Community Development Director

Community Development Director

Under general administrative direction of the City Manager, plans, directs, manages, and oversees the activities and operations of the Community Development Department including planning / zoning, code compliance, building & safety, neighborhood preservation / block grants and administration; assures that department activities are in compliance with state and Federal regulations and City policies and procedures. Serves as the City Planner; coordinates assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Manager.

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and / or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

As Department Director

• Assumes full management responsibility for all Community Development Department services and activities including planning / zoning, code compliance, building & safety, neighborhood preservation / block grants, and administration.
• Manages the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, and priorities for each assigned service area; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Establishes, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocates resources accordingly.
• Assesses and monitors work load, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs and implements changes.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates, through subordinate level staff, the Community Development Department's work plan; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures; meets with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Supervise the work of contract consultants retained to provide particular expertise in project studies, design or management. Participate in, or manage the selection, hiring and development of contracts with consulting firms.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the department budget; approves the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
• Resolves complex and sensitive customer service issues for the Department, either personally, by telephone or in writing; responds to local citizens inquiring about community development, planning and zoning, facilities and other programs, regulations, and ordinances.
• Oversees the permitting functions of the Department, including application, fee assessment and collection, application and plan review, permit issuance, inspection, and occupancy.
• Prepares and processes necessary Ordinances and Resolutions for legislative consideration and adoption.
• Prepares and administers consultant contracts and ensures the maintenance of accurate and complete records of Department activities and of records relating to licenses, permits, maps, blueprints, overlays and plans.
• Oversees all Department functions including the enforcement of a variety of codes, including the Municipal Code, Uniform Building Code, Uniform Mechanical Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Electrical Code, Uniform Fire Code, Uniform Housing Code, Uniform Abatement of Dangerous Buildings Code, and other local codes such as the property maintenance ordinance.
• Oversees the City's Neighborhood Preservation Programs including housing rehabilitation grants and loans and first time homebuyer program.
• Oversees the City's code compliance and acts as the City's Administrative Review Officer for appeal matters.
• Oversees the Community Development Block Grant and other state and federal grant programs as assigned.
• Provides staff assistance to the City Manager; provides professional advice to City Council, City Manager and department directors; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Represents the Community Development Department to other departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; coordinates assigned activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
• Explains, justifies, and defends department programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
• Participates on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; makes presentations to City Council, boards, commissions and the general public.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the field of community development; incorporates new developments as appropriate.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

As City Planner

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and / or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of

Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive community development program.

Principles and practices of governmental administration in relation to City planning, code compliance, building & safety, and other assigned programs and services.

Advanced principles and practices of program development and administration.

Zoning laws and comprehensive plans including their formation, process of adoption, and enforcement.

Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

GIS applications.

Community Development Block Grant and other urban development programs.

Urban design theory and architectural and landscape design principals.

Both written and oral communications for effective expression of ideas and concepts.

Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.

Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.

Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Ability to

Manage and direct a comprehensive community development program including planning, code compliance, and building & safety activities.

Prepare and analyze comprehensive and technical documents, agreements, reports, and data.

Develop and present operational summaries, analytic findings, recommendations, and proposals.

Develop and administer departmental goals, objectives, and procedures.

Analyze and assess programs, policies, and operational needs and make appropriate adjustments.

Identify and respond to sensitive community and organizational issues, concerns, and needs.

Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of lower level staff.

Delegate authority and responsibility.

Select, supervise, train, mentor and evaluate staff.

Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.

Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.

Apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership.

Exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution.

Exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.

Collect, analyze, and exploit representative performance data.

Identify and track key performance metrics and establish targets.

Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.

Prepare and administer large and complex budgets.

Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines

Education / Training