Director - Community Development

Nature of Work

Plans, organizes, and directs the activities of the Community Development Department including planning, zoning, permitting, inspecting and facilitating community partnerships to improve the quality of life for all residents, and enhance the City's economic, social, and cultural development in compliance with City, State, and Federal Laws and Regulations.

Environmental Factors

Work is performed in a standard office environment.

Work Situation Factors

FIRST CONSIDERATION MAY BE GIVEN TO CURRENT CITY OF LAS CRUCES EMPLOYEES WHO MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS.

Meeting or exceeding the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.

Full-time, exempt.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops and implements strategies and tactical goals to meet City strategic plans and objectives; reviews and approves complex solutions for Community Development issues; reviews strategies and resource requirements to determine program goals and deliverables; determines scope and priorities of projects; develops programs and policies to support present and future needs.
• Provides leadership, direction, and guidance to Department operations; evaluates and analyzes issues to recommend and implement solutions; identifies and monitors long and short range goals and objectives; manages Department performance and productivity; directs the continuous improvement of the work products; assures the overall integrity of the support and functionality of the Department; maintains current and accurate financial and resource information on Department operations.
• Monitors and reviews regional and national trends to recommend operational improvements; interprets user concerns, defines desired results, develops solutions, and recommends direction of new strategies; directs long range planning for municipal development that addresses growth and quality of life issues; assures effective communications with City executive management and other departments; assures compliance with state and federal policy and regulations.
• Develops, implements, and maintains comprehensive and cohesive permitting and inspection processes in a centralized location to serve the public, and business and building industries.
• Develops, implements, and monitors department budget, approves expenditures; prepares and reviews operational analyses of program costs, revenue streams, fees, and revenue enhancement opportunities; prepares and presents special and recurring reports to City Council, City Manager, Planning and Zoning Commission, other City departments, agencies, community groups, and the public.
• Manages, allocates, and coordinates numerous internal and external resources; assures effective communication of issues and strategies; serves as advisor and liaison between the City and various regional organizations and state and Federal agencies; participates in meetings with government officials and community groups.
• Manages and coordinates assigned staff through appropriate delegation and work supervision; develops goals, objectives, and priorities to appropriately assign resources, tasks, and projects; meets regularly with staff to discuss and resolve workload and other issues; reviews work in progress in order to anticipate technical and management problems; provides for proper training and development of staff; implements corrective actions, provides counseling, coaching, and conducts performance evaluations; provides leadership, direction, and guidance to ensure staff compliance with applicable policies and procedures.
• Serves as a member of the City's Management Team; coordinates with other units to integrate projects and develop policies and procedures; provides input to the management team to improve the level and quality of City services; participates in formulating policy on behalf of the City Manager and City Council.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Engineering, Business or Public Administration, or related field AND seven (7) years of experience in community development, planning, building, zoning, economic development, redevelopment, business development, and/or infrastructure development. Four (4) years of qualifying experience must be in an administrative role supervising staff. A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Comprehensive Knowledge of: principles and practices of administrative management, including personnel rules, cost accounting, budgeting, strategic planning and effective employee supervision; principles, practices, and procedures of community planning, community development, zoning regulation, code enforcement, infrastructure development, business development and environmental protection; Federal, State, and local laws, rules and regulations affecting planning, zoning, code enforcement, community development and community programs; business and personal computers and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software applications; City organization, operations, policies and procedures to effectively perform the required functions and duties of the position.

Ability to: research and compile applicable information and maintain accurate records; analyze trends and statistical information to prepare, and present accurate, timely, and reliable reports containing findings and/or recommendations; analyze problems, identify solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and recommend and implement appropriate strategy; read, understand, interpret, and ensure compliance with a variety of standards, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations governing related activities, programs, and functions; assess and prioritize multiple projects and demands; communicate appropriately and effectively orally and in writing; firmly and impartially supervise, coach, counsel, mentor, lead, and direct the activities of staff; use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines; respond timely and effectively to issues of concern; establish and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with employees, elected officials, other agencies, business and development communities, and the public to appropriately address, resolve, prevent, or minimize issues and items of concern.

Skills in: developing, preparing, presenting, and supporting program and planning information and initiatives to the public in meetings and public hearings; analyzing needs of City and prioritizing Community Development programs to meet the development strategies; developing and implementing long-range plans and procedures for cost effective management of allocated resources; analyzing trends and issues, evaluating alternatives, and making logical recommendations and decisions based on findings to address concerns and/or make recommendations to improve programs, policies, processes, procedures, and methods; understanding and applying processes, procedures, and applicable rules and regulations; analyzing and interpreting financial documents and preparing financial reports; developing plans for improved services and cost effective management of allocated resources; effectively managing and leading staff and delegating tasks; reading, interpreting, and communicating policies, regulations, processes, and procedures; communicating and working effectively with a diverse population; reviewing, preparing, evaluating, and verifying relevant records, reports, calculations, documentation, and presentations; using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines; maintaining complete and accurate records; operating a personal computer with installed generic and specialized software; assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects, and demands to ensure achievement of goals and objectives.

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