Under general direction with the Mayor, Commission, and the City Administrator manages the Department of Housing and Community Development including formulating and coordinating the City’s housing and community development programs; formulation of policies, procedures, and strategies designed to attract and promote affordable/attainable housing and desirable community development in the City of West Palm Beach; and performs other related duties as assigned.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Budget, plans, develop, and manage the operations of the Department of Housing and Community Development.

2. Plans, organizes and implements goals and objectives of the Code Enforcement division.

3. Trains and develop staff to meet current and future needs of the department, comply with regulations, policies and procedures and build effective work methods to meet performance objectives.

4. Establishes quantifiable long- and short-term objectives for the Community Development Block Grant Program which seeks to meet identified needs.

5. Creates strategies that result in increased affordable/attainable housing for residents of the City.

6. Administers special programs and grants which include but are not limited to: the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), the HOME Partnership Initiatives, the Housing Opportunities for Persons With Aids (HOPWA), the Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) Programs, the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP), and the Housing Trust Fund, in accordance with appropriate rules, regulations, and guidelines.

7. Coordinates the development of new programs to meet statutory requirements in the areas of equal housing opportunity.

8. Develops and manages departmental goals, policies, procedures and programs.

9. Researches complex housing and community development problems and prepares related comprehensive reports as required.

10. Participates in radio, TV and other media interviews to promote Community Development and related programs and to educate the public.

11. Prepares and reviews reports and agenda items for the City Administrator and/or committees on housing and community development activities for presentation to the City Commission.

12. Develops Requests for Proposals according to the appropriate rules, regulations and guidelines pertaining to each individual program or grant.

13. Monitors programmatic activities and ensure through various audit procedures that funds are expended in accordance with laws and regulations.

14. Ensures the administration of assistance programs for the preservation and renovation of existing housing; plans, develop and implement new housing programs, and coordinates a community-wide housing plan.

15. Participates in and coordinates activities with other Departments related to housing and community development to ensure compliance with comprehensive plan policies, and City planning programs and processes.

16. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Bachelor’s degree with a major in Political Science, Economics, Public Administration, Urban Planning or closely related field (education will be verified using the “Education Requirements” listed below) and seven (7) years of progressively responsible state or local government experience in housing, community development, and/or neighborhood revitalization is required, or any equivalent combination of training and experience. Three (3) years of supervisory or managerial experience is required.

A current and valid Florida driver’s license is required. For application purposes, a valid driver’s license from any state (equivalent to a State of Florida Class E) may be utilized; with the ability to obtain the State of Florida driver’s license within thirty (30) days from date of employment.

Education Requirements: To be considered valid (or verified) for position qualification purposes, and consistent with City Hiring Policy 4-5, a High School, GED or equivalent diploma, and all higher education degrees or certifications must have been issued by:

a) a public education institution in the State of Florida or any State or Territory of the United States; or

b) an institution accredited by an accrediting organization that is recognized by the Florida Department of Education or the U.S. Department of Education; or

c) an institution that is accredited by an organization that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA); or

d) an institution whose degree or certification is accepted by institutions identified in either a), b), or c), above, for the purpose of admission to institutions identified in either a), b), or c) above.

International degrees will be evaluated to determine if they satisfy qualification requirements.