REDEVELOPMENT AND SPECIAL PROJECTS DIRECTOR

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM CIVIL SERVICE

Appointment and continued employment are at the pleasure of the Commissioner – City Development.

 The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

Under the direction of the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of City Development (DCD), the Redevelopment and Special Projects Director formulates housing policy for the City of Milwaukee and promotes new development and redevelopment that creates a diversity of housing choices in the City of Milwaukee.

STAFF MANAGEMENT

• Provide oversight and direction to the Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation (NIDC), its programs and employees. Approve policies, program design, and procedures. 
• Manage and monitor the delivery of City investment to projects upon approval, including structuring development agreements, approving payments, and developing workout plans if projects are not developed as anticipated.

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT 

• Serve as the primary resource for housing policy, development and redevelopment. 
• Work with private developers, both for-profit and non-profit, to coordinate housing development and redevelopment projects, including projects financed with Low Income Housing Tax Credits and Tax Increment Financing, projects built on land purchased from the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee and City of Milwaukee, and projects that redevelop City-owned tax-foreclosed property.  Serve as project advocate and liaison to other City departments, elected officials, and stakeholders.  
• Negotiate the terms of City investment in private housing development, and structure the terms of such investment in alignment with City neighborhood development goals and available resources.  
• Develop successful and innovative partnerships with governmental and community agencies and businesses that advance the goals of promoting home ownership, stabilizing neighborhoods, and improving the quality of life for Milwaukee residents, particularly those who are low- and moderate-income.    

ADMINISTRATION 

• Appear before Common Council committees. Serve as a member of and resource to the Common Council’s Joint Committee on Redevelopment of Abandoned and Foreclosed Homes.
• Develop housing policy recommendations, white papers, and similar resources at the request of policymakers. 
• Serve as the assistant executive director of the Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation (NIDC).  
• Attend Community Development Alliance (CDA) meetings. 

• Work variable hours as required by the needs of the department, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Travel to various sites throughout the City of Milwaukee as needed.

1. A Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, real estate, finance, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
2. Five years of progressively responsible experience in residential redevelopment.
3. One year of staff management experience related to the essential functions of this position.
4. Ability to travel independently throughout the City of Milwaukee by public transportation, walking, bicycling, ridesharing, or driving.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.Desirable Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public administration, business administration, real estate, finance, or a related field.
• Knowledge of federal housing programs and the regulations that govern them.

TECHNICAL

• Knowledge of housing and redevelopment in an urban setting.
• Knowledge of housing policy and programming initiatives.
• Knowledge of grant funding and federal funding housing program initiatives to develop outside funding sources.
• Knowledge of program management and development and public administration.
• Ability to read and apply laws, ordinances, codes and regulations, including the State of Wisconsin Tax Increment Financing law.
• Ability to evaluate development proposals and make financial assistance determinations.  
• Ability to understand financial information to perform accurate calculations.
• Computer skills and the ability to learn proprietary software, use spreadsheets, word processing software, e-mail and database applications.

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

• Knowledge of management principles and practices and the ability to effectively supervise staff, assign duties, set performance standards, provide guidance and training, monitor and evaluate performance, coach and counsel employees, take corrective action, and make hiring recommendations.
• Ability to plan and coordinate work of others.
• Knowledge of leadership principles and best practices for selecting, supervising, and motivating employees.

 INTERPERSONAL AND COMMUNICATION

• Interpersonal skills to collaborate with a wide range of people across responsibility levels.
• Customer service skills to provide outstanding client service.
• Ability to effectively communicate to a wide variety of audiences (residents, lenders, elected officials, etc.).
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups of individuals and make presentations in public meetings.
• Written communication skills to create clear and concise business communications such as memo, reports, budget summaries, policies, procedures and performance reviews. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse customers including elected officials, community organizations, business owners, contractors, the public and co-workers.
• Ability to foster an environment of inclusion wherein all employees are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths, and feel that they can safely express themselves.

 CRITICAL THINKING AND PROFESSIONALISM

• Ability to manage and oversee complex tasks.
• Honesty and integrity to meet professional standards for handling confidential information.
• Ability to recommend and implement solutions to complex problems.
• Ability to plan and organize work, prioritize tasks, manage projects, and successfully delegate work to complete tasks based on departmental deadlines and goals.
• Ability to use tact, diplomacy, and excellent judgment when interacting with the public, elected officials, and employees of the City.
• Skill in short- and long-term strategic planning.

The current salary range (Pay Range 1MX) is $123,720-$144,744 annually, and the resident incentive salary for City of Milwaukee residents is $127,431-$149,086. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program which includes:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass  

 For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/benefits.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will include an evaluation of each applicant’s education, experience, and professional accomplishments, which should be detailed in a cover letter and resume.

• Cover letter and resume must be sent via email to Human Resources Administrator, Vanessa Armstrong at vaarmst@milwaukee.gov by 4:45 p.m. on Friday, August 9th.
• Please indicate Redevelopment and Special Projects Director in the subject line of the email.
• Questions relative to the selection process may be directed to HR Administrator Vanessa Armstrong at vaarmst@milwaukee.gov.
• The City of Milwaukee reserves the right to invite only the most qualified applicants to participate in the selection process. 

INITIAL FILING DATE:

• The selection process will be conducted as soon as practical after Friday, August 9th.
• Receipt of application materials may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

EEO 102

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.