COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR/ACTING CITY MANAGER

CITY OF WILLITS
JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR/ACTING CITY MANAGER

REPORTS TO: City Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

Plans, directs and coordinates the full range of community development activities including planning, building, zoning administration, code enforcement, economic development, housing, and administration and implementation of the Willits Redevelopment Plan. Provide highly responsible and technical staff assistance to City Manger and City Council. Carries out the duties and responsibilities of the City Manager in his/her absence.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reading and writing; giving and receiving oral instructions; oral communication with public; oral presentations at meetings; ability to work long hours occasionally; driving motor vehicle.

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT EXEMPTION

The incumbent of this position spends more than 50 percent of his/her time in the overall management of the agency. The incumbent supervises two of more employees. This position is therefore “exempt” under the Fair Labor Standards Act as an “Executive Employee”.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Participate in the development and implementation of Redevelopment Agency goals, objectives, priorities and programs; makes recommendations on administrative and business matters.

Serve as staff to the Planning Commission and City Council in community development matters, including the preparation and presentation of reports recommendations and agendas.

Serve as Acting City Manager in the absence of the City Manager.

Attend all City Council and Planning Commission meetings.

Plans, organizes and directs preparation of the Redevelopment Agency Implementation plan and Agency budget; provides periodic performance reports to the City Manager.

Administers Community Development Block Grant program; prepares grant applications; plans and conducts information meetings; and advises the City Manager and City Council/Agency Board on project applications.

Coordinates community development activities with other City departments and outside agencies

Coordinate and attend meetings of the Technical Advisory Committee, Revit-ED Committee, and Traffic Safety Committee and prepare information to support those committees.

Responsible for maintaining a General Plan including Housing Element, and implementing ordinances which are current, internally consistent, and in compliance with State Law.

Monitors and analyzes Federal and State legislation and regulations relating to economic and community development to determine impact concerning changing regulatory requirements.

Prepares and coordinates contracts in connection with Redevelopment Agency assisted projects; manages contracts for projects for project implementation and compliance; assures that expenditures and performance are in accordance with the terms and conditions.

Develops economic development and housing program resources; responds to inquires and works with individuals interested in pursuing the development of projects; makes referrals to financing agencies; develops working relationship with Federal, State and other local and non-project agencies offering economic development and housing assistance programs.

Develops and implements a marketing strategy for the City of Willits for the retention, expansion and recruitment of business and industry.

Identifies and accesses funding sources; maintain relationships with funding sources and ensure compliance with reporting requirements, administers contractual agreements with government agencies to ensure appropriate fiscal controls.

Counsels, cooperates with, and acts as liaison to other local agencies and nonprofit organizations working in economic development or business promotion projects and activities involving promotion and development of local economy.

Serves as City coordinator to provide assistance to prospects for industrial and commercial and business development; maintains contact with prospects, arranges meetings; and performs tasks necessary to facilitate prospects’ decisions.

Evaluates and analyzes data in selecting specific types of industries to be pursued for location in the City.

Develops promotional literature, data sheets, inventories of available industrial land and buildings, and other data for dissemination to businesses interested in developing or relocating in the City.

Provides a continuing service to businesses in the City to help solve problems resulting from new location or expansion requirements or related problems.

Ensures that appropriate deadlines for fiscal, legal or other Agency issues are met.

Supervises and provides direction to the Building Inspector.

Supervises and provides direction to support staff.

MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS:

Computer terminal, keyboard, adding machine, telephone, copier, FAX machine, printer.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Possession of a valid Class C or higher California driver’s license.

DESIRABLE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

A results-oriented person and persuasive individual who is accustomed to a “hands on” approach is especially desired. Should value leadership and entrepreneurship over “process”.

Establishing of cooperative working relationships with federal, state, and local officials, as well as private financing institutions, venture capital groups and developers is essential to the success of the position.

A wide range of leadership skills including inspiring, motivating and developing staff, taking on responsibility, remaining flexible in thinking and action, and being motivated by challenge.

Working knowledge of the California Environmental Quality Act, and principles of community sustainability, low impact development and smart growth.

Principles and practices of municipal organization, administration, and budget.

Principles and practices of personnel administration including methods and techniques used in recruitment and selection, classification, salary administration, affirmative action and risk management.

Principles of supervision, training and job evaluation.

Principles and practices of municipal code structure and maintenance.

Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, ordinances and policies of governing agencies.

Open meeting laws and other rules related to the conduct of City Council meetings and committee meetings.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION

Five years of experience in the creation and management of community and economic development programs. Education should be equivalent to graduation from an accredited college of university with a degree in Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, or Economics. Proven implementation of community and economic development programs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Frequent walking, standing, writing, bending, reaching, sitting in office chair, keyboarding and visual contact with computer terminal; occasionally lifting items weighing less than 30 pounds, reaching and lifting above shoulders, carrying boxes of materials from one office to another, driving motor vehicle or riding bicycle.