Director of Community, Neighborhood & Services

Director Of Community, Neighborhood, And Housing Services

The City of Gaithersburg is seeking a community oriented, customer-focused, collaborative professional to oversee and direct the management and operation of activities and programs in the Department of Community, Neighborhood, and Housing Services (CN&HS). The CN&HS Department collaborates with community partners, other government agencies, businesses, homeowners' associations, rental communities, and residents to advance opportunities for those in need, as well as strengthen families, neighborhoods and the entire Gaithersburg community.

The CN&HS Director provides leadership, direction, and advanced professional expertise and oversight to the Department, which includes four interdisciplinary Divisions working to preserve and increase the availability of safe affordable housing, improve access to critical services for Gaithersburg's most vulnerable residents, create paths toward economic mobility, and enhance the livability of neighborhoods for Gaithersburg's inhabitants. The Director reports directly to the City Manager or their designee and works closely with other members of the management team and the City's elected and appointed officials.

As a member of the City's Senior Leadership Team, the Director collaborates with the City Manager and other Department directors on strategy and policy to ensure that the City's mission, vision, core values, and long-range goals, which are enshrined in Gaithersburg's Strategic Plan, are then incorporated into operational activities and services. The Director has four direct reports (Community Services Manager, Housing & Community Development Manager, Neighborhood Services Manager, and Homeless Services Manager).

The Department has an FY 2026 total budget of approximately $4.95 million and employs 27.65 FTEs (24 full-time). The position can accommodate both in-person and remote work at the discretion of the City Manager. Preparation for and attendance at meetings, events, and other work outside of regular business hours is required.

The Director of Community, Neighborhood & Housing Services oversees and manages all functions, activities, and programs in the Department's four Divisions (Community Services, Housing & Community Development, Neighborhood Services, and Homeless Services), and serves as staff liaison with and attends meetings of the Mayor and City Council, Council in the Communities, Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs, and various other related boards, commissions, and committees.

The position oversees the preparation and management of the Department budget; manages multiple projects; provides guidance and/or professional review input on complicated or controversial matters; handles conflicts and navigates complex issues including those that require political sensitivity and multi-disciplinary approaches; and oversees other day to-day associated administrative functions performed by Department staff including inclusionary housing programs, emergency assistance programs, CDBG funding, rental housing inspections and licensing, and homeless outreach initiatives, in addition to providing assistance to homeowners and condominium associations, property management companies, and the general public.

The Director supervises and oversees all personnel administration functions of the Department, including recruiting, hiring, training, providing direction to, and evaluating staff; establishes work priorities; and establishes and interprets departmental policies and procedures.

Priorities include evaluating critical operations of Community, Neighborhood, and Housing Services Department; establishing familiarity with recently updated Chapter 13 of the City of Gaithersburg's Municipal Code (Landlord-Tenant Relations) and related ordinances; overseeing establishment and launch of a new, city-managed alternative to the Montgomery County Commission on Common Ownership Communities; ensuring compliance for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award with HUD timeliness, reporting, and other program requirements;

assessing property conditions at Wells Robertson House and DeSellum House; shepherding amendments and updates to the City's Affordable Housing regulations through the legislative approval processes; working closely with Community Services staff on evaluating recently implemented processes for Community Service, Youth Enrichment, and Parent Resource Center grants; advocating for greater resources from Montgomery County for homeless support services and rental assistance funding;

and developing and maintaining positive relationships with the City Manager, Department and other City staff, the Mayor and City Council, and other related boards, committees, and commissions.

Minimum qualifications include a Master's Degree in Public or Business Administration, Community Development, Urban Studies, Urban/Regional Planning, Human/Social Services, or closely related field; minimum of ten (10) years of progressively…