Director of Planning and Community Development

GENERAL PURPOSE

Plans, coordinates, and manages federal, state and municipal grant programs; performs current and long range comprehensive planning work and manages complex grant specific projects; performs a variety of professional level work such as providing information and assistance to the general public, and outside agencies; assists in economic development, neighborhood and downtown revitalization initiatives; review land use, write reports and make presentations to a variety of boards;

create maps and perform analysis in GIS; and prepare grant applications for special projects as assigned.

Works under the general supervision of the City Manager and/or Assistant City Manager

Exercises direct supervision over the Planning and Community Development Department and the Texarkana-Bowie County Family Health Center.

• Responsible for general oversight of the City’s federal, state and municipal grant programs including but not limited to all HUD, EPA and federal grant awards including programmatic and financial reporting:
• Responsible for federal housing related grant funding including HUD CDBG, CoC and ESG programs.
• Responsible for City’s EPA Region 6 Brownfields Program and associated programs.
• General oversight of State of Texas grant awards including Recreation Trails Grants, State Energy Office, TDHCA EH programs and Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grants from the Texas Military Preparedness Commission (TMPC).
• General oversight of the Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs (TDHCA) HOME program.
• General oversight of local funding through the city’s donation account.
• Responsible for general downtown development process:
• Advises downtown applicants regarding early-stage due diligence issues related to planning, grants, loans, and/or land development codes.
• Manages the City’s agreement for use of the Hotel Grim Palm room, office and general public space for events and programming.
• Participates in the general city-wide development process:
• Advises applicants regarding early-stage due diligence issues related to planning, development, and/or land development codes.
• Long Range Planning projects:
• Responsible for the implementation of a Comprehensive Vision & Master Plan through city-wide departmental work plans and budgets
• Responsible for Comprehensive Master Plan updates and reporting to Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council
• Coordinate and/or participate in various City Master Plan, Special Area and/or Sector Plan updates
• Assists in the coordination of Geographic Information System maps products.
• Develops and manages projects and programs to ensure the objectives of the City Council’s Strategic Focus Areas and Department’s Goals and Strategic Plan are met.
• Responsible for city boards, neighborhood associations and commissions as assigned:
• Responsible for Historic Landmark Preservation Committee.
• Responsible for the Keep Texarkana Beautiful Committee.
• Responsible for developing and providing City assistance to neighborhood associations recognized by the City Council.
• Serves as a member of the MPO Technical Committee and ad hoc MPO committees as needed.
• Serves as a member of the Texarkana Homeless Coalition as the city liaison to the board.
• Assists with the Community Development Corporation and serves as a city liaison to the board.
• Assists Building Code and Inspections in the preparation of agenda materials for the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council.
• Research, develops and writes ordinances and amendments for consideration by the City Council.
• Analyzes proposals, drafts staff reports, trains, and presents to Board or Commission.
• Miscellaneous:
• Conduct a variety of technical and analytical activities for the Planning & Community Development Department
• Meet with developers, engineers, surveyors and citizens to provide information on various development-related issues
• Peripheral Duties:
• Performs all other related duties as assigned or required.
• Seeks external resources to enhance the goals of the city.
• Assists with and attends community projects such as city-wide beautification efforts, neighborhood celebrations,…