Cannabis City Cudahy Community Development Director Jobs

The City of Cudahy is actively seeking candidates for the position of Community Development Director who can lead the department and the City in the next steps of growth and development.

The Community and City Government

Cudahy is in the Gateway Cities region of southern Los Angeles County. This region is known for its industrial and manufacturing business sectors. Incorporated in 1960, Cudahy has a land area of just 1.18 square miles, making it the second smallest city in the county by land size. However, Cudahy has one of the highest population densities of any city throughout the United States with approximately 24,000 residents. The I-710 freeway provides easy access to downtown Los Angeles, coastal communities, and Orange County.

As a general law city, Cudahy City operates under the council-manager form of government with a five-member City Council. Councilmembers are elected at large with four-year terms and the City Manager implements the Council’s direction by providing oversight and direction to departments. The City has a positive financial position with a total operating budget of $19.6 million in FY 2021-22.

The Department and Position

The Community Development Department is an integral part of the City’s growth and development encompassing Economic Development; Planning; Building and Safety; and Housing. The Director will lead the City’s efforts to achieve its bold growth and development goals. Internally, the Director will engage the department’s current team of 6.5 FTE and prepare for increased department staffing over time. Externally, the City’s regional location has led to increased interest in business and housing development and the City is planning for significant opportunities in the near future.

Existing plans to upgrade the central commercial and retail Atlantic Avenue Corridor and the newly approved expansion of LA Metro Light Rail, along with a new entertainment zone will place a focus on economic development in the short and long term. In addition, there is an expectation of expanding an already established cannabis production industry.

The City is seeking a highly engaged community development professional capable of working with existing consultants in the development of an Economic Development Strategic Plan. Once set, the Director and department staff will be responsible for implementation and successful outcomes. In addition, the department will be responsible for transitioning from consultant-provided planning and building services to a new full-time staffed Associate Planner and overseeing the development of design guidelines.

Ideal Candidate

• Hands-on community development professional ready to build a successful team and realize the City’s potential.


• Strategic planner who can see the potential of the City and who is ready to help raise the City’s profile in the region.


• Will advocate for the residents of Cudahy and engage in regional planning with local agencies while maintaining the lens of equity.


• Is a demonstrated leader capable of building a new team with existing and new staff through coaching, mentoring, and training.

Qualifications and Experience

Qualified candidates will have a combination of education and experience including a degree from an accredited college or university in city or urban planning, architecture, civil engineering, business, public administration, or related field. A master’s degree in city planning, public administration, economics, or finance is highly desirable. Five years or recent and progressively responsible professional work experience in local planning, administration of planning, or economic development in a municipal planning environment, including two years of direct supervisory and management or administrative level. Ability to speak Spanish is highly desirable.

Salary and Benefits

Depending on qualifications, the salary range is $119,940 to $149,784, annually with an anticipated COLA increase in the next fiscal year. The City of Cudahy offers an array of desirable benefits including:

• CalPERS retirement for Classic or new CalPERS members. The City pays the employer share of the pension cost.


• Four days a week/ten hours a day work schedule


• Medical insurance with employer contribution equivalent to 100% of Kaiser


• Dental insurance representative of average premium amount between HMO and PPO


• Vision insurance with City contribution of 100% coverage


• Life insurance term policy at $100,000


• Short- and long-term disability insurance with 100% premium paid for by City


• Vacation leave for new employees accrued at 80 hours per year of service, plus 11 scheduled and one floating holiday


• Sick leave at 12 days per year; three days bereavement leave


• Executive leave of three days per fiscal year


• Educational reimbursement for 100% cost books, parking, and tuition in accordance with City terms


• Auto allowance of $350/month

We Welcome Your Interest

Candidates will be considered upon submission.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Questions may be directed to Nancy Hetrick of Management Partners via email: [email protected] or 408-437-5400.

Apply for this job with Management Partners

Apply now →

By clicking the "Apply now" button, you'll be leaving Fazow and going to an external job application page for this company. Please research all companies before applying. When applying for jobs, you should NOT have to pay to apply. Fazow accepts no liability or responsibility as a consequence of any reliance upon information on external sites or in jobs listed on fazow.com.