Position Summary

Under the administrative direction and supervision of the City Manager, this position combines the functions of the Deputy City Manager and Community Development Director. The Deputy City Manager provides substantive and highly complex staff assistance to the City Manager in developing, implementing, and administrating City programs and operations.

The Deputy City Manager-Community Development Director will plan, organize, promote, and manage all functions of community development, including land use planning policies and regulations, building code enforcement, economic development, and city communications and marketing. Partners and works collaboratively with others to develop, support, and promote activities relating to development and planning for the city. Also serves as the executive director for the Urban Renewal Authority of Dacono.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists the City Manager in providing highly complex staff assistance to the Mayor and City Council; conducts studies and prepares reports on various City management problems and functional activities as directed; and performs other duties as required.
• Works with the City Manager and department heads in planning, organizing, coordinating, and implementing programs affecting assigned areas of responsibility.
• Directs the overall operation of the city in the absence of the City Manager when designated.
• Coordinates with other Directors of City services on matters affecting their areas of responsibility or on special projects assigned by the City Manager.
• Briefs the City Manager on issues of concern in the departments and functions in assigned area of responsibility to ensure proper action.
• Meets and corresponds with various citizen, professional, business, and other groups to answer questions and secure their help in implementing various programs.
• Reviews and provides recommendations for the annual budget for departments within assigned areas.
• Reviews results of major studies and coordinates the preparation of reports and recommendations.
• Attends Council meetings and reports on activities for which responsible as requested by the City Manager.
• Plans, organizes, controls, integrates, and evaluates the Community Development Department's work, including land use planning, building permits, building and zoning code enforcement, annexation, and related activities.
• Manages, reviews, and evaluates development proposals and other planning-related applications.
• Generates information that will assist developers, contractors, and the public in understanding planning and zoning-related items and processes.
• Interprets the department’s codes, regulations, plans, policies, and functions for elected and appointed boards, citizens, and the business community.
• Meets with the public, developers, and contractors to discuss planning, zoning, and development issues.
• Manages the preparation of new city ordinances and the amendment of existing ordinances, the municipal code, and the comprehensive plan; ensures conformance to city plans and regulations through code compliance strategies.
• Plans, organizes, develops, and implements economic development initiatives, capital projects, strategic and special projects, and other administrative activities in cooperation with the City Manager.
• Manages and implements departmental goals, objectives, work standards, and the annual department budget.
• Provides information, policy recommendations, and staff support for various appointed commissions and committees concerned with land use, community development, housing, economic development, and related planning matters.
• Represents the city in meetings with representatives of governmental agencies, professional, business and community organizations, and the public.
• Serves as the economic development liaison to businesses; develops profiles and maintains a positive relationship with businesses.
• Works with applicable economic development agencies to provide support to existing businesses.
• Develops and nurtures professional working relationships with business owners and managers and encourages them to locate or expand their operations in the city.
• Coordinates and manages the city’s building official contract and other consultants who provide development services.
• Assists other departments in analyzing and creating plans for long- and short-term infrastructure development, including parks, trails, streets, water, storm drainage, parking, and other public facilities.
• Serves as Executive Director of the Urban Renewal Authority of Dacono.
• Manages the department and supervises department staff, hires staff, provides training, and conducts performance evaluations.
• Assists with coordinating community public information and events, including working with department directors to promote department programs and services.
• Prepares press releases, quarterly city newsletters, and other publications.
• Assists in promotion and marketing of the city; manages social media outlets to coordinate community relations and outreach efforts, which includes maintaining the city website.
• Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills

• Considerable knowledge of operations typical of municipal services, including several of the following: economic development/redevelopment, public works, community relations, public utilities, and public safety.
• Considerable knowledge of principles and practices the theory, principles and techniques of the planning profession and development process, public administration, budgetary practices, and fiscal planning.
• Considerable knowledge of principles of personnel management, including supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Considerable knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, ordinances and codes pertaining to a wide variety of planning topics.
• Considerable knowledge of the methods and techniques of research and analysis; knowledge of real estate terminology, laws, practices, principles, and regulations.
• Effective and persuasive leadership abilities and comfortable with all levels of staff, public, etc.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, including the editing, oversight, or preparation of technical reports and the presentation of information to government entities and various committees.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with various officials, staff, citizens, and other customers.
• Ability to plan, organize, and manage daily operations.
• Ability to understand and manage sensitive or controversial political situations.
• Ability to solve complex problems and negotiate with ease.
• Ability to exercise sound and independent judgment.
• Ability to manage projects or issues effectively simultaneously and meet firm deadlines with attention to detail.
• Working knowledge of budgetary practices and fiscal planning.
• Effective and persuasive leadership abilities and comfortable with all levels of staff, public, etc.

Education and Experience

• Requires a master’s degree in urban planning, Public Administration, or a related field
• Requires eight (8) years of progressively responsible planning experience, four (4) years of which have been in a supervisory capacity
• Prefer American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification, or ability to obtain certification within one (1) year of hire

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Frequently lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds and occasionally up to twenty-five (25) pounds
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Work is primarily performed indoors in an office setting with frequent interruptions from telephone, email, or walk-in customers in a fast-paced environment
• Frequent evening work
• Occasionally required to work outdoors to perform site inspections

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Retirement
• Life Insurance
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays