Director of Community Development

The City of Commerce City seeks a talented, credible leader with good judgment to serve as its next Director of Community Development.

Commerce City, Colorado, is conveniently located just eight miles north of downtown Denver in Adams County.  A safe, diverse, and welcoming community of 62,418, Commerce City residents experience a high quality of life with affordable housing, abundant recreational opportunities, prosperous businesses, world-class healthcare, and all the amenities metropolitan Denver has to offer.  The City’s median household income is $87,354 and the median home price is $519,000. Commerce City continually strives to live up to its motto: “A Quality Community for a Lifetime.”

Commerce City is a home-rule City operating under a council-manager form of government. The City Council is comprised of nine members, including the Mayor, with four ward representatives and four at-large members serving four-year, staggered terms.

The Department of Community Development’s mission is to guide the orderly growth and development of Commerce City and to maintain an attractive and healthy place to live, work, and play.  This department revises City plans and codes; promotes environmental and sustainability practices in the community that protect and restore water quality, air quality, and public health; and supports the growth of the City using a net-zero approach, strengthened by amendments to the building code, that encourage the use of sustainable materials.  Community Development also addresses the full spectrum of housing needs through creative initiatives to accommodate quality of living and demand with a balanced solution.

Reporting to the Assistant City Manager – External Services, the Director of Community Development provides leadership and vision to the City by developing and implementing community development initiatives to improve organizational effectiveness and provide a quality community. The Director of Community Development has an overall responsibility for the community development, planning, permitting, community wellbeing program, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, and code enforcement for the City, as well as supervision of the housing and resident services manager for the housing authority. This position also provides strategic direction to align the Department with the vision and goals of the City.

The ideal candidate will have a high level of business acumen. They will be supportive of staff and build relationships with others, understanding the other City Departments’ connections to Development. They will utilize emotional intelligence to navigate political and organizational priorities. The chosen Director of Community Development will be self-motivated, with a focus on execution. They will understand permit review/processing and Western water issues. Proven and effective leadership skills to establish and implement the Department’s structure and processes, including lines of authority and communication channels, are critical.

A bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public administration, community development, or a related field, plus 10 years of experience in municipal city planning, community development, building permitting and inspection, housing programs, and code enforcement, is required. Candidates must also have at least seven years in a management capacity and must possess a valid driver’s license. AICP Certification is preferred. A master’s degree in a related field is preferred.

The City of Commerce City is offering a starting salary range of $124,562-$168,159 for this position, with a full range to $211,756, depending on experience and qualifications.

Apply online

For more information on this position contact:

Larry Gilley, Senior Vice President

[email protected]

325-660-4208