Community Development Director

Posted: 12/11/2024

JOB VACANCY #:  JV 2024-56
THE POSITION OF:  CD Director
DEPARTMENT/DIVISION OF:  Community Development
FLSA CLASSIFICATION:  Exempt
SCHEDULE:  Full-Time
SALARY:   DOQ

Qualified, interested candidates must submit an application and current resume to:
Application – www.readingpa.gov/employment-application-2
Email – jobs@readingpa.gov or kenneth.perez@readingpa.gov
Subject – Community Development Director

Position Summary

The Community Development (CD) Director is responsible for developing and supporting programs and policies that implement the Administration’s vision for “building a better Reading together.” The Director manages two Deputy Directors and the operations of six (6) divisions, including Planning & Zoning, Property maintenance, Building & Trades, Business Development, CED Programs, and Housing & Blight Remediation.

Typical duties may include but not limited to:

  • Manages personnel within the Community Development Department, including hiring, training, work supervision, and problem solving.
  • Leads coordination efforts among CD Divisions, other City agencies, and city business and community partners. Identifies and implements programs and policies to increase operational efficiency and improve City services.
  • Monitors CD programs and activities to ensure they are meeting the community’s needs as well as local, state, and federal mandates.
  • Develops, implements, and evaluates goals and objectives, policies and procedures, program guidelines, and short and long range goals for the Divisions.
  • Develops comprehensive performance measures and reports to evaluate the Division’s outcomes.
  • Represents the Department in various city, regional, and community meetings and public hearings, as required.
  • Directs HUD-related funding initiatives, including overseeing HUD grant applications, reporting, and implementation of HUD programs.
  • Serves as Executive Director of the Reading Redevelopment Authority.
  • Serves as City Liaison to the CRIZ Authority.
  • Fosters economic development, redevelopment, growth, expansion, retention, and attraction of new and existing businesses in an effort to improve employment opportunities and foster economic growth.
  • Creates and manages programs to assist in economic growth of the City.
  • Promotes neighborhood stabilization through homeownership as well as owner-occupied and rental housing rehabilitation assistance.
  • Oversees the development and implementation of a city-wide blight remediation strategy.
  • Identifies and oversees the application of local, state and federal grants that support community development initiatives.
  • Provides direction to the drafting of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan, and other plans that support City revitalization efforts.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:   

Educational Requirements / Experience

  • Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Urban Planning, Political Science, or other related field.
  • Master’s degree in one of the above subjects, or other related field, is preferred.
  • Minimum of eight (8) years’ experience in essential responsibilities and duties of this position.
  • Demonstrated experience in construction methods and materials, renovating, demolition and management of significant public projects.
  • Demonstrated experience working with residents, developers, and businesses.
  • Experience working with contractors, tradespersons, and non-profit housing organizations, a plus.
  • Demonstrated experience in negotiation complex transactions with ability to close large deals.