Chief Neighborhood Development Specialist

Chief Neighborhood Development Specialist

Salary

$59,101.00 - $76,831.00 Annually

Location

Community Development, VA

Job Type

Full-Time Permanent

Job Number

09640

Department

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Opening Date

10/27/2026

Closing Date

11/26/2026 12:00 AM Eastern

FLSA

Exempt

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Function

Are you passionate about building strong, thriving neighborhoods and enhancing community life? The City of Hampton is seeking a strategic, community-driven leader to serve as Chief Neighborhood Specialist in the Housing & Neighborhood Services Division of the Community Development Department.

As the most senior specialist in the division, you will play a vital role in shaping neighborhood initiatives that empower residents, support local organizations, and foster vibrant, resilient communities. This position works closely with leadership and community stakeholders to manage policies, programs, and resources that support the Hampton Neighborhood Initiative and broader community development efforts.

We're looking for candidates with a strong understanding of housing policy, community development, and development processes.

Applicants should have experience with federal housing programs, including HUD entitlement grants (CDBG and HOME), and a strong accounting background to support grant administration, compliance, and reporting. Familiarity with housing policies and regulations, including the ability to interpret and apply them, is also important. This public-facing position requires strong communication and customer service skills, along with the ability to work collaboratively with residents, developers, boards, commissions, community partners, and other stakeholders. Candidates must also be available to attend evening and weekend meetings or events."

Apply today and be part of building stronger communities in Hampton!

Minimum Requirements

• Requires graduation from a college or university with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Government, Public Administration, Planning, Community Development, or a related field. Masters degree or equivalent work experience preferred.
• Requires a minimum of five (5) years of experience working in the fields of community development, neighborhood revitalization, neighborhood capacity building and public private partnership development preferably in the public sector. In addition, this position requires a minimum of two (2) years of experience with grant and/or budget administration; preferably in a municipal government environment.
• Must possess broad working knowledge of the financial principles underlying State and City laws and regulations pertaining to municipal government.
• Three (3) years of experience specifically administering Community Development Block Grant and HOME funds preferred.
• Experience in marketing and outreach; housing development and finance; public policy/administration; youth development/schools; planning; organizational development and capacity building; and partnerships and innovative programs also desired.
• Requires exceptional customer service and organizational skills.
• May require a functional knowledge of tools, materials, technology and processes that are specific to the Housing & Neighborhood Services Division and/or the Community Development Department.
• A combination of education, professional certifications, and equivalent experience may be considered for this position.
• Must successfully pass a background check prior to any offer of employment or promotion.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and must have and maintain a satisfactory driving record based on the City of Hampton's criteria.

Additional Requirements

• Requires effective communication with internal and external customers.
• May require working beyond a standard 40-hour work week to include evenings and weekends.
• Requires considerable local travel. Some regional or state travel required.
• A rotation of remote work is permitted, dependent on performance
• The incumbent may be considered "essential personnel" during City emergencies or at the direction of the City Manager which may include long hours and unusual schedules.

Click here for a complete job description.

Benefits are not applicable for this position.

01

Which of the following best describes your highest level of completed education in Business Administration, Government, Public Administration, Planning, Community Development, or a related field

• High school graduate or GED completed
• Some College
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or higher

02

Which of the following best describes your years of experience working in the fields of community development, neighborhood revitalization, neighborhood capacity building and public private partnership development?

• Less than 1 year
• 1 - 2 years
• 3 - 4 years
• 5 - 6 years
• 7 + years

03

Which of the following best describes your years of experience with grant and/or budget administration?

• 6 months - 1 year
• 2 - 3 years
• 4 - 5 years
• 6+ years

04

Which of the following best describes your knowledge of the financial principles underlying State and City laws and regulations pertaining to municipal government?

• No knowledge
• Basic knowledge
• Considerable knowledge
• Extensive knowledge

05

I understand that if selected for this position, I must successfully pass a criminal background check prior to any offer of employment or promotion.

• Yes
• No

06

This position requires that you possess a valid drivers license and have and maintain a satisfactory driving record based on the City of Hamptons criteria. Failure to provide your drivers license number will prevent us from considering your application. Please confirm your drivers license number by entering it below:

07

I understand that this is an exempt position that may require working non standard hours including evenings and weekends.

• Yes
• No

08

I understand that this position may be considered "essential personnel" during certain types of emergencies and/or community disasters in support of the community response and recovery efforts.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Hampton

Address 22 Lincoln Street

Hampton, Virginia, 23669

Phone (757) 727-6407

Website http://www.hampton.gov/hr