Public Works Director Rebecca Bjork was chosen as Santa Barbara’s interim community development director, and will serve in that role while the city recruits to find a permanent replacement for the position. 

Bjork has served as director of the city’s Public Works Department for six years, and manages the water and wastewater utilities, street maintenance, capital projects, downtown parking, citywide fleet services, and facility maintenance. 

The Community Development Department manages the city’s planning and permitting, housing, and building and safety services. 

“I am excited to have a chance to work with the community development team,” Bjork told Noozhawk. “Our focus will be evaluating the recommendations of the Novak report and implementing appropriate process changes.”

Its previous director, George Buell, resigned in June after working at the city for six years.  

Buell’s departure came less than a week after Noozhawk’s investigative report into issues with the department and pressure on City Administrator Paul Casey to make changes.  

Bjork’s interim role starts Aug. 3, and City Engineer Brian D’Amour will serve as department head for Public Works, city spokeswoman Nina Johnson said Thursday.

Johnson also said the city is planning a recruitment process to fill the Community Development Department director position. 

— Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.