GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

City of Grand Rapids (pop. 198,917) is conducting a national search for an experienced housing and community development professional to lead a department of 46 employees with a total budget of $18 million that is organized under the following service areas: 

·         Code Compliance to proactively and reactively enforce City codes that ensure community health and safety.  These services include residential rental property certification, residential property maintenance, building maintenance and zoning code compliance, and nuisance remediation and blight monitoring. 

·         Community Development oversees federal, state, and local programs that increase housing stability and access to affordable housing, improve housing and neighborhood conditions, and provide economic opportunities for low-and moderate-income residents and vulnerable populations.  Core services include grants management, housing rehabilitation, and coordination of homelessness response, lead-based paint remediation programs and indigent defense.

Reporting to the Senior Managing Director of Community Services, the Community Development Director will be a key member of the City’s upper management team providing them with the opportunity to contribute to broader affairs of the organization. The Director will directly supervise 3-5 direct reports and provide managerial direction to all employees with support from two (2) Assistant Directors.  The Director works with diverse groups including nonprofit and for-profit entities, community partners, and residents experiencing socio-economic disparities. 

The Community Development Director will develop long and short range planning and needs assessment for community and service improvements in keeping with the City’s mission of elevating Grand Rapids quality of life and in keeping with the Strategic Plan (grandrapidsmi.gov).

The ideal person will be able to manage financially complex department operations, assess overall department effectiveness, and establish effective community development and code compliance programs. The position requires a proven track record of working effectively in a culturally and ethnically diverse community while coordinating activities with contractors, other government officials, business, and civic leaders, and explaining department activities to the media and citizen groups. 

The successful candidate must uphold the highest level of ethics and integrity in performing work and representing the City.  They will have demonstrated experience and a good record managing the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) programs.  The successful candidate will have proven experience leading housing and building code compliance and will be skilled in addressing complex issues among diverse stakeholders. The successful candidate will have political astuteness, excellent writing skills, the ability to maintain relationships, ability to work with community partners and be able to engage well with the community.

Requirements include:

·         Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, urban planning, or related field;

·         Eight (8) years of related experience in community development, code compliance, or housing, inclusive of five (5) years of supervisory experience or any equivalent combination of training and experience.

·         Extensive knowledge of federal housing and community development programs including the Community Development Block (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) programs.

Compensation for this position range starts from $109,872 to $140,103 +/- DOQ/E, plus excellent benefits.  

Preview Fringe Benefits Guide Sheet

Apply online by January 16, 2023. Submit cover letter, resume, and three (3) reference at www.GovHRjobs.com.  Confidential inquiries are encouraged.  Contact Ryan Cotton, Vice President, GovHR USA at 847-380-3240, ext. 114.

MANDATORY APPLICATION QUESTIONNAIRE – The following Application Questionnaire MUST be completed and submitted along with application.

Grand Rapids, MI – Community Development Director Mandatory Application Questionnaire

 

Application Deadline: January 16, 2023