Community Impact & Enhancement Director

The director is committed to building a robust Community Impact department that focuses on rehabilitating and rebuilding existing neighborhoods, fostering strong relationships within our community, enhancing collaboration, increasing local affordable housing opportunities and implementing sustainable development projects that meet the needs of our residents. Under the director's leadership, the department prioritizes inclusivity and engagement, while providing strong enforcement balanced with an equitable distribution of resources.This list may not include all tasks and/or knowledge which may be expected of the employee, nor does it cover all specific duties which may be required. Other duties may be assigned. 

• Creates, maintains, preserves, and provides affordable, safe housing opportunities, programs, and services. Build a robust, innovative housing preservation and rehabilitation program to preserve and protect existing housing stock. 
• Actively build programs and initiatives that reduce the local affordable housing shortage by creatively utilize existing city resources and local and national incentives.
• Develop existing neighborhoods into active, engaged communities that create a sense of place for existing residents. 
• Develops and ensures employees under his/her direction are highly trained in providing superior customer service and understand department goals, objectives and priorities. 
• Builds and maintains relationships with community members, local businesses, government officials, and other stakeholders to foster collaboration and support for development initiatives.
• Coordinates, plans, prepares, supervises and administers the City Community Development Block Grant program, JM Scott. Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA0 and other pertinent state and federal grant programs as available. Attends hearings, reviews budgets and coordinates with other State and Federal officials and agencies.
• Ensures the maintenance and preservation of existing structures through the enforcement of property maintenance codes and blight and nuisance abatement programs.
• Supervises the Downtown Development team charged with managing downtown events and building a supportive business environment and culture with downtown owners and operators.
• Grant Writing and Fundraising: Identifies funding opportunities and writes grant proposals to secure financial resources for community development projects.
• Research and Analysis: Conducts assessments and research to identify community needs, trends, and opportunities for development. Leads and manages the community impact evaluation process of the department to ensure successful program outcomes and effective outcome-based strategies.
• Continues working with community partners to promote the development of affordable, safe rental properties and enhance homeownership opportunities.
• Strengthens and expands local partnerships that provide basic and enhanced services to those experiencing homelessness.
• Builds and manages high-level relationships with community stakeholders. Represents the City of Bloomington at external events and community tables/committees, while educating stakeholders about community needs and solutions.
• Initiates new strategies to share information with the public about the City services, programs, and events provided by the Community Impact & Enhancement Department.
• Provides leadership to develop and retain highly competent public service-oriented staff through selection, compensation, training and day -to-day management practices that support the City’s mission and values.
• Supervises preparation of department’s budgets (municipal and federal), monitors progress and expenditures to ensure monies are properly administered in compliance with city policies and federal/state laws and regulations.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Oversees the Community Impact Division, Administrative Programs Division, Community Enhancement Division, and the Grants Management Division. Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these areas.  Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the City’s policies and applicable laws.  Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems in consultation with subordinate staff and Human Resources. 
Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the City’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems in consultation with subordinate staff and Human Resources. General Skill Levels

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices and theories of Urban Planning, Community/Economic Development and Design, and zoning/subdivision design. 
• Applicable state, federal and local laws, regulations and ordinances. 
• Comprehensive knowledge of laws and proper procedures, methods, and techniques in housing rehabilitation, urban renewal and community development, housing standards, and building and property maintenance standards.
• HUD requirements, zoning, planning and code enforcement knowledge and ability to interpret federal program regulations, construction codes, etc., so that they are administered fairly and consistently within the guidelines, and without compromise, without conflict, and within the intent of laws.
• Economic development opportunities and means of expanding the tax base by encouraging investment from both inside and outside of the community.

Skills in:

• Implementing department mission, goals, and procedures; determine needs for capital expenditures, personnel and operating budgets; and prepare special reports or analyses.  
• Utilizing a wide variety communication, demographic, workforce, labor market, etc. data and information.
• Providing effective leadership to subordinate personnel and to develop cooperative working relationships with employees, senior management, elected officials and developers.
• Maintaining positive professional relations and an informed community on regional issues. 
• Assisting local organizations, businesses and individuals with establishing economic and community development plans and projects.
• Resolving misunderstandings concerning code enforcement and required regulations associated with those code guidelines. 
• Directing a workforce of different personalities and interests to function as a team.

Education/Experience: 

• Required – Bachelor’s degree with coursework in Urban Planning; Public or Business Administration; Structural Engineering; Architectural; or Construction/Safety related fields.  Municipal planning experience which has included at least 5years at a supervisory or management level.  Equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.
• Preferred – Master’s degree in pertinent fields.  

Certificates and Licenses: 

• Illinois Driver’s License – required 

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment.  Work requires travel to other office locations and other agency facilities in town or around the state for meetings and training, as well as occasional visits to work sites.  Work includes attending meetings outside of normal work hours.  There are no extraordinary physical demands on this position other than incidental outdoor work including occasional oversight work in dusty, moist or humid conditions and in a range of outdoor temperatures.

Salary : $135,000 - $147,000