Community Development Director
Location: Village of Saranac Lake
Jurisdictional Class: Non-Competitive Class Appointment
Full Time: 40 hours per week
Application deadline: Until position is filled
Starting Annual Salary: Competitive Salary
Residency: Residency is waived
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:
The Community Development Director oversees all activities of the Planning and Community Development Department. Responsibilities include coordinating the activities of the department with those of other elected and appointed officials that relate to the community’s planning, development, zoning, building or occupancy within the Village, as applicable to the needs of the Village. The incumbent is accountable for departmental planning and operational goals while furthering Village goals and objectives within general policy guidelines.
The Community Development Director under the administrative direction of the Village Board and/or Village Manager plans, organizes, provides administrative direction and oversight for and participates in all community development functions and activities which include current and advanced plan updates, grant programs for housing, park, and infrastructure, professional assistance to Village management staff in zoning and grant writing; fostering cooperative working relationships with intergovernmental and regulatory agencies at local, state and federal levels, as well as public and private groups. Supervision may be exercised over a small technical and clerical staff. The incumbent does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)
Manages development projects through all stages, i.e. development, consultant procurement, consultant
management, monitoring and progress reports;
• Researches sources of funding, develops documentation and prepares applications for Federal and State grants in order to acquire revenue for the improvement of housing and buildings and carry out public works projects;
• Supervises and participates in the administration of various grant programs involving the expenditure of large sums of money in the area of community development;
• Meets with government officials, private contractors and investors to discuss and determine the nature and extent of programs to be undertaken;
• Partners as appropriate with local and regional business development agencies;
• Provides strategic planning assistance and advice to local committees, agencies, and municipalities to ensure development is aligned and coordinated;
• Visits work sites and meets with contractors before and during the work phase of a project to insure that the job is being accomplished in conformance with contract specifications;
• Conducts public hearings and other meetings with private citizens to explain projects and elicit public opinion concerning acquisition of property, project planning, demolition and/or development;
• Supervises the maintenance of records and accounts of grant fund expenditures to insure their accuracy, completeness and clear audit trail;
• Prepares progress and financial reports as required by state or federal agencies or the Village Manager.
FULL PERFORMANCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Thorough knowledge of federal, state and local laws, regulations and policies as they apply to community development; good knowledge of socioeconomic, environmental and planning factors related to community development; working knowledge of computer applications related to the work including a general understanding of Geographic Information Systems (GIS); working knowledge of legal procedures related to real estate transactions and property appraisal practices; working knowledge of principles and techniques used in research and statistical analysis; ability to translate legal and administrative policy statements into work directives; good knowledge of modern management principles and practices; ability to communicate with the public and media outlets; ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships at an administrative level; ability to multitask; resourcefulness and initiative; good professional judgment; tact and
courtesy.
QUALIFICATIONS:
A. Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS registered college with a Bachelor’s Degree or higher degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Community or Urban Development, Planning, Architecture, Engineering or related field; and four (4) years of supervisory or administrative experience in planning, zoning and related community development activities; or
B. Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS registered college with an Associate’s Degree in a field listed in (A.) above and six (6) years of experience in municipal, regional or community planning or development or a related field, four (4) of which were in a supervisory and administrative capacity in the planning, zoning and related community development activities.
C. Graduation from high school and eight (8) years of experience in municipal, regional or community planning or development or a related field, four (4) of which were in a supervisory and administrative capacity in the planning, zoning and related community development activities.
Date Posted: 07-03-2023
Expire Date: Open until filled
Contact Name: Amanda Hopf
Contact Email: clerk@saranaclakeny.gov
