Director of Community Development

Director of Community Development

Job Information

Position Title: Director of Community Development
Department: Community Development
Supervisor: Mayor or Designee of the Mayor
Salary Range: $71,811 - $107,717 / year
FLSA: Full-Time, Exempt
Application Deadline: April 28th, interviews begin immediately

Apply Online at jobs.columbus.in.gov

If you need assistance, accommodations or don’t have access to the internet elsewhere, call or
email City Human Resources 812-376-2570 or humanresources@columbus.in.gov to make an
appointment to apply in person. We welcome all applicants.

INTRODUCTION:
Columbus, Indiana, population 50,000 is well known for its architectural innovation, community
collaborations, engaged public, and high quality of life. The City is a regional center for financial
services, health care, employment, entertainment, and shopping. For more information about
our community visit our visitor center website at https://columbus.in.us.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
In addition to competitive, market-based salaries, the City of Columbus offers a generously-
financed retirement pension program (in addition to your salary being paid, an additional 14.2%

of that salary is contributed to the Public Employee Retirement Fund ( PERF), the state pension
program, and no deductions are made from your salary for your pension. The City offers
comprehensive health insurance for full-time employees, which include optional dental, vision

benefits and in March 2024, a free health/wellness clinic will be offered to employees on the city
health plan. Both traditional PPO (Preferred Provider) and HDHP (High Deductible Health Plans
are offered with the City contributing funds to an HSA (Health Savings Account) if the HDHP is
chosen. The City purchases short-term and long-term disability insurance and life insurance for
employees at no cost to them, and offers the option of additional life insurance. The City offers
the option of a 457 Deferred Compensation account. The City also offers all employees
professional development support.

The City of Columbus, Indiana is a qualified public service employer for student loan forgiveness
through the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

POSITION SUMMARY:
• The Director of Community Development plans, organizes, and directs the operations
and activities of the Department of Community Development for the City of Columbus,
Indiana. The Director of Community Development receives direction from the Mayor of
the City of Columbus, or his/her designee. This position hires and manages staff for the
Department of Community Development, consistent with relevant city civilian personnel
policies and ordinances; directs the preparation of the annual budget for the
department; and establishes and maintains effective working relationships with various
government and private entities. The Director of Community Development’s priorities
include implementing our Community Development Block Grant funding, housing
programs initiatives, promoting community relationships with downtown stakeholders,
Ethnic Expo, economic development through the tax abatement process, oversight of
code enforcement, and a variety of other community activities and events.
• The Director of Community Development oversees implementation of any housing
studies and strategies, be the point of contact for all housing development funding
requests, and serve as a member of the Mayor's Advisory Council for Safe, Available and
Affordable Housing.
• The Director of Community Development will also oversee the implementation of
Downtown 2030 plan including facilitation of the implementation team and technical
advisors.
• This role requires exceptional leadership, communication, and organizational skills to
facilitate collaboration between multiple departments, city officials, and stakeholders
throughout the community. The Director of Community Development will be
responsible for managing regular meetings, leading strategic initiatives, and driving the
implementation of critical community development projects across various domains in
the Columbus community.
• The Director of Community Development directs studies of new and existing programs and special projects and works to continuously improve quality of community development. The Director of Community Development supports and collaborates with other agencies and consultants to further the goals of housing development, downtown redevelopment, small business support/navigation and the development of the arts
district.
• The Director of Community Development proactively addresses various neighborhood
issues such as affordable subsidized housing, homelessness and neighborhood
revitalization in our most distressed areas.
• The Director of Community Development shall mentor and encourage staff, act as a
sounding board for staff, provide support for staff in training and education.

EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS:
The ideal candidate is encouraged to:
• thrive in a leadership environment that emphasizes accountability and collaboration;
• work well with elected officials, advisory boards, officialsfrom all levels of government,
local businesses and prospective businesses considering relocating to the region, the
general public, and the media;
• be politically sensitive to the challenges and opportunities pertaining to economic
development strategies and implementation;
• recognize and effectively respond to the ever-changing priorities, needs and
demographic conditions within the area;
• have strategic planning and analytical skills, and continuous improvement skills
• have oral and written communication, and presentation skills;
• have a thorough knowledge of business retention and attraction strategies;
• be able and willing to work weekends, holidays and more than 40 hour
weeks/extended hours when needed; and
• perform all other duties as assigned.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in
public administration, business administration, finance, economics, marketing, public affairs
or another related concentration or major, or an equivalent combination of training,
education and experience. Economic Developer or Housing Development Profession
Certifications also desirable as is additional graduate level training in a relevant discipline;

AND

Have experience managing, directing, developing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating a team of professionals performing the full scope of work required within the community development arena;

AND

Should be knowledgeable in public administration and management as well as principles and
practices of redevelopment, and have the ability to research best practices regarding housing
re-development ordinances, rules and regulations affecting community development and
current trends in public policy affecting agency operations and programs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Under the direction of the Mayor or his/her designee, direct the operations of
government relative to community development;
• Assure city community development program objectives are met and develop new
programs, policies and objectives under the direction of the Mayor or his/her
designee;
• Meet regularly with the Mayor and/or his/her designee to discuss key priorities and
updates;
• Meet with departmental leaders and staff to review, plan and discuss community
development policies, programs, strategies and issues of concern;
• Confer with or address the social services community, citizens and others to discuss
city needs and related problems and issues involving community development;
provide information and assistance to civic organizations dealing with specific
problems affecting the City's welfare;

RESIDENCY:
• Must reside in Bartholomew County or adjoining county within six (6) months of
employment.

DRUG/ALCOHOL TESTING:
• This is a safety sensitive position and as such is subject to the City's Drug and Alcohol-Free

Workplace Program which includes: pre-employment testing, random testing, post-
accident testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return-to-duty testing, and follow-uptesting.

This description is intended to describe the type of and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by a person and employees at the city may be given other assignments at will.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

M/F/D/V

*all potential applicants are encouraged to apply, and if you need an accommodation or help to apply online, please
call 812.376.2570 to make an appointment or email humanresources@columbus.in.gov