Community Development Director

Pay Grade:               122

Job Code:                TBD

FLSA Status:           Exempt

JOB SUMMARY

This person in this position is responsible for planning, directing and administering all activities related to Community and Development Services. This includes the downtown development, historic preservation, planning, development services, building inspections, Main Street and code compliance.

The ideal candidate will be able to set the tone and culture in the Department, build a high-functioning motivated workforce, attract and retain excellent employees, and mentor and develop staff; build confidence and trust in the Department, nourish and foster relationships with the Mayor, City Council, the City Manager, other City departments, and with the community, developers, other agencies, and key stakeholders; and Use key performance indicators to set department goals and track progress, learn from past mistakes and take corrective action, and improve overall department efficiency and responsiveness..

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Provides leadership through planning, organizing, directing and supervising all activities of the department to achieve goals related to studies within available resources;
• Reviews all existing department processes and makes enhancement or new processes as appropriate;
• Standardizes procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the operations of the department;
• Coordinates department activities with other departments and agencies as needed;
• Supervises department staff, including selecting or recommending selection, establishing staffing standards, organizing training, assigning and evaluating work, coaching and counseling, discipline up to and including termination, and preparing periodic employee performance evaluations;
• Exercises discretion and independent judgment regarding preparation and expending the division budget based on staffing and resource requirements and program objectives and goals;
• Monitors the budget to assure compliance with approved budget levels and standards;
• Researches grant programs and prepares grant applications; oversees and administers grants;
• Leads the City’s Main Street division, Planning and Zoning, Building Department, and Code Enforcement;
• Manages assigned contracts and program areas to achieve goals within available resources; reviews progress of contracts and holds contractors accountable for terms of contracts;
• Represents the City in various state and national professional associations; Makes presentations to elected officials and community members;
• Attends evening meetings and occasional weekend events;
• Attends training, seminars and conferences, and conducts research to stay abreast of legislation and trends; and
• Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Public Administration, Economic Development or related field; Master’s degree preferred; ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in Planning, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience, including five (5) or more years of supervisory or management experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of management and supervisory practices and principles;
• Knowledge of fiscal management, including budget preparation, expenditure control and record keeping;
• Knowledge of grant procedures;
• Knowledge of Georgia zoning procedures;
• Skill in effectively supervising and motivating staff;
• Ability to develop and oversee budgets;
• Ability to facilitate public input processes and public meetings;
• Ability to mediate disputes and bring groups with opposing goals to resolution on issues in order to move forward with a project;
• Ability to draft, negotiate and oversee contract administration and to work with contractors to enter into agreements on behalf of the City and monitor work performed under contracts;
• Ability to make effective written and oral presentations;
• Ability to develop goals and long range plans for the department;
• Ability to analyze and evaluate departmental operations and develop and implement plans to improve departmental efficiency;
• Ability to manage multiple projects at one time; and
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Knowledge of the operation GIS and GPS software applications;
• Knowledge of mapping principles, database management, map automation and analysis; and
• Knowledge of database and file management systems;
• Knowledge of the City’s comprehensive plan, Georgia Planning Act, Georgia DCA minimum standards, and ARC regional policies;
• Knowledge of CDBG program policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of development regulations concerning land use and environmental matters; and
• Knowledge of SPLOST, intergovernmental and contractual agreements and provisions.

CERTIFICATIONS:

• Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or equivalent professional accreditation in a related field is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is medium work and requires balancing, climbing, crouching, fingering, grasping, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, reaching, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

WORK ENVIRONMENT       

The incumbent works in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.