Director of Community Development

Responsibilities

Manage Department personnel:

• Develop and lead the achievement of departmental goals and objectives in support of the CDA's mission, vision, and values.
• Determine staffing needs, training needs, and department structure. 
• Coordinate staff work assignments; ensure adequate staff coverage and efficient work coordination.
• Develop and implement employee procedures and policies.
• Assist with review, revision, and development of job descriptions and evaluation of performance standards. 
• Approve time sheets, mileage claims, and leave requests.

Local Housing Trust Fund (LHTF) and Community Growth Partnership Initiative (CGPI):

• Administers, organizes, plans, and directs the usage of the LHTF, LAHA funding and CGPI.
• Responsible for development of affordable housing strategies, related housing policies, and programs.
• Proposes funding recommendations and identifies partnerships to strengthen affordable housing opportunities.
• Maintains accurate records and compiles data for timely reports.

Redevelopment and community development projects:

• Secure diverse and sustainable funding sources to support community development initiatives including HUD, DEED, MHFA, Met Council and other sources.
• Assist cities, non-profit organizations, and developers in identifying community development and housing needs. Serve as the lead contact for economic development inquiries.
• Coordinate property acquisitions and site clearance; field calls and provide information, initiate purchases, negotiate purchase contracts and coordinate the relocation of existing owners/tenants.
• Assess property sites to determine necessary environmental remediation; develop, implement, and track response action plans, manage cleanup projects and contracts in accordance with state and local environmental regulations and requirements.
• Ensure property acquisitions, relocations and demolition projects meet Federal, state and CDA legal and policy requirements.
• Review, analyze and acquire tax forfeiture sites.
• Establish and carryout project budgets.
• Provide regular project status reports (i.e. written or presentations) to City Councils, City Managers, county and state agencies, and CDA Executive Director.
• Coordinate and/or attend meetings with external partners (e.g. state agencies, cities, county, private and non-profit developers). 

Multi-family and single-family housing finance programs: (e.g. Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, Mortgage Revenue Bonds, Conduit Financing)

• Oversee, assess, and make recommendations of complex financing needed to support development or redevelopment of affordable housing units.
• Assist in preparation and management of project budgets, schedule, and contracts.
• Conduct site visits to monitor progress, identify potential issues, and implement corrective action.

Homeownership programs: (e.g. Carver County Community Land Trust, Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program, First Time Homebuyer and Down payment Assistance Programs)

• Oversee the program’s expansion of new properties into the portfolio and resales of existing properties; be involved in statewide and local coalition events.
• Assess market and programmatic demands and make recommendations on program structure and offerings.
• Oversee grant writing and funding application process.
• Develop and implement program and administrative budgets; approve all check and draw requests and ensure all program funds are utilized in a timely manner.
• Initiate, design, and implement project and financial tracking systems; coordinate the completion of program/activity reports; analyze data and reports.
• Coordinate, develop, and maintain partnerships with others such as real estate agents, bankers, eligible households, and funders.
• Oversee the application process and work with qualifying applicants and contractors to complete identified improvements.  Manage the program’s waiting list.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local grant guidelines, regulations, and requirements.
   

Business Support:  Act as coordinator/manager for special projects:

• Oversee complicated and politically sensitive projects/issues, as assigned by the Executive Director.
• Perform research, analysis, reports and presentations, documentation, and compile information for various topics/projects.
• Coordinate and serve as project lead or liaison to both internal and external groups. 
• Support and promote Next Stage business program to cities, Chambers, potential and existing business owners.