Neighborhood Revitalization Manager

WHO WE ARE 

Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) works to preserve and increase the supply of affordable housing; maintain existing housing in a safe and sanitary condition; preserve the safety and quality of residential and commercial areas; ensure fair and equitable relations between landlords and tenants; and support the success of common ownership communities – all with a focus on reducing racial inequities and climate change impacts. 

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR 

DHCA is seeking a leader with strong strategic, analytical, and community engagement skills to direct neighborhood revitalization efforts. The ideal candidate will manage complex programs and policies aimed at preventing neighborhood decline through data-driven analysis and community involvement. They should have experience overseeing initiatives like the Focus Neighborhood Area (FNA) program, using data and public input to guide revitalization activities and ensure successful implementation. 

What You'll Be Doing

The Section Manager will oversee and guide professional staff in executing a range of complex neighborhood revitalization programs, including developing Focus Neighborhood Area (FNA) Action Plans. They will manage the completion of capital improvement projects, such as commercial facade easement programs, streetscaping, and other neighborhood enhancements. 

The Manager is responsible for assisting with budget planning, allocating federal, state, and county resources for revitalization efforts, and ensuring compliance with all relevant laws, rules, and regulations when approving payments. Strong public speaking and presentation skills are essential, as the Section Manager you will lead public meetings to gather community input and present findings, projects, and reports to decision-making bodies. The role also includes representing the department at various interagency meetings and task forces, such as with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Planning Board. Additionally, as a manager of unionized employees, the Section Manager will foster a positive labor relations environment built on trust, respect, and cooperation.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree.

Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in a field related to urban planning, community development, and/or commercial revitalization.  

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences

All applicants will be reviewed by OHR for minimum qualifications. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be rated "Qualified," placed on the Eligible List, and may be considered for interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are same grade or higher will be placed on Eligible List as a "Transfer" candidate and may be considered for interview.  

Preference for interviews will be given to applicants with experience in the following:  

• Expertise in developing, analyzing, and executing policies, plans, and strategies for community planning and the revitalization/redevelopment of neighborhoods and commercial areas in a county with over one million residents.
• Proficient in financial oversight, budget preparation, procurement, human resources, grant and contract development, as well as managing consultant and construction activities using federal, state, and local funds, while ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.
• Skilled in creating and implementing action plans, including designing surveys and performing data analysis.
• Experienced in managing capital construction projects, including land acquisition and disposition, site improvements, overseeing construction bids, supervising construction activities, and related responsibilities.
• Proficient in public speaking and collaborating with elected and appointed officials, managers, public and private sector representatives, businesses, and community groups to present information and garner support for recommendations.
• Experienced in leading a team of professional staff members on diverse and complex projects.

The selection process will assess core leadership competencies such as Customer Service Orientation, Commitment to Diversity, Communication and Persuasion Skills, Teamwork and Collaboration, as well as Balanced Risk-Taking and Innovation. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position.

Montgomery County Government(MCG)  is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should email OHR at OHR@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.

MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.

All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.

This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.