Manager of Community Planning

Under limited supervision, this position administers the city’s community development block grants (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership program. Participates in planning activities related to   functional area of the planning department.  Reports to the Director of Planning.

Performs professional community development work and evaluation of work that requires application of community development and policy theories, concepts, principles, and standards to the community development programs of the city.  Coordinates with other departments and agencies, assists staff in review of various applications and planning issues, and assists in the development of recommendations and presentations for the Planning Commission, City Council; and other boards and commissions.

Monitors program effectiveness and optimizes them as needed.  Establishes long range goals/objectives and writes policies and procedures.  Administers CDBG and HOME grants.  Prepares the 5-Year Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan and amendments; develops budgets for funded programs; sets up sub-recipient and Community Housing and Development Organizations (CHDO) agreements and monitors compliance, documents compliance with national objectives; formulates the annual Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER), completes Part 58 environmental documentation; serves as Fair Housing Compliance Officer; administers Integrated Disbursements and Information System (IDIS); and provides technical assistance and facilitation to city staff, sub-recipients, and CHDOs regarding use of funds. Works with city legal staff to ensure all applications and proposals meet legal standards.  Assists the Finance Department with managing entitlement funds and program income in Munis.

Attends meetings with department staff, other city departments and City Council.  Attends conferences, seminars, and meeting with the public to build partnerships, identify potential opportunities and maintain community relations.

Stays current regarding regulations and programs involving Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership (HOME) by performing research and consulting with external customers.

Performs other related work as required.  Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Knowledge of Job: Has general knowledge of the principles, practices and objectives of urban planning and design.  Has general knowledge of the principles and practices of engineering and physical design as generally related to planning and community development. Has considerable knowledge of the environmental and socio-economic implications of the plan­ning process. Has general knowledge of the geographical layout of the city and its’ socio-economic characteristics. Is skilled in the collection, analysis and presentation of technical data and recommendations. Is skilled in the use of computer-aided drafting, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Microsoft Office Suite, spreadsheet and database computer software programs. Is able to read and inter­pret surveys and engineering drawings and plans. Is able to explain planning theory, policy and practices to lay people individually or in groups. Is able to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in frequent contact with city, state and federal officials, and the general public. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts with all city departments and divisions, co-workers and the general public.

Quantity of Work: Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Essential Job Functions."

Dependability: Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, city policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance: Attends work regularly and adheres to city policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests. 

Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with city policies or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons and departments within the city.

Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and city benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all city employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the public to maintain good will toward the city and project a good city image. Tactfully and effectively handles re­quests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons to maintain good will within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, Director of Planning, professionals and the public.

Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings, deadlines and events.

Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

Planning: Plans, directs and uses information effectively to enhance activities and production of the department. Knows and understands the expectations of the city regarding the activities of the department and works to see that these expectations are met. Designs and formulates ways, means and timing to achieve the goals and objectives of the department and the city. Within the constraints of city policy, formulates the appropriate strategy and tactics for achieving departmental and city objectives. Organizes, arranges and allocates manpower, financial and other designated resources in an efficient and effective way to achieve the goals and objectives of the department and city.

Organizing: Organizes work and that of subordinate staff well. Ensures that staff members know what results are expected of them and that they are regularly and appropriately informed of all city and department matters affecting them and/or of concern to them.

Leading: Provides a work environment which encourages clear and open communications. Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of the principles of effective leadership and how such principles are to be applied. Provides adequate feedback to staff so that they know whether their performance levels are satisfactory. Commends and rewards employees for outstanding performance and does not hesitate to take disciplinary action when necessary. Exercises enthusiasm in influencing and guiding others toward the achievement of city goals and objectives.

Controlling: Provides a work environment which is orderly and controlled. Coordinates, audits and controls manpower and financial resources efficiently and effectively. Coordinates, audits and controls the utilization of materials and equipment efficiently and effectively. Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of city standards, methods and procedures.

Delegating: Assigns additional duties to staff as necessary and/or appropriate in order to meet department goals, enhance staff abilities, build confidence on the job and assist staff members in personal growth. Has confidence in staff to meet new or additional expectations. 

Decision Making: Uses discretion and judgment in developing and implementing courses of action affecting the department. When a policy, procedure or strategy does not appear to be achieving the desired result, moves decisively and definitively to develop and implement alternatives.

Creativity: Regularly seeks new and improved methodologies, policies and procedures for enhancing the effectiveness of the department and city. Employs imagination and creativity in the application of duties and responsibilities. Is not averse to change.

Human Relations: Strives to develop and maintain good rapport with all staff members. Listens to and considers suggestions and complaints and responds appropriately.   Maintains the respect and loyalty of staff.

Policy Implementation: Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of city policies regarding the department and city function. Adheres to those policies in the discharge of duties and responsibilities and ensures the same from subordinate staff.

Policy Formulation: Keeps abreast of changes in operating philosophies and policies of the city and continually reviews department policies to ensure that any changes in city philosophy or practice are appropriately incorporated. Also understands the relationship between operating policies and practices and department morale and performance. Works to see that established policies enhance same.

Requires a Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Business Administration, Public Administration, a related field, and 3-5 years of related experience in urban planning at the local government level, a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A Master's degree is preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED

TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including computers, calculators, etc. Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10lbs of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.   Physical demand requirements are for those for Sedentary Work.  

Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions, assignments or directions to subordinates or assistants. 

Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of reports, correspondence, agreements, applications, studies, summaries, memos, ordinances, regulations, etc.   Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, reports, memorandum, ordinances, policies, budgets, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak before groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence. 

Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret a variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form; and to deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including engineering, planning, architectural, marketing and legal terminology.

Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract, multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages, interpret graphs, and compute discount, interest, profit, loss ratio and proportion, etc.; perform calculations involving variables, formulas, square roots and polynomials; perform elementary and advanced statistical calculations including frequency distributions, advanced probability theory, experimental design, etc.

Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using office equipment.

Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as office equipment, engineering tools and drafting instruments. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress.

Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and hear: (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words. Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear).  Must be able to communicate via telephone.