Assistant Community Development Director

Please note that applications must be completed and submitted by 11:59 pm ET on the day prior to the close date listed on the job posting.

Mission: Provide Superior Services that Inspire Community Pride

Vision: To be the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay

Values: Integrity, Collaboration, Passion, Creativity

Largo's commitment to a High Performance Organization (HPO) model builds a flexible and resilient organization that intentionally builds leadership capacity at all levels of the organization.

CITY OF LARGO ... Naturally A Great Place to Work

Closing:
03/8/2025

Salary:
$92,310 - 147,701 USD Annually

Job Summary:
Are you a visionary leader with a passion for community development, economic growth, and strategic planning? The City of Largo is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Assistant Community Development Director to help drive the city's future by overseeing key initiatives and fostering stakeholder partnerships.

About the Role
As a key executive in the Community Development Department, you will:
Provide strategic leadership across multiple divisions, including Planning & Development Services, Economic Development and Housing.
Develop and implement policies, strategies, and budgets that align with the city's growth and sustainability goals.
Engage with investors, businesses, and community stakeholders to foster economic opportunities and improve quality of life.
Oversee operations with a high degree of independence, initiative, and judgment.
Collaborate with city leaders, residents, and external agencies to ensure the successful execution of development initiatives.

What We're Looking For
\uD83D\uDD39 A dynamic leader with experience in urban planning, economic development, or a related field.
\uD83D\uDD39 Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.
\uD83D\uDD39 Proven ability to manage multiple divisions, projects, and teams effectively.
\uD83D\uDD39 Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
\uD83D\uDD39 Knowledge of zoning laws, housing policies, and economic development strategies.

Join Us for the chance to make a lasting impact on the future of Largo.

Additional Benefits:

- Additional $7,400 employee benefit dollars; the unused balance of which can be kept as taxable income

- Defined Contribution Plan 401(a) with a generous 8% City match

- Benefits also include 12 paid holidays and 24 hour full access to City fitness center. Continuous learning is supported through tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities.
- May receive $6,000 in relocation assistance for candidates outside Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, or Manatee counties.

- Flexible workplace schedule

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

All employees share components of leadership, management, technical, and team skills to assist in making the City of Largo the community of choice in Tampa Bay.

Leadership

• Demonstrates an understanding and reflection of the City's mission, vision, and values and a commitment to achieve organizational goals aligned with the City's strategic plan
• Champions a high-performance work culture that encourages and embraces new ideas, develops individuals and welcomes and encourages diverse perspectives
• Articulates strategic and innovative thinking and provides clarity to deliver superior services
• Approaches the job with enthusiasm and curiosity to promote a solutions-oriented work culture
• Coordinates and supervises the research, formulation, annual review, amendment, and maintenance of the Largo Comprehensive Plan
• Directs the work of professionals and consultants engaged in special programs, special projects, or other initiatives such as the Neighborhood Partnership Program, the implementation of the Largo Strategic Plan, the Community Redevelopment Districts, and the Comprehensive Plan
• Directs and coordinates the work of assigned Community Development Department Divisions
• Directs and participates in building and development services, long-range planning, and redevelopment initiatives
• Works with departmental management to ensure City policies and programming are enacted with respect to growth management and programming requirements; assists with the development and implementation of various programs and projects
• Represents the department as needed in inter-agency and inter-governmental liaison activities
• Coordinates, supervises, and/or carries out strategies of the City's Strategic Plan, including research and analysis, policy formulation, evaluation, and, where directed, implementation
• Coordinates, supervises, and/or carries out a program of citizen participation and education for assigned divisions on building, planning and development, and code enforcement-related issues within the City, other agencies, public and private, as well as City staff
• Directs the project management of specific assigned projects, including management of consultants
• Acts as the administrative head of the department during the absence of the Community Development Director, including functioning as the Development Controls Officer; represents the department, when needed, in inter-agency liaison activities
• Coordinates the preparation of the Community Development Department's annual budget and Capital Improvement Program projects

Management

• Effectively manages assignments and priorities to ensure the fulfillment of projects, tasks, and responsibilities
• Follows suggested procedures to ensure the highest standards of risk management, employee safety, and risk avoidance
• Directs and supervises various professionals; participates in the selection, training, evaluation, supervision, and discipline of personnel
• Conducts and attends various meetings (Planning Board, Code Enforcement Board, Commission Meetings, etc.)

Technical

• Conducts in-depth research on complex topics to gather relevant information and data; creates and presents content
• Researches and develops ordinances for the City

Team Skills

• Supports honest and transparent decision-making
• Collaborates with all team members in a way that builds upon ideas and takes personal accountability and ownership of projects, roles, and assignments
• Openly exhibits a positive attitude, in words and action, and encourages others to do the same

Performs related work as required.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE STATUS: As a condition of employment, City of Largo employees will be required to work as directed during an undeclared and/or a declared emergency. All employees are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the normal work location, and may include duties other than those specified in the official job description.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree (Master's preferred) in Business or Public Administration, Planning, or a closely related field and eight (8) years of progressive, professional experience in municipal comprehensive planning, zoning, exposure to building construction practices, housing, economic development, and grant programs; or an equivalent combination of training and experience
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Professional Engineer (PE), American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), Florida Redevelopment Association Redevelopment Administrator or Redevelopment Professional certifications, preferred
• Valid Driver's License

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of principles and practices of economic development, redevelopment, and real estate development
• Advanced knowledge of organizational structure, practice, and services in economic development, planning, building, permitting, code compliance, and housing
• Have a solid policy background with a passion for real estate development, placemaking, and urban planning
• Be able to immerse oneself in Florida's real estate development and policy issues
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively create and facilitate presentations to elected officials and the ability to present complex and technical information to all audiences
• Demonstrated ability to create healthy and productive working relationships with team members, city officials, executives, and the public
• Practice inclusive HPO principles that invite leaders from all levels of the organization to continue to innovative solutions
• Promote collaboration to achieve common operational and organizational goals
• Considerable experience in economic, community development, and redevelopment, as well as business development
• Ability to establish working strategic relationships with customers, economic development agencies, developers, businesses, engineering/architectural firms, and internal team members and stakeholders
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of housing and state/federal grant programs and regulations
• Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of engineering and physical design as generally related to development and redevelopment
• Knowledge of the application of technology for permitting and development review functions, departmental management, and planning analysis
• Ability to plan, assign, supervise, and review work of professional and technical employees
• Ability to develop creative planning solutions to complex planning and/or complex municipal problems and to analyze and systematically compile technical and statistical information in the preparation of technical reports
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by the work
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work Environment: 95% inside a climate-controlled building, 5% outside a climate-controlled building, 5% outside a climate-controlled building, and 5% outside, which includes driving.

Physical Requirements: The essential functions of the job require sitting approximately six (6) hours per day, standing approximately one (1) hour per day, and walking approximately one (1) hour per day. The job also requires frequent: fine manipulations, grasping, reaching, and repetitive motion, with occasional: lifting/carrying objects weighing up to 15 pounds. On rare occasions, the work requires bending/stooping and lifting/carrying objects weighing up to 44 pounds.

Sensory Requirements: Hearing: Ability to understand what others are saying in normal conversation and on the telephone. Speaking: Ability to communicate orally with others and speak effectively on the phone and while giving formal presentations to groups. Seeing: Ability to see and read plans and computer monitor screens, operate a vehicle, and read normal and/or fine print.

Driving Requirements: Requires occasional driving and possession of a valid Florida Driver's License.
Technology: The work requires the ability to operate telephones, smartphones, tablets, photocopiers, printers, desktop and laptop computers, calculators, and all associated software. It also requires proficiency with computer hardware and software programs, including word processing, spreadsheet and/or database applications, internet applications, and database management.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

No - DRUG TESTING (Safety Sensitive)

No - CHILDCARE FINGERPRINTING

Yes - CREDIT CHECK

No - FDLE AND CJSTC SECURITY CLEARANCE: As mandated by the FDLE, CJSTC, and the Largo Police Department, this position may be subject to additional security clearances due to access to the police department facility or police department's electronic data.

---