address
850 S. Madera Ave
Kerman, California
93630
Contact Information
Hiring Contact Name
Akayla Cheema
Phone Number
(559) 550-2080
Website
https://www.cityofkerman.gov/