Director, Development Services

Director Of Development Services

The Port of San Diego is seeking a director to lead current planning and project review for the Development Services Department. Unlike other public agencies, the Port has no residential, general commercial, or general office development. The Port is a commercial real estate and maritime industrial seaport. We do some of our best work on behalf of the State of California through public private partnerships with our over 800 lessees, sublessees, licensees, and development partners. The Director of Development Services is an important leadership position and is responsible for timely processing the environmental review and permitting for a wide variety of Port tenant and engineering projects. Virtually every action the Port takes is discretionary and therefore, the Director must have exceptional judgment acting as a reasonable and emotionally intelligent representative of the Port.

Telecommuting is not available for this position. Under general direction, supervises the work of professional, technical and administrative staff and oversees multiple aspects of the Port's short-range planning programs, Port and tenant project review, business operations, budget administration, and contract management; directs and oversees analysis and recommendations regarding implementation of the Port's master plan; acts as a complement and substitute for the Vice President; directs and monitors environmental reviews of Port and tenant projects; facilitates the resolution of issues between key stakeholders; monitors and ensures compliance with applicable policies, laws including but not limited to the Coastal Act and California Environmental Quality Act, approvals, permits, conditions, and requirements of regulatory agencies and the Port; represents the Port; acts as a liaison in high-level interactions; and performs other duties as assigned. This position meets one or more of the criteria for the unclassified service as outlined in San Diego Unified Port District Act Section 72.5(b), and as such is exempted from the classified service.

The Director of Development Services is a management level position working under the Vice President. The incumbent is responsible for leading the Development Services department and implementing and executing departmental operational goals and objectives. Responsibilities require independent judgment on issues that are complex, interpretive, and evaluative in nature. Responsibilities and assignments require a thorough understanding of Port and department policies, practices and procedures, and involve significant accountability and high-level decision making. The incumbent plans and formulates detailed division plans and budgets, directs and manages the development of annual work programs and objectives, and monitors and ensures compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The incumbent is assigned highly complex and specialized responsibilities requiring advanced professional-level knowledge of the goals, objectives and technical requirements of short-range planning and Port and tenant project review. Responsibilities are broad in scope, requiring strategic vision and thinking and allowing for a high degree of policy, program and administrative discretion, and are evaluated in terms of overall effectiveness of the department's plans, policies and services.

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

• Directs, plans, supervises and evaluates key strategic initiatives of the Development Services department; analyzes, implements and monitors work plans to achieve the department mission, goals and performance measures; monitors performance against the department's budget; leads business operations, short-range planning, regulatory compliance, and Port and tenant project review for the Port; develops and implement plans, policies, systems and procedures applicable to Development Services.
• Directs, analyzes and evaluates the performance of department staff; establishes performance requirements for department staff and professional development targets; regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development; prepares performance evaluations and reviews individual evaluations with staff; recommends merit increases and other rewards to recognize performance; recommends disciplinary action to address performance deficiencies, in accordance with the Port's Personnel Rules and Regulations and labor contract provisions.
• Provides leadership, direction and support with department staff to develop and retain highly competent, service-oriented staff through selection, training and day-to-day management that supports the Port's and department's mission, objectives and service expectations; oversees and administers ongoing department training; provides leadership and participates in programs and activities that promote workplace diversity and a positive environment for employee relations.
• Serves as a Port representative and acts as a liaison in interactions with other industry and governmental agencies, tenants, Port member cities, professional organizations, community groups and elected officials on departmental issues; plans, organizes, facilitates and manages planning activities with other governmental agencies; and serves as the Port's representative on local, regional and national associations of interest to the Port's mission.
• Plans, develops, analyzes, and conducts program outreach and promotional activities for departmental programs; develops or directs development of information, outreach and educational materials; directs department staff to plan, organize and implement effective public relations goals and strategies; oversees staff presentations to tenants and community, neighborhood, business and school groups; plans initiatives to encourage public participation in departmental programs.
• Plans, implements and manages complex land use and environmental plans, projects and programs; plans, directs and oversees environmental reviews of Port and tenant development projects; directs and monitors review activities to ensure projects' compliance with all relevant federal, state and local laws, regulations, codes and Port policies and procedures.
• Directs, oversees development of, develops, reviews and approves a variety of reports, documents and correspondence related to environmental and land use planning, such as technical reports, including findings and recommendations regarding projects, agenda sheets, exempt status and categorical determinations and environmental documentation for Port and tenant projects, including negative declarations and mitigated negative declarations; oversees the compilation of land use and environmental data and reviews data to ensure accuracy and completeness; oversees or participates in reviewing and assessing and commenting on consultant and other pertinent reports and documents related to development or environmental impact, such as historical surveys and traffic, geo-technical and biological studies; oversees or participates in developing presentation materials and presents projects and studies to the Board of Port Commissioners and other appropriate sources.
• Provides expert professional assistance and guidance to Port officials and managers on the Port's master plan and economic and environmental planning; provides expertise and recommendations to the Board of Port Commissioners regarding planning issues; advises and counsels the Port's officers and department heads concerning planning issues and multi-disciplinary information reports that include highly technical and specialized information and data related to areas such as land use, transportation, noise, air and water quality, economics, sociology and geology; meets with Port division and department heads to coordinate planning activities.
• Implements and oversees the Port Master Plan with respect to short-range planning; plans and manages activities and processes to obtain approval of Port Master Plan Amendments by the Board of Port Commissioners and certification by the California Coastal Commission; manages and supervises the preparation of and develops analyses and makes recommendations regarding the Port Master Plan and other related plans.
• Directs and monitors reviews of Port and tenant development projects to ensure compliance with California Environmental Quality Act, California Coastal Act (Coastal Act), and other relevant federal, state and local laws, regulations, codes and Port policies and procedures; identifies issues and resolves or facilitates appropriate resolution; manages and oversees issuance of coastal development permits consistent with the Coastal Act, San Diego Unified Port Act and the Port Master Plan.
• Develops and administers consultant contracts; negotiates; drafts contract language; awards or recommends awarding of contracts, selecting appropriate consultants; monitors and evaluates contract compliance, including contract invoices; assesses, identifies and facilitates complete resolution of non-compliance issues.
• Researches and identifies potential sources for, secures and administers grant and loan funding from governmental agencies, foundations and other funding sources.
• Oversees and monitors the project review and approval of Port and tenant development projects to ensure compliance with Board Policies including Board Policy No. 357, tenant lease requirements, and relevant federal, state and local laws, regulations, codes and Port policies and procedures; identifies issues and resolves or facilitates appropriate resolution with project applicants; coordinates with other governmental agencies to facilitate and resolve permitting and jurisdictional issues; maintains an awareness of and incorporates training regarding asset management developments and best practices, including regulatory requirements for federal and state environmental laws, ADA requirements and Port stormwater collection policies; develops and recommends revisions and improvements to department project approval guidelines and pertinent Port policies and procedures including Board Policy No. 355 and 357; manages other Port projects as needed; and administers the department budget including managing associated staff as needed.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of historically marginalized groups and participates in professional development activities to increase cultural competency to enhance diversity, equity-minded practices and belonging within the Port.

Other duties may include acting as Vice President in that individual's absence, participating in regional, state and national industry and professional meetings and conferences to maintain a current understanding of trends and technology related to Port operations, particularly in areas of assigned accountability, and may be assigned disaster service worker responsibilities as directed.

Knowledge of advances principles, practices, concepts and techniques used in developing and executing public administration, budget and financial planning, contracting and maintenance of public records; theories, advanced principles, laws, practices and techniques related to land use, urban and environmental planning, environmental compliance, and business operations; expert advisor to the Vice President regarding department business practices, division functions and emerging trends and issues; advanced social, political and environmental issues influencing planning program