City of Bakersfield - Economic and Community Development Director

Job Description

Bakersfield is where southern California meets the Central Valley and is the government, retail, commercial and population hub of Kern County. A significant hub for both agriculture and energy production, and ranks in the top five most productive agricultural counties in the nation. These core industries, available work force, abundant and affordable housing options, and proximity to California’s major markets and recreational amenities are some of the reasons more people are choosing to live in Bakersfield. The City is a major urban area with major urban amenities, yet residents and visitors alike comment on how welcoming the people are, which is not surprising given the city was founded on hospitality.

The Economic & Community Development Director (ECDD) will be the City of Bakersfield’s champion and advocate, proactively focusing on the City’s long-term comprehensive economic development strategy and implementation of a previously approved Economic Opportunity Area Plan. Reporting to the City Manager’s Office, the ECDD will administer and manage the City’s economic and community development activities, homelessness services function, and coordination of activities with other governmental agencies, private sector developers, and lending institutions. Management of projects and initiatives that result in tangible economic development, commercial revitalization, and genuine community engagement is critical to this position as is addressing homelessness in a meaningful capacity.

This position requires five years of increasingly responsible experience in economic development, community development, redevelopment, or closely related field. The ideal candidate will have at least two years of management or supervisory experience that has included significant operational and administrative responsibilities. Equivalency to a Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in Business/Public Administration, Economics, Urban Planning, or a closely related field is required. A Master’s degree in the above fields of study and/or an economic development-related certification is highly desirable. The annual salary range is $153,369 - $186,435 annually, DOQ (with a 5% salary increase effective July 2024). To be considered, please visit the Avery Associates Career Portal to upload your letter of interest, resume and contact information including email addresses for five work-related references to Bill Avery. This position is open until filled, with a first review of resumes scheduled for early December.