Development Services Coordinator

The City of Palm Desert provides exemplary and sustainable services, amenities and programs for the benefit of the local and surrounding communities. When you interact with a City employee, you will find our collaborative, driven and efficient staff working together to provide strategic solutions for the community and each other. We are a city focused on external and internal customer service and try to find a way to say "yes," while not compromising the City's or our own integrity. Our efforts are guided by our core values: Integrity Stewardship Service Community Innovation Teamwork Our employees are passionate about innovation, collaboration and growth, which is supported by the City's Council and Executive Team. We are an environment that thrives on making changes, pivoting quickly, and is full of movers and shakers. We are constantly striving to improve processes and better our approach so that we can better support the needs of the City. If you have growth mindset and find change exciting, the City of Palm Desert may be your ideal working environment!

THE OPPORTUNITY

Join the City's Development Services team as a Development Services Coordinator and play a central role in bringing impactful projects to life. This exciting opportunity is ideal for a collaborative and solutions-driven professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys working across departments, guiding complex development projects, improving processes, and delivering exceptional service to the community. Appointment to this position is expected to fall within the salary range of $88,878 to $102,856 ; however, the final amount will be carefully determined based on the candidate's knowledge, skills, qualifications, and an evaluation of internal equity within the organization. Exceptional candidates with highly relevant experience and credentials may be considered for compensation above the anticipated hiring range. Under general direction, serves as a senior-level technical lead and project coordination within the Development Services Center responsible for leading and managing high-priority or complex development projects from initial intake through final approval. This position functions as a bridge between day-to-day permit technician work and broader process optimization, technology implementation, and project coordination. The Development Services Coordinator plays a key role in improving operational efficiency, ensuring cross-departmental coordination, and providing exceptional customer service to developers, residents, businesses, and partner agencies. Ensures areas of responsibility comply with relevant laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations; reports any compliance irregularities to their supervisor; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives supervision from assigned supervisory or management staff. Does not directly or indirectly supervise other professional staff but may provide technical and functional direction over, and provides training to, lower-level staff.

This journey-level classification in the Permit Technician class series is distinguished by responsibility for advanced technical work, complex project coordination, and independent decision-making. Incumbents perform the most specialized duties requiring professional-level knowledge of municipal permitting, land development, building and engineering concepts, planning, licensing, and regulatory compliance. Positions at this level typically receive direction only on new, unusual, or complex matters and serve as technical experts across multiple disciplines. The role requires a comprehensive understanding of municipal regulatory processes and the ability to coordinate effectively with internal departments and external agencies. The Development Services Coordinator functions as a central liaison for cross-functional teams, applicants, and partner agencies to ensure timely, compliant project delivery. The position leads process improvement initiatives, supports permitting system optimization, delivers staff training, and develops performance metrics to enhance operational efficiency and customer service. Working with a high degree of independence, incumbent exercises sound judgment, identifies operational challenges, and recommends solutions. The role may include direct engagement with executive leadership, including presentations to the City Manager or City Council, and contributes to a collaborative, service-oriented workplace culture. This position plays a key role in advancing departmental initiatives, implementing new technologies, and monitoring performance benchmarks aligned with organizational goals. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Provide advanced technical support within the Development Services Department, applying comprehensive knowledge of municipal permitting, licensing, business regulations, project management, and the expertise of a permit technician to efficiently process permits. Independently manage high-priority or sensitive development applications from intake through final approval, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, codes, and regulations. Deliver exceptional customer service and high-level support to internal teams, applicants, contractors, and external stakeholders throughout the development review and permitting processes. Train, mentor, and guide staff on departmental procedures, software systems, and customer service best practices to enhance team effectiveness and ensure compliance with policies. Implement and refine processes and procedures to improve operational efficiency, service delivery, and customer satisfaction, including continuous evaluation and adoption of best practices. Lead or support cross-functional collaboration among City departments, external agencies, applicants, and contractors to facilitate timely and compliant project approvals. Manage assigned high-priority or complex development projects from application intake through final approval, ensuring all regulatory requirements are met and work products are delivered within established timelines. Establish project objectives, set milestones, and determine methodologies for efficient processing and review of permits, licenses, and development activities. Utilize data analysis and performance metrics to monitor progress, evaluate service delivery, identify inefficiencies, and recommend improvements. Oversee the use, configuration, and enhancement of permitting software and other technical systems to support departmental workflows and reporting needs. Prepare detailed technical and administrative reports, correspondence, and presentations for management, City leadership, and external stakeholders. Operate with minimal supervision, exercising sound judgment and independent decision-making while seeking guidance on novel or complex issues. Maintain thorough knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, ordinances, and City policies to ensure compliance across all projects and services. Participate in the development and monitoring of budgets, fee schedules, and resource allocation to support department goals. Assist with conflict resolution, providing clear communication and effective solutions for inquiries and concerns raised by the public, contractors, and other stakeholders. Contribute to a positive, collaborative team environment by fostering professional relationships and supporting colleagues across departments. Participates in creating, establishing and monitoring the addressing system for both new and existing buildings. Performs duties of a disaster services worker in event of an emergency. Performs related duties as assigned. Comprehensive knowledge of municipal planning, permitting, zoning, and development review processes. Thorough understanding of applicable local, state, and federal codes, ordinances, and regulations related to development, business licensing, short-term rentals, and cannabis operations. Proficiency in project coordination, process improvement methodologies, and change management principles. Strong skills in providing exceptional public-facing customer service within a municipal government context. Experience with permitting, licensing, and land management software systems. Ability to track data, develop and analyze performance metrics, and generate detailed reports for management and stakeholders. Familiarity with municipal government structure, interdepartmental workflows, and regulatory compliance. Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and regulatory requirements. Expertise in fee collection processes, budgeting, and financial reporting relevant to permitting and licensing services. Effective conflict resolution skills to address inquiries, concerns, and complaints from the public, contractors, and other stakeholders. Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with architects, contractors, engineers, business owners, and internal teams. Knowledge of automated permitting systems, including system modification, software implementation, and staff training on new tools and processes. Understanding of confidentiality, ethics, and best practices in handling sensitive information in accordance with public records laws. Ability to develop training materials and lead staff through software and process transitions while minimizing disruption. Skilled in change management, ensuring successful adoption of new systems and continuous improvement initiatives. Ability to prepare clear and concise documentation, training guides, and technical reports to support department operations.

Ability to:

Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, ordinances, and City policies relevant to planning, permitting, zoning, and development services. Independently manage, coordinate, and improve permitting and development processes from application intake through final issuance, ensuring regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and timely completion. Read, interpret, and explain provisions of building, land use, zoning, engineering, and environmental codes, as well as plans, maps, aerial photographs, and legal descriptions; evaluate project-specific characteristics and ensure conformance with applicable standards. Analyze and evaluate workflows, identify process inefficiencies, and recommend and implement improvements that enhance service delivery and customer experience. Review and ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance of permit applications, construction documents, and development plans with applicable laws, regulations, and City requirements. Lead cross-functional teams and serve as a liaison between departments, outside agencies, applicants, and stakeholders to facilitate permitting and resolve issues; communicate effectively with City Council members and other elected officials, demonstrating political acumen and professionalism. Develop and monitor performance metrics and KPIs, compile and analyze data to identify trends, and prepare detailed administrative and technical reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders. Train, mentor, and provide technical guidance to permit staff, ensuring consistency in application of codes, policies, procedures, and use of permitting systems. Demonstrate proficiency in permit tracking systems, GIS platforms, Microsoft Office Suite, and other relevant software to manage data, analyze information, and support decision-making. Compose and prepare well-organized, clear, and concise written materials, including reports, summaries, correspondence, and policy documents. Exercise sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential or sensitive information and in resolving complex or escalated customer service issues. Maintain accurate and detailed records and databases, perform precise arithmetic and statistical computations, and ensure document control and data integrity. Prioritize and manage multiple projects and tasks under tight deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volume environment, demonstrating flexibility, initiative, and strong organizational skills. Establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with co-workers, applicants, contractors, elected officials, and external agencies; model professionalism and collaboration across all interactions.

Education and Experience:

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in, public relations, business administration, planning, engineering, construction management, public administration, or a related field; AND Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in a municipal development, permitting, or planning environment with a focus on customer service and process coordination. Experience with permitting or land management software is preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license by the time of appointment may be required for certain assignments. ICC Permit Technician certification is highly desirable. Physical Demands Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City and meeting sites (if required of the assignment); vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds with the use of proper equipment. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals on a case-by-case basis. Environmental Elements Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.