Community & Economic Development Director

Forsyth County; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Forsyth County in North Carolina seeks a seasoned administrator to oversee the economic development program, code enforcement activities, and affordable housing initiatives. The role requires independent judgment, extensive public interaction, and the ability to coordinate with county officials and partner agencies.

Responsibilities include overseeing housing activities, legal documents, grants, and economic development, plus staff supervision and report preparation.

Qualifications

• Requires a four-year degree and four years of increasingly responsible professional experience in public administration.
• Experience with nonprofit or governmental housing programs or Community Development Block Grant programs preferred.
• Must have a valid North Carolina driver's license.
• A higher education level may substitute for part or all of the experience requirement.

Responsibilities

• Oversees affordable housing efforts including home ownership, rehabilitation, and new construction activities; manages policy development, financing models, budgeting, program evaluation, and stakeholder relations.
• Oversees preparation and execution of legal documents (easements, deeds of trusts, promissory notes).
• Oversees the code enforcement program to ensure housing remains safe and habitable; conducts administrative hearings and rulings.
• Prepares federal and state housing grant applications and lobbies for grant approval and housing legislation.
• Oversees the county’s economic development program and ensures incentive requests comply with statutes and county policy.
• Collaborates with Greater Winston-Salem Inc. to engage businesses considering Forsyth County.

Skills

Public administration experience

Grant writing

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in planning, public administration, political science or related field

Job description

General Statement of Duties

Opportunity to be responsible for the oversight of the County's economic development program, code enforcement activities, and all affordable housing programs in Forsyth County. Work involves extensive contact with the public, governmental officials, and other agencies. Independent judgment, initiative, tact, and courtesy are required. Work is performed under general supervision and is evaluated for effectiveness in conferences and by review of reports.

Minimum Education And Experience

Graduation from a four-year college with a degree in planning, public administration, political science or related field and four years of increasingly responsible professional experience in public administration. Prefer experience with nonprofit or governmental housing programs or Community Development Block Grant programs. Must have a valid N. C. driver's license. A four-year degree outside of the relevant academic field plus additional years of relevant experience may also be considered. A higher education level may be considered as a substitution for all or part of the experience requirement.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Oversees the department’s affordable housing efforts including home ownership, rehabilitation, and new construction activities. Such activities include policy/guideline development, development of complex financing models, program implementation, budgeting, program evaluation, media relations, legislative liaison efforts and both customer and funders relationships.
• Oversees the preparation and execution of legal documents pertaining to easements, deeds of trusts, and promissory notes.
• Oversees the County’s code enforcement program which requires residents to maintain their homes/properties in a condition that makes the housing premises safe, sanitary, and fit for human habitation.
• Conducts administrative hearings and ruling on the actions to be taken by owners in making specified repairs to their property and the time frame in which the repairs must be completed.
• Prepares federal and state housing grant applications, and lobbies officials for grant approval and housing legislation.
• Oversees the County’s economic development program. Ensures incentive requests are in compliance with NC General Statutes, County economic development guidelines, and County policy and budgetary priorities.
• Works with Greater Winston-Salem Inc. to meet with businesses that are interested in locating in Forsyth County or expanding their current usiness that already has a presence in the County.
• Serves as staff liaison with governmental officials, public and private housing agenciesbusinesses and the public in gathering and disseminating information.
• Monitors the work of staff through case reviews, progress reports, conferencse and informal discussions to ensure compliance with operational standards and established policies.
• Prepares documents and keeps financial records relating to audits and monitoring inspections.
• Maintaining a specific license such as a driver's license in good standing, without a lapse or loss of a privilege to drive in compliance with North Carolina law, and in compliance with applicable DOT standards for commercial motor vehicle drivers if required to perform the duties assigned to the position.
• Performs financial reports and pro forums relating to the construction and rehabilitation of low and moderate income housing.
• Provides information to the Board of County Commissioners and the County Manager as requested.
• Performs related work as needed.

These links do not apply to positions that are Part Time, no benefits.

01 What best describes your level of education?

• Did not finish high school
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree or higher

02 Do you have a valid North Carolina driver's license or can you obtain one within 60 days of employment?

• Yes
• No

03 Do you have experience working with nonprofit or governmental housing programs, Community Development Block Grant programs, or economic development programs?

• Yes
• No

04 Which best describes your professional experience in public administration?

• No Experience
• 1 to 2 years
• 2 to 3 years
• 4 years or more

05 Do you have experience preparing and writing grants?

• Yes
• No

06 Are you comfortable presenting information in a public setting?

• Yes
• No

07 How many years of experience do you have experience maintaining financial records?

• None
• 0 to 1years
• 2 to 3 years
• 4 years or more
• Required Question