Community Development Specialist

The Community Development Specialist assists the Community Development Director, Economic Development Manager and Affordable Housing Development Manager in coordinating the administrative activities of the Planning Department, including providing administrative support for the Planning Commission, Heritage Preservation Commission, Housing and Redevelopment Authority and City Council. Provides customer service to residents and the general public, including City Code enforcement.

The duties and responsibilities of this job are performed with latitude for independent judgment in accordance with Department and City policies, Federal, State and Local regulations and are based on detailed knowledge of Department operations. Work is subject to periodic review by the supervisor, who provides input on and approval of recommendations, and discusses assignments, priorities, and work. The Community Development Specialist provides work direction to volunteers and unpaid interns.

• Provides administrative support to the Planning Department.
  • Coordinates and maintains processing schedules for land use/development applications, for the Planning Commission, Heritage Preservation Commission, Housing and Redevelopment Authority and City Council.
  • Responsible for all Community Development public hearing notices as legally required by city and state statutes.
  • Answers questions, resolves concerns, and provides information to residents and the general public regarding planning and zoning matters via telephone, email, mail and in person;
  • Composes and prepares letters, notices, presentations, agendas and other documents;
  • Arranges and sets up meeting rooms;
  • Supports the Planning Commission, Heritage Preservation Commission, Housing and Redevelopment Authority and City Council including scheduling and preparing notices, agendas, and minutes;
  • Conducts research through City systems and County records;
  • Photocopies, scans and prepares materials for mailings;
  • Manages and maintains inventory of forms and documents;
  • Maintains filing, retention and destruction plan for files and documents;
  • Updates and maintains website as it relates to planning matters;
  • Enters data into databases.
  • Develops mailing lists using GIS and other software.

The job requires a high school diploma and three years of general administrative experience, or equivalent experience.

Experience in a governmental setting and knowledge of city planning or building inspections is desirable.

• Knowledge of governmental practices and policies;
• Leadership skills for giving work direction to volunteers and/or unpaid interns;
• The ability to perform work requiring a high degree of concentration and judgment in interpreting practices and procedures to solve problems;
• The ability to work independently and to prioritize work requests;
• Knowledge of and ability to use appraisal software programs;
• Knowledge of and ability to operate standard office software sufficient to manipulate data, draft reports and maintain records;
• Verbal and written communication skills sufficient to effectively present information and respond to questions from a wide variety of audiences, and reading comprehension skills sufficient to read, understand and interpret complex and varied work-related materials;
• Demonstrates the desired standard of conduct and work performance including confidentiality and privacy requirements of the department;
• Interpersonal skills sufficient to exchange and/or convey information, receive work direction, and maintain effective working relationships.

Physical effort is light for the majority of work with lifting or carrying limited to 25 pounds intermittently. Occasionally work is performed in the field conducting inspections, where the employee may bend, lift or crawl, in normal or inclement weather conditions. Report preparation and writing at times requires extended use of a keyboard. Work interruptions are frequent.

Most work is performed in a normal office environment. The job may involve dealing with and calming individuals who are emotionally charged over an issue.

Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this job at any time.