Housing & Community Development Director

East Pennsboro; Enola (PA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement/pension plan

Paid leave

Job summary

East Pennsboro Township is seeking a Housing & Community Development Director to provide strategic leadership and oversight for all housing, zoning, planning, and development functions. You will manage staff, coordinate with boards and external agencies, and guide responsible growth within the township.

The director will direct building code administration, subdivision review, and comprehensive planning efforts, while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Community Development, Urban Planning, Public Administration, Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of six (6) years of municipal experience.
• Minimum of four (4) years of supervisory or management experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of municipal planning experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of zoning administration or zoning enforcement experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of code enforcement experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and overall direction for all Housing & Community Development Department operations.
• Plan, organize, administer, and evaluate departmental programs, policies, goals, and initiatives.
• Develop and implement departmental policies, procedures, and operational standards that promote efficiency, consistency, and regulatory compliance.
• Direct, supervise, mentor, and evaluate department personnel, either directly or through division supervisors.
• Establish departmental priorities, allocate resources, and ensure the effective delivery of services.
• Promote a culture of professionalism, accountability, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee building plan reviews and permitting, inspections, and code enforcement.
• Coordinate with boards, commissions, and external agencies on planning and development matters.

Education

Associate's degree in Community Development or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Housing & Community Development Director

Position Summary

The Director of Housing & Community Development is responsible for the leadership, administration, and strategic oversight of the Township's Housing & Community Development Department. This position plans, directs, and coordinates all departmental operations, ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations while delivering exceptional public service. The Director oversees building code administration, zoning, planning, code enforcement, permitting, subdivision and land development review, and comprehensive planning activities. The position serves as the Township's primary advisor on community development matters, provides staff support to multiple boards and commissions, manages departmental personnel and budgets, and coordinates with internal departments, outside agencies, and the public to support responsible growth and development within the Township.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and overall direction for all Housing & Community Development Department operations.
• Plan, organize, administer, and evaluate departmental programs, policies, goals, and initiatives.
• Develop and implement departmental policies, procedures, and operational standards that promote efficiency, consistency, and regulatory compliance.
• Direct, supervise, mentor, and evaluate department personnel, either directly or through division supervisors.
• Establish departmental priorities, allocate resources, and ensure the effective delivery of services.
• Promote a culture of professionalism, accountability, customer service, and continuous improvement.

Operational Oversight

• Building Plan Reviews and Building Permitting
• Building Inspections and Building Code Administration
• Uniform Construction Code (UCC) Enforcement
• Zoning Administration and Enforcement
• Property Maintenance and Code Enforcement
• Subdivision and Land Development Review
• Comprehensive Planning
• Ordinance Development and Amendments

Oversee and, when operationally necessary, personally perform plan reviews, inspections, permit reviews, zoning determinations, and enforcement activities to ensure compliance with Township ordinances and applicable state regulations.

Budget and Fiscal Management

• Prepare, administer, and monitor the Housing & Community Development Department budget in coordination with division heads and the Township Manager.
• Monitor expenditures and recommend budget adjustments as necessary.
• Maintain sound financial management practices and general accounting oversight for departmental operations.

Police Development and Strategic Planning

• Lead long-range planning initiatives that support responsible community growth and development.
• Develop and recommend revisions to zoning ordinances, subdivision and land development regulations, building-related ordinances, and other community development regulations.
• Assist in the preparation and implementation of the Township Comprehensive Plan and other planning initiatives.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes affecting municipal planning, zoning, code enforcement, and construction and recommend appropriate policy changes.

Board, Commission, Governing Body Support & Interdepartmental and External Coordination

Serve as the staff advisor and provide professional support to the:

• Planning Commission
• Zoning Hearing Board
• Environmental Advisory Council
• Industrial and Commercial Development Authority

Responsibilities include preparing reports, recommendations, agendas, presentations, and supporting documentation for meetings. Attend meetings of the Board of Commissioners and assigned boards, commissions, and authorities. Attend and serve as liaison to the Recreation Board, Fire Rescue Advisory Committee, and Stormwater Authority, as needed. Coordinate departmental activities with all Township departments.

Develop and maintain productive working relationships with external agencies and organizations, including:

• Cumberland County Planning Department
• Assessment Office
• Recorder of Deeds
• Redevelopment Authority
• Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors
• Third-party building code administration providers
• Third-party engineers

Technical and Regulatory Responsibilities

• Perform or oversee building, zoning, and subdivision/land development plan reviews.
• Perform or oversee building, zoning, and code enforcement inspections.
• Interpret and enforce applicable building codes, zoning ordinances, subdivision and land development regulations, and related Township ordinances.
• Review proposed ordinances and prepare new ordinances and amendments as needed.
• Ensure compliance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code and other applicable regulations.

Public Service

• Provide professional guidance and technical assistance to property owners, developers, contractors, consultants, elected officials, and the general public.
• Respond to inquiries, concerns, and complaints regarding planning, zoning, permitting, inspections, and code enforcement matters.
• Represent the Township professionally during public meetings and community engagement activities.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Associate's degree in Community Development, Urban Planning, Public Administration, Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience demonstrating comprehensive knowledge and competency in community development.
• Minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible municipal experience.
• Minimum of four (4) years of supervisory or management experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of municipal planning experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of zoning administration or zoning enforcement experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of code enforcement experience.

Certifications and Licenses

• Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC) Building Code Official Certification.
• Accessibility Plans Examiner/Inspector Certification.
• Minimum of five (5) Pennsylvania UCC certifications.
• Valid Pennsylvania Driver’s License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of municipal planning, zoning, subdivision and land development, building codes, code enforcement, and the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and personnel management skills.
• Excellent verbal communication skills for one-on-one interactions, public meetings, and presentations.
• Excellent written communication skills, including reports, correspondence, ordinances, and planning documents.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, technical documents, and municipal ordinances.
• General accounting and budget management knowledge.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, staff, outside agencies, developers, contractors, and the public.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry materials as required for the position.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods while conducting field inspections.
• Ability to perform site visits on active construction sites and traverse uneven terrain.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary negotiable and commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement/pension plan, and paid leave.