Community & Economic Development Director

Community & Economic Development Director Position Summary

This is a highly responsible professional position that includes administrative and managerial work related to planning, organizing, and directing the activities of the Community & Economic Development Department for the Village of Brooklyn. Under the general supervision of the Village Manager, the Community & Economic Development Director plans, directs, and administers the Village’s economic development initiatives, including business development that will enhance jobs, tax base, blight removal, parks, recreation, and community and neighborhood needs.

Researches, recommends, and implements programs and services to meet the needs of the Village. This position will work in partnership with the Corridor Improvement Authority, the Planning Commission, and the Parks Board to lead and develop efforts to move the community forward. Serves as liaison to various external boards, committees, and commissions, that align with the position, as needed.

In each of these areas, the Village Manager shall provide guidance, direction, and oversight, but the Community & Economic Development Director shall ultimately be responsible for their own work product and shall be expected to provide satisfactory progress in all areas of development. The Community & Economic Development Director shall make recommendations related to community development to the Village Manager, in conjunction with the public policies developed and decided by the Village Council.

The Community & Economic Development Director may also make recommendations to the Village Council regarding proposed programs and policies that relate to economic development, planning and zoning, blight remediation, and other community development issues. Grant writing, grant procurement, grant administration, and grant reporting duties are also part of the responsibility of the Community & Economic Development Director, who, along with the Village Manager, shall help oversee all Village grants.

The Economic and Community Development Director is appointed by and reports to the Village Manager. This position will have oversight of part-time staff/contractors within zoning and developing community opportunities.

• Serve as Zoning Administrator to develop and administer programs and regulations guiding land use in the Village. Coordinates and directs all operations of the planning department, and zoning administration, and prepares and updates planning-related studies.
• Serves as the Director of the Corridor Improvement Authority (CIA). Prepares and oversees the CIA budget and carries out administrative duties of the CIA. Maintains all necessary records per administrative rules, contract language, and legal requirements, including State and Federal legislation and local ordinances and regulations, particularly relative to the CIA District. Compiles operational statistics and completes a variety of reports required by the Village, State, Federal, and other funding agencies.
• Plans, directs, and administers the Village’s economic and community development initiatives including business development. Researches, recommends, and implements various economic development programs and services. Evaluate past programs, analyze economic data, and prioritize new demands.
• Review private and public development consistency with the community master plan and zoning ordinances. Guides developers to comply with the master plan, planning documents, and development regulations. Explains alternative development methods and conducts field inspections of projects to ensure conformity to statutes and regulations. Oversees the site plan review activities of the department.
• Collaborate with CIA to develop and coordinate economic development marketing strategies and activities, create promotional materials, recruit new businesses to the area, and work with site selectors.
• Participates in the development and implementation of the Village’s Master Plan and Capital Improvement Plan that reflects the collective vision of the community. Conducts research, identifies development trends, and makes…