Community & Economic Development Director

Forsyth County (NC); Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Forsyth County (NC) seeks a leader to oversee its economic development program, code enforcement activities, and affordable housing initiatives. The role involves extensive contact with the public and government officials and requires independent judgment and tact.

Candidates should hold a four-year degree in planning, public administration, political science or related field, plus four years of progressive public administration experience; NC driver's license required.

Qualifications

• Four-year degree in planning, public administration, political science or related field.
• Four years of progressively responsible professional experience in public administration.
• Preference for experience with nonprofit/government housing or CDBG programs.
• Must have a valid North Carolina driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Oversee affordable housing activities including policy/guideline development, financing models, program implementation, budgeting, evaluation, media relations, legislative liaison, and funder relations.
• Oversee preparation and execution of legal documents (easements, deeds of trust, promissory notes).
• Oversee the code enforcement program to ensure housing is safe and habitable.
• Conduct administrative hearings and rulings on required property repairs and deadlines.
• Prepare federal/state housing grant applications and advocate for grant approval and housing legislation.
• Oversee the county’s economic development program ensuring incentives comply with statutes and policies.
• Collaborate with Greater Winston-Salem Inc. to engage businesses considering Forsyth County.
• Serve as staff liaison with officials, housing agencies, businesses, and the public.
• Monitor staff performance and maintain financial records for audits and inspections.
• Maintain required professional license and compliance with DOT standards if applicable.
• Produce financial reports related to construction and rehabilitation of housing for low/moderate income.
• Provide information to the Board of County Commissioners and County Manager.
• Perform related duties as needed.

Skills

Public administration

Planning

Policy development

Community liaison

Education

Bachelor’s degree in planning/public administration/political science or related field

Job description

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.

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.

• 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 agencies/businesses 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.