CD Specialist Land Bank

Under general direction, performs major daily and project/program based administrative duties. Recommends and administers divisional/departmental policies and procedures. Prepares regular and special reports related to divisional/departmental operations. Performs other job-related duties as required.A High School Diploma or GED is required. A Bachelor's Degree in Business/Public Relations or closely related field from a four-year accredited college or university is required. Two years of full time paid expeience in government or private industry office administration is required. (Substitution: Two years of full time experience may substitute for each year of college education lacking.) Must be able to operate a personal computer with Microsoft Office Suites.
Our Vision
The Department of Community Development envisions a Cleveland where stakeholders are empowered to build the pathway to equity. This vision is realized by creating quality housing and vibrant neighborhoods that serve as the foundation for generational wealth and community prosperity.
About CD
The Department of Community Development is the City’s core unit dedicated to designing and implementing programs that help to improve our neighborhoods, community networks, and social
structures. To reduce and mitigate safety and health risks related to occupied and vacant properties, and coordinate with internal government units and external parties to help address housing shortfalls and homelessness matters. Our mission is to improve the quality of life in the City of Cleveland by strengthening our neighborhoods through successful housing rehabilitation efforts, commercial rehabilitation efforts, new housing construction, homeownership, and community focused human services. As a result, CD is the City’s lead department for implementation of more than $30 million in annual funding received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Program.
CD consists of the following primary operating units (OUs):

• Division of Program Operations;
• Division of Community Programming;
• Division of Residential Improvement;
• Office of Housing Security and Homelessness Prevention;
• Division of Enterprise Operations;
• Division of Property Reutilization; and
• Division of Housing Development.

Each of the above OUs are led by Bureau Chiefs except for the Office of Housing Security and Homelessness Prevention.

Job Description
We are looking for a dedicated, intentional, and hard-working individual who seeks to make a difference in the redevelopment of and access to Cleveland’s publicly owned land. This position will be a part of the Land Bank Office team in the Department of Community Development’s Neighborhood Revitalization Bureau. The Land Bank Office is designed to administer vacant land access to individuals, developers, and non-profit organizations for redevelopment for various uses including yard expansion, infill development, green infrastructure, urban agriculture and community gardens. The goal of the land bank is to contribute to the economic, social, and environmental betterment of Cleveland through the redevelopment of City-owned land.

As a part of a team, this individual will be expected to provide excellent customer service, process and troubleshoot applications from start to finish, and manage communication with various stakeholders including residents, applicants, partner organizations including Community Development Corporations, Council staff and other City Departments. The individual will also collaborate with staff in the Neighborhood Revitalization Bureau to design redevelopment opportunities that build upon a community’s existing assets in order to preserve and enhance vibrant, thriving neighborhoods.

Additional Departmental Duties
We aim to reform the land bank disposition process to redevelop the city's extensive land bank sites from a liability to the best and highest use assets that meet community needs. Project Coordinators will play an impactful role in the transformation of this office.
Top candidates will have experience working in cloud-based databases, will have excellent customer service experience, will be highly organized and communicative, and will have an understanding of equitable development principles.
Under the direction of the Bureau Chief of Neighborhood Development, project coordinators assist in the day-to-day operations of the Land Reutilization Program (“Land Bank”). Performs specific job-related duties such as:

• Processes and tracks applications.
• Supports administrative functions related to property transfers
• Coordinates and communicates efforts with internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinates research and responses to property inquiries and requests made by City departments as well as the public.
• Assists with the development of processes that position and make land available, based on City initiatives, strategies, and goals that are independent to the department, or in coordination with other City departments and partner organizations.
• Researches best practices for land access, land banking and equitable development.
• Maintains records and generate reports.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Additional and Preferred Department Qualifications

• Has an open mind and a desire to grow
• Understanding and experience with real estate development and disposition strategies.
• An understanding of Real Estate terminology and the process for conveyance of real estate.
• Working knowledge of Real Property documents such as deeds, easements, etc.
• Experience with ArcGIS.
• A strong commitment to advancing equity, sustainability, racial justice, and familiarity with Asset Based Community Development strategies
• Ability to think creatively and innovatively problem-solve
• Ability to effectively communicate both written and orally
• Ability to create meeting agendas and efficiently facilitate meetings
• Ability to gather and analyze data, and evaluate program outcomes
• Ability to manage tasks and track progress with larger projects
• Ability to build rapport, establish trust, and collaborate with diverse groups of people
• An understanding of community dynamics, cultural sensitivities, and the ability to empathize with diverse perspectives

The City's guiding principles are as follows: Placing Clevelanders at the Center, Empowering Employees to Do Purposeful Work, Defining Clear and Pragmatic Objectives, Leading with Trust and Transparency, Striving for Equity in All We Do, and Embracing Change. All City employees are responsible for embracing and carrying out these principles in all that they do.

Salary : $50,000 - $55,000