The Director of Economic and Community Development is responsible for developing and leading the City of York’s Economic and Community Development strategy, consistent with the Mayor’s vision and priority goals for the city. The Director manages the Department of Economic and Community Development (including Housing, Economic Development, Permits, Planning and Zoning, and the Bureau of Health) and serves as secretary of and key advisor to the York City Redevelopment Authority.
The Director of Economic and Community Development advises the Mayor on policy, programs, and projects; serves as a key collaborator with community organizations and neighborhood representatives; advises and coordinates with City Council; forges public/private partnerships; creates appropriate real estate development opportunities when public-sector support is needed to accomplish city goals; develops and administers the department and RDA budget.
Other duties include supervising the department and various bureaus to ensure highly professional, timely, and efficient delivery and provision of governmental services; staffing relevant boards and commissions; managing department staff including hiring and disciplinary action if warranted; reviewing, administering, and awarding federal and state grant funds; communicating with the public regarding priorities and coordinating city action with key stakeholders.
Serves as a member of the Mayor’s Cabinet and acts as a key liaison to the City Council and other elected officials, the RDA Board, other city boards and commissions, community organizations, neighborhood representatives and the general public.
Represents the Mayor internally and in public on economic and community development issues.
Manages the employees and work of the department ensuring timely, highly professional and effective government service.
Manages budgets and grant funds.
Develops and implements forward thinking policy to support the City’s economic and community development strategy.
Develops public/private partnerships to achieve policy and project goals.
Ensure professional and effective operations of the Zoning Hearing Board, Planning Commission, and Historic Architecture Review Board.
Demonstrates advanced expertise in methodologies and systems that influence the design and implementation of major organization-wide programs and processes. Exercises independent judgment and decision-making to effectively apply technical knowledge.
Ability to manage and monitor work performance by directing a department including hiring/disciplinary actions and work objectives/effectiveness, performance evaluations, and realigning work as needed.
Ability to interact with executive level management, which involves support of controversial positions or the negotiation of sensitive issues, or the preparation of important presentations given as written documentation and/or as speeches to groups of managers, coworkers, elected officials, partner organizations, and the general public.
Demonstrated experience with division or department budget preparations. Ability to review and approve expenditures of significant budgeted funds for the department or research and prepare recommendations for organization-wide budget expenditures.
Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Regional City and Urban Planning, Business Administration, Finance or related field is required. Master's degree in Public Administration, Regional City and Urban Planning, Business Administration, Finance or related field is preferred.
Prior experience as a Director of Economic and Community Development or as an Assistant Director, or equivalent experience preferred.
Various Financial and Economic Certifications preferred.
Valid Class C Driver's License issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Hiring Prerequisites:
Drug screening testing with negative results
Background Report
PA Child Abuse History Clearance Certificate. Note: Child Abuse History Clearance must be dated within one year from the date of application and must show that "no record exists."
Employee in this position must comply with Article 121 "Administration Generally", of the Codified Ordinances of The City of York, Pennsylvania, Section 121.3 (b) "Department Heads" A department head need not reside within the City at the time of an appointment by the Mayor, but shall within 120 days following his appointment, become a resident of the City and during the tenure of office shall reside within the City unless Council, by resolution, states otherwise.
The City of York is proud to be an equal opportunity employer supporting workplace diversity.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement
The City of York provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, familial status, status as a covered veteran, or any other protected characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including but not limited to hiring, introductory period, training, orientation, placement and employee development, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, educational assistance, layoff, and recall, social and recreational programs, employee facilities, termination, and retirement. All decisions on employment and promotion will be made with the objective of furthering the principles of equal employment opportunity.
Accommodations Statement for Job Applications
The City of York is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact [email protected] to request a needed accommodation.
