COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR City of Corvallis, Oregon

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR City of Corvallis, Oregon

Corvallis Community Corvallis is in the heart of Oregon's Willamette Valley. Ideally located, the City is 90 minutes from Portland and close to the Cascade Mountains and Pacific Coast shoreline. Located in Benton County, Corvallis is the County seat, has a residential population of 56,535 and is home to Oregon State University. Corvallis is a community that focuses on livability. The downtown and University neighborhoods are walkable and Corvallis is one of the best cities in the nation for bicycling. In addition, the fareless public transit service, Corvallis Transit System (CTS) provides bus service throughout the City with connections to neighboring communities, Philomath and Albany. With a beautiful waterfront and vibrant businesses, Corvallis is a place to shop. The downtown shops and restaurants are predominately locally owned and operated. Additional shopping opportunities are located throughout town and include major retail outlets mixed alongside trendy stores, unique coffee bars and restaurants. From affordable to whimsical, Corvallis offers something to suit every style. Surrounded by fertile countryside, Corvallis is home to many creative chefs whose restaurants serve wine from locally owned, nationally recognized wineries. Local brew masters from five different breweries make their home in Corvallis and produce quality craft beer. In addition to craft beers, fantastic ciders are made from locally produced apples, honey and other special ingredients. Corvallis has a thriving arts and cultural community. Great artists, photographers, musicians and performing artists routinely display their talents at a variety of venues in town. The City has more than 45 beautiful parks and recreational areas with 2,000 acres of parks, play grounds, playing fields, trails, open spaces and natural areas. Given its location in the heart of the Willamette Valley, Corvallis is also minutes away from a multitude of other recreation opportunities. Education plays an important role in Corvallis and begins early with an active preschool population. The well-regarded Corvallis Benton County Public Library emphasizes early literacy and hosts many events focused on lifelong learning for all ages. Benton County has the reputation for having some of the strongest schools in the State and the Corvallis School District is no different. With approximately 6,200 students, many of the local K-12 schools achieve awards for academics, activities and athletics. The presence of Oregon State University contributes to the City s vibrancy. It is an integral part of the local community with approximately 24,980 students and roughly 9,280 employees. The University is considered one of the nation s leading research universities and serves as Oregon s leading source of basic applied research in forestry, agriculture, fisheries, engineering, electronics, home economics and the sciences for the development of human, land, atmospheric and oceanic resources. Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC) based in Albany has a strong presence in Corvallis at the Benton Center, which serves more than 7,000 students each year. LBCC is the sixth-largest community college in Oregon and offers a wide variety of transfer, career and technical programs. In addition, the college offers the LBCC/OSU Degree Partnership Program providing dual enrollment services to students. The influence of a major research university, thriving sectors of high tech, agribusiness, biosciences, healthcare and green energy, along with an educated workforce result in a solid local economy. In fact, Forbes magazine ranks Corvallis among its top 20 Best Small Places for Business and Careers. Additionally, scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Santa Fe Institute in New Mexico found that Corvallis led the nation in patented inventions as well as economic output, personal income and preventing violent crime.

Position Lead, direct and coordinate the activities of the Community Development Department comprised of the Planning, Housing and Neighborhood Services, CD Administration, and Development Services Divisions. These tasks are illustrative only and may include other related duties. The Community Development Director: Assumes full leadership and management responsibility for all Community Development Department services and activities, including current and long-range planning, building inspection, code compliance, social services allocations, plan review, permit processing, engineering, historic preservation, affordable housing and community livability. Administers and interprets the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development and other codes; ensures compliance with Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations; drafts code provisions or amendments to correct deficiencies or effect compliance with new laws or regulations; develops plans or programs to satisfy future needs for department services. Budget responsibilities: o Prepares annual and long range budget projections. o Monitors and manages annual budget to assure the department operates within budget appropriations. o Directs Fund Managers for the Development Services Fund, and Community Development Revolving Fund. Serves as a member of the City's Senior Management Group to address overall policy issues under guidelines established by the City Council and the City Manager. Manages and directs department personnel. Performs personnel duties such as selection, motivation, development, training, evaluation, discipline and discharge of employees. Establishes performance standards; counsels employees as appropriate. Promotes and implements manager and supervisor development activities. Facilitates goal and objective development with division management personnel. Responds to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations. Contributes to the overall quality of the department s service by developing, reviewing, and implementing policies and procedures to meet legal requirements and City needs; continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs the implementation of change. Represents the department to various committees, commissions, community groups, City Council and the public. Responds to complaints, concerns and issues. Coordinates and supports a wide variety of advisory commissions and groups. Represents department on City-wide task teams. Represents the City on regional and state-wide committees and in legislative matters. Oversees and leads City efforts in the areas of social services allocations, historic preservation, community livability, and code enforcement activities.

Priorities and Opportunities Develop and maintain positive relationships within the Community Development Department, City Council, and City staff. Work to understand the current organization, operations, culture and structure. Look for improvements in department s delivery of service. Establish trust and encourage collaboration within the Community Development Department, with other City departments and with the Community. Proactively collaborate with Oregon State University. Responsible for City Staff review of an update to the OSU Campus Master Plan. Oversee Community Development staff support for an upcoming series of projects including: o Update of the Corvallis Buildable Land Inventory; o Development of a new Community Vision and Action Plan; o Comprehensive Plan Update. Assisting Mayor appointed task force that will identify and determine strategies to create additional low income and work force housing opportunities. Provide staff support to several project based task forces and advisory groups in addition to providing ongoing support to six appointed Advisory Boards and Commissions. Ideal Candidate A strong leader who is energetic, positive and customer-focused and can build and maintain relationships and work in a variety of team situations with peers, staff, elected officials, and community stakeholders. A leader who can evaluate the department s organizational structure looking for efficiencies and improvements in the delivery of departmental services. Is someone who thrives in a dynamic and demanding environment in a community that has diverse expectations regarding the appropriate balance between community growth and livability. Is well versed in planning and land use practices, but also has knowledge and experience with housing programs, code compliance and development permitting. Has strong political acumen, but is not political. Has superior communication skills and is someone who establishes trust and respect quickly with a variety of audiences. Is a team player in creating and implementing policy that involves several stakeholder departments in the planning and development review process. Has recent experience in a Comprehensive Plan Update and Community Visioning Process. Knows how to be flexible but firm when appropriate. Has a strong service outlook with a dynamic and results-driven approach to problem solving. Is someone who leads by example to achieve greater levels of customer service. A positive and enthusiastic mentor who fosters a spirit of teamwork and engages staff to maintain a professional yet fun work atmosphere. Always exercises good judgment in working with the public, community groups, City Council, and Planning Commission in a constructive, straightforward manner; must be politically sensitive and will be calm and composed under pressure. Has experience in managing a budget based on a set expenditure limit, which includes a variety of revenue sources including federal grants, property taxes and fees for service. Will be technologically progressive and experienced with automated building permitting and planning entitlement software.

Qualifications Bachelor s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Planning, Housing, or a related field, is required. Master s degree preferred. Seven years of municipal administrative experience in community development and at least two years of supervisory experience. American Institute of Certified Planners or Building Official Certificate desirable. Comprehensive knowledge of or ability to become knowledgeable of Oregon laws related to land use planning, building codes, regional issues, code compliance practices, housing assistance, social services, and economic development practices and programs. For the complete job description: Community Development Director. Compensation and Benefits $101,000 - $129,000 DOQ The City of Corvallis offers an attractive benefits package, including: City-paid contribution to OPSRP, Deferred Compensation Plan (457), City-paid life insurance, Cafeteria 125 Plan to use towards medical, dental, vision. Excellent vacation and sick leave accrual rates with 10 paid holidays per year. Apply For immediate consideration, please apply on the City of Corvallis website www.corvallisoregon.gov, Human Resources, Job Opportunities. Applications must be submitted by 5:00pm on June 30, 2015. Included with your resume should be a cover letter expressing how your interest and accomplishments align with the needs of Corvallis. For additional information or questions, please contact Mary Beth Altmann Hughes, Human Resources Director at marybeth.altmannhughes@corvallisoregon.gov. The City of Corvallis is committed to the principles of equality of opportunity for all citizens of the community. The City is an equal opportunity employer and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The City does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, race, color, political affiliation, or mental or physical disabilities. It is the policy of the City of Corvallis to comply with all applicable laws regarding veterans preference.