Director of Community Development

City of Commerce City

Commerce City, CO

Experience Level: Senior

AICP Certification: AICP Preferred

Salary: $59.8858 - $80.8458 hourly ($124,562 - $168,159)

Apply Now


THIS RECRUITMENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 

Online applications are accepted beginning Friday, January 27, 2023, and will remain open continuously until a sufficient number of qualified candidates have applied.
An image without descriptionApplicants are encouraged to apply immediately.  

Salary to be commensurate with experience.

The hiring range for this position is $59.8858 - $80.8458 hourly ($124,562 - $168,159)

 An image without description

The Director of Community Development provides leadership and vision to the City by developing and implementing community development initiatives that improve organizational effectiveness and provide a quality community. The CD Director has overall responsibility for the City’s community development, planning, permitting, community wellbeing program, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, code enforcement, and supervision of the housing and resident services manager for the housing authority.   Provides strategic direction to align the department with the vision and goals of the City.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
  • Plans, coordinates, and provides direction for all services and activities of the department 
  • Motivates and influences people to facilitate the organizational effectiveness
  • Develops, organizes, and presents annual work program and departmental budget
  • Manages politically sensitive development, planning and enforcement issues
  • Advises the City Manager and Deputy City Manager on issues related to growth and development
  • Supports the coordination of project development and/or redevelopment in conjunction with Urban Renewal Authority  undertakings and activities
  • Assigns, reviews, and monitors staff resources and demands to meet the department’s goals and objectives
  • Assesses, manages and directs assigned staff and functions responsible for site plan review, permit approval, and subdivision approval procedures between the divisions of the department
  • Assesses, manages, and directs assigned staff and functions responsible for interpreting all development codes; identifying code deficiencies and drafting new legislation
  • Develops procedures to ensure enforcement of development codes, building codes and zoning ordinances
  • Coordinates the review on behalf of the city of reports and studies for a variety of external agencies and governments 
  • Provides guidance and leadership to the Commerce City Housing Authority and attends Board meetings as an advisor
  • Attends City Council and various Board meetings; provides professional advice as requested
  • Analyzes technical and statistical information to provide interpretation and recommendations
  • Develops, monitors and approves departmental expenditures
  • Prepares and delivers presentations to neighborhood groups, professional groups, and economic development organizations
  • Assists in the management and coordination of city-owned water resources 
  • Ensures procedural compliance and consistency for rezoning, zoning and building code variance cases, and zoning special use exceptions
  • All employees must model and demonstrate the City Values at all times during the course of employment; to include: Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation, Respect and Excellence

Performs other duties as assigned

Essential Supervisory Duties

  • Performs first and second level supervision; provides performance feedback through timely performance evaluations, coaches and mentors employees and identifies training opportunities, and determines or recommends employment actions such as hiring, termination, and salary changes
  • Leads regular staff meetings and confers one-on-one with direct reports
  • Must have strong and effective leadership skills to establish and implement the department’s structure and processes including lines of authority and communication channels
  • Develops and implements department policies, procedures, and expectations
Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Community Development or related field with ten years of experience in municipal city planning, community development, building permitting and inspection, housing programs, and code enforcement, that includes seven years in a management capacity. AICP Certification preferred. Must possess a valid driver’s license

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Comprehensive knowledge of the advanced principles and practices of urban and regional planning and building
  • Strong knowledge of constitutional principles and legislative constraints affecting municipal planning and development, building, and housing regulation
  • Strong knowledge of professional, legal, and public administration terminology
  • Strong knowledge of economics, law, municipal finance, and sociology as they apply to planning
  • Current knowledge of the professional literature and recent developments in the field of urban planning, housing, building regulations and code enforcement
  • Knowledge of the documentation and records required and retained by the department
  • Knowledge and understanding of the role of Commerce City as a municipality
  • Ability to create and implement a strategic plan 
  • Ability to use independent judgment and discretion to resolve complex problems, develop and maintain standards, and manage department functions
  • Ability to acquire and communicate information on changes in codes, ordinances, and regulations
  • Ability to communicate to a diverse variety of individuals including citizens, planning and construction professionals, and public officials
 

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications. Employees are accountable for all duties associated with this position.

The City of Commerce City is an equal opportunity employer.

Posted March 21, 2023, 8:31 AM PDT


Find your next career opportunity in planning and urban design.


Planetizen Courses logo

Planetizen Courses: Online Training in Urban Planning

Access more than 250 urban planning courses on your computer, phone, or tablet. Learn today, plan for tomorrow.

View Courses

Edmonton, Canada

Planetizen AICP Exam Prep Class logo

Planetizen AICP* Exam Prep Class

88% of students who took our class passed the exam and became AICP* certified.

View Class