The Town of Elizabeth is a rural community located approximately 40 miles southeast of Denver and located within a short drive to the communities of parker and castle rock. While having a population of only about 3,000 residents, Elizabeth is the commercial hub of Elbert County that has a significant retail presence including Walmart, Safeway, True-Value, Big R, Napa Auto Parts, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Sonic, Dairy Queen, Taco bell, with a Ziggy’s Coffee, Anna’s Car Wash, McDonald’s and other businesses scheduled to be opened in 2025.
 

The Community Development Department provides planning services to the community, including current and long-range planning, zoning, building, and economic development. The Community Development Director builds and maintains relationships internally and externally, provides vision and direction for the department, and participates in meetings of the advisory boards, Board of Trustees, and Town events. The Community Development Department is a small but nimble team that allows for a diversity of day-to-day tasks.

The Town of Elizabeth has been successful in obtaining grant funding for many transformational projects and making long-term projects come to fruition to spur economic development. The Town is currently building out a three-million-dollar Main Street Streetscape project which is funded in part through a CDOT Revitalizing Main Street Grant and a DOLA EIAF Tier II Grant. The Town is in the process of developing a 100+ space parking lot to serve Main Street and the Running Creek Event Park. The Town has partnered with the Elizabeth School District and the Elizabeth Parks and Recreation District to complete a Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trail Master Plan for the Greater Elizabeth Area which is funded in large part through a GOCO Planning and Capacity Grant.
 

The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree in Planning, Urban Planning, Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field; have a minimum of five (5) years’ experience in Community Development in the public sector for similar sized communities, or equivalent experience in the private sector for an organization of similar size and complexity. PMP or AICP certifications preferred but not required. Emphasis will be placed on candidates who excel in building relationships, can provide dynamic leadership, can think creatively, can overcome adversity, and promote teamwork.

Interested candidates can learn more about the community and the position by reviewing the Town’s website at: https://www.townofelizabeth.org. For more information about this position, or to apply with your cover letter and resume, please email Town Clerk Michelle Oeser at moeser@townofelizabeth.org or call (303) 646-4166. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, by 12/04/2024 at the latest. Compensation is dependent upon experience, but the town has established the position as a Grade 115, with the range of annual compensation to be between $74,609 and $104,436 per year.

Description:

Under general direction, the Community Development Director provides planning services to the community, including short- and long-range planning, zoning, building and economic development.  The Director oversees the department and plans and coordinates economic opportunities to improve the Town of Elizabeth’s business climate. The Director oversees and acts as a liaison for two of the Town’s advisory boards, the Planning Commission and Main Street Board of Directors.

Duties:

The following duties are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification.  Shown are duties intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities.  Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position specific duties.

• Plans, directs, and coordinates the Community Development Department’s work plan.  Prepares and monitors the department’s annual budget.
• Oversees and directs planning activities including project, plan, and design reviews; formulates research and analyzes policies.
• Develops and implements policies and procedures to advance the department’s mission, goals, and objectives.
• Oversees and manages the local Main Street Program while acting as the Main Street Manager.
• Directs and oversees the interpretation, amendment, and enforcement of codes and ordinances.
• Explains, justifies, and defends the Comprehensive Plan, programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
• Develops and coordinates economic development marketing strategies including business attraction, expansion, and retention.
• Represents the Community Development Department and coordinates activities with other Town departments, elected officials, and outside agencies.  Establishes and maintains partnership with area business organizations that facilitate and implement programs and activities that support the Town’s economic development.
• Provides staff assistance to the Town Administrator and Board of Trustees and participates in a variety of boards, commissions, and committees.  Attends and participates in professional group meetings and stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the fields of economic development, planning, and building inspection.
• Oversees, manages, and facilitates the Historic Advisory Board, the Planning Commission, and co-manages the Main Street Board of Directors.
• Research issues/materials as needed for Town Administrator and Town Board.  Responds to public and departmental questions concerning Town policies, ordinances, and related issues.
• Supervises employees of the Community Development Office.  Develops work plans and schedules, directs, and coordinates work, coordinates training, evaluates performance, and manages progress on an on-going basis.
• Performs related duties as established by law or ordinance or as directed by the Town.

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Planning, Urban Planning, Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field.
• Minimum combination of five (5) years of experience in Community Development in the public sector for similar sized communities, or equivalent experience in the private sector for an organization of similar size and complexity. 
• AICP Certification preferred but not required.
• Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience, which provides the individual with the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job. 
• Must possess, at time of employment and continuously throughout employment, a valid Colorado Class “C” driver’s license.