Community Development Services Coordinator

Position: Community Development Services Coordinator

Department: Development Services Department

Employment Status: Permanent - Full Time - Non-Exempt

Schedule: Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Compensation: Grade 5: $19.20/hour

POSITION SUMMARY

The City of Morgantown is committed to providing area residents and businesses with the best quality of life. The Community Development Services coordinator will work residents, City agencies and other stakeholder groups to identify, create, implement and evaluate new policies, programs, projects and initiatives that make Morgantown a great please to live, work, play, raise a family and retire.

In addition to serving as the primary point of contact and support staff for the City’s Neighborhood Coordinating Council, the Coordinator will be responding for developing and managing a tool-lending center (library) for the community. The mobile library (initially) will be designed to help residents address property maintenance issues and keep our diverse neighborhoods clean, safe and inviting.

The Community Development Service Coordinator reports directly to the City Planner.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES – KNOWLEDGE – SKILLS – ABILITIES

• Provides administrative support and technical assistance to the Neighborhood Coordinating Council. This involves preparing meeting agendas, minutes and following up on matters brought forth by the Council.
• Serves as the primary point of contact (liaison) between the City Administration, Development Services Department, and the Neighborhood Coordinating Council. This includes facilitating monthly meetings and following up on special requests/action items from the Council meeting.
• Works City agencies and neighborhood stakeholders to identify, develop, implement, and evaluate community-based policies, projects, programs and initiatives that are equitable and effectuate positive change in the community. This may include but is not limited to developing and implementing goals, policies and procedures that encourage public art in area neighborhoods, as well as investments in the City’s housing stock and commercial properties. Examples include developing and administering an owner-occupied rehabilitation loan program and downtown façade improvement program.
• Leads an initiative to develop, implement and maintain a tool-lending center (library) for the community. In so doing, the Community Development Services Coordinator will coordinate with other City agencies to promote, coordinate, and monitor the use of the tool lending center.
• Works with staff to develop short and long-range strategies to enhance the quality of life in Morgantown neighborhoods.
• Assists with the coordination and hosting of community day events.
• Works with City staff to organize and promote and conduct public outreach/participation efforts associated with planning and community development projects.
• May represent, participate in and/or assist staff with public meetings for the Morgantown Land Reuse and Preservation Agency and the Morgantown Housing Advisory Committee.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Strong organizational skills, problem-solving skills, and proficiency with Microsoft Office 365.
• Be knowledgeable of events and happenings in the area. Plan and promote accordingly.
• Ability to work and interact with able to work with diverse people and interest groups.
• Ability to work weekends and evening hours when required.
• Must have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with the general public, City officials, the news media, and volunteers and effectively present information and respond to questions from public officials and the public.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical. procedures, or governmental regulations

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Minimal external work or occasional exposure to physically demanding, unpleasant, strenuous, and/or hazardous situations. Work is primarily performed in an office setting but may require regular fieldwork.
• Indoor work includes long stretches of time sitting in front of a computer in an office setting.
• Field Work – Depending on assignment, the position requires the ability to operate a motor vehicle and walk on uneven surfaces. This may initially involve pulling the tool lending library behind a motor vehicle to a designated location to facilitate neighborhood cleanup projects or private use of a tool that cannot be picked up and returned by a resident.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel; talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

USE OF TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT

• Position has daily use of computers, the Internet, Smartphones, etc. to create databases, spreadsheets, or reports. Position designs and creates customized reports, presentations, and/or documents using advanced software skills.
• General office equipment is frequently used, including but not limited to computers, laptops, telephones and cell phone, printers, scanners, and cameras. A motor vehicle is frequently used.

CONTACT & SUPERVISION

• Position involves frequent internal and external contacts which require public relations skills in handling complaints. Contacts involve non-routine problems and require in-depth discussion and/or persuasion in order to resolve the problem. Handles more difficult contacts that are referred by front line employees.
• This position does not have any direct reports.
• Reports to the Director of Development Services.

The City of Morgantown is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in community development, urban planning, political science, public administration, business administration, or a related field from a four-year college or university.

Certification/License:

• Valid Driver's License

Experience and Required Skills:

• 1-3 years of experience in program planning and/or implementation experience in urban, community, or neighborhood development activities, neighborhood revitalization, and neighborhood services.
• Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• The applicant should understand the theory, principles, standards and practices of urban planning, traditional neighborhood design, and the tools and techniques for creating and sustaining vibrant urban neighborhoods.
• Experience building consensus and developing independent programs and policies in a fast-paced environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Project Management experience
• 4-6 years of experience in the coordination and administration of community development related services.
• A Master’s degree in an urban planning, public administration, or related field can be substituted for the minimum or preferred work experience requirement.