The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Ciambor as the new Director of the CBJ Community Development Department (CDD). Ciambor is no stranger to public service – he has spent the last five years as Planning Manager. Ciambor’s first day in his new role was Monday, April 27.

“Mr. Ciambor’s passion for and experience in creating an environment that facilitates the development of housing will be a great asset to CBJ as we navigate our housing crisis in the years ahead,” says CBJ City Manager, Katie Koester. “We look forward to his leadership in the role of Community Development Director.”

Originally from Laurel, Maryland, Ciambor moved to Juneau with his family in 2007. Ciambor was drawn to roles that seek to address Juneau’s housing challenges after seeing the impacts firsthand as a teacher at Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School.  “I had one class where six of eight students were unhoused,” he recalls. “It felt like housing and homelessness were the key issues in community that I wanted to work on… and I have ever since.”

Prior to serving as Planning Manager, Ciambor worked as the worked as the CBJ Chief Housing Officer for six years, during which he led the implementation of the Housing Action Plan, including the CBJ Mobile Home Down Payment Assistance Program, Accessory Apartment Incentive Grant Program, Juneau Affordable Housing Fund, and COVID-19 Short-Term Rental Assistance Program.  His professional experience also includes work in local economic development and state planning.

In his new role, Director Ciambor looks forward working with the CDD staff to provide continuity and build on the new opportunities for development associated with more modern permitting software, the rewrite of Title 49, and the community-sourced Comprehensive Plan update, which will set the stage for the next 20 years.

“From our building inspectors to the long-range planners,” notes Ciambor, “The CDD team provides a great – if behind the scenes – service with the health and safety of the community in mind.”

Director Ciambor replaces Jill Lawhorne who concluded 10 years of dedicated service to the people of Juneau, more than seven of those as Director, this spring. During this time, Director Lawhorne played a key role in strengthening the CDD team, advancing modernization of permitting systems, and building support for major long-range planning efforts, including the update to the comprehensive plan and the revision of the Land Use Code.

For more information, contact [email protected].