Community Development Director

Community Development Director

City of Blair, NE

Job Summary

The Community Development Director provides executive leadership and oversight for the City's planning, zoning, permitting, code enforcement, redevelopment, and community growth activities. The Director serves as a strategic advisor to City leadership regarding land use, redevelopment, housing, annexation, infrastructure coordination, and long-range planning. The position works collaboratively with developers, businesses, property owners, regional agencies, and community stakeholders to support responsible growth and customer-focused development services.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Serves as a member of the City's executive leadership team and participates in strategic planning, policy development, and organizational initiatives.
• Directs and oversees community development operations, including planning, zoning, permitting, code enforcement, redevelopment, and related functions.
• Supervises assigned staff, including the Building Clerk, Building Inspector, and Facilities Director; responsible for hiring, training, performance management, and staff development.
• Develops and administers departmental goals, budgets, operational priorities, capital planning activities, and strategic initiatives aligned with City objectives.
• Leads implementation and updates to the City's Comprehensive Plan, zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, land use policies, redevelopment strategies, and growth management initiatives.
• Oversees review and evaluation of land use applications, redevelopment proposals, development plans, and capital projects for compliance with City ordinances, adopted plans, and community objectives.
• Coordinates long-range planning efforts related to housing, infrastructure, redevelopment, annexation, neighborhood revitalization, and economic development.
• Manages redevelopment initiatives, including tax increment financing (TIF), redevelopment agreements, corridor revitalization, public/private partnerships, and community investment projects.
• Collaborates with developers, businesses, consultants, contractors, regional agencies, and community stakeholders to support quality growth and redevelopment opportunities.
• Facilitates public meetings, stakeholder engagement activities, and presentations before the Planning Commission, City Council, boards, commissions, and community organizations.
• Prepares reports, ordinances, agreements, agenda materials, public notices, recommendations, and related documentation for City leadership and governing bodies.
• Coordinates and ensures compliance with required public notice procedures and meeting processes associated with planning and land use matters.
• Promotes efficient, transparent, and customer-focused permitting, development review, and community development services.
• Evaluates and improves departmental procedures, operational workflows, permitting processes, and customer service practices.
• Coordinates development activities and infrastructure planning with engineering, utilities, public works, fire, finance, legal, and other City departments.
• Oversees preparation and administration of grants related to housing, infrastructure, redevelopment, and community development activities.
• Responds to citizen inquiries, stakeholder concerns, and complex development or land use issues using sound judgment, diplomacy, and consensus-building skills.
• Represents the City in coordination with neighboring jurisdictions, economic development organizations, governmental agencies, and regional partners.
• Attends City Council meetings, Planning Commission meetings, development meetings, workshops, conferences, and community events as required.
• Performs other duties as needed.

Education and Experience

• High School or GED required.
• Bachelor's degree in Community Planning, Property Management, Business Management, Urban and Regional Planning, Public Administration, or related field required.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in community development, urban planning, redevelopment, code enforcement, development services, or municipal administration.
• Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or management experience.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the job duties and responsibilities successfully.

Certifications and Licenses

• Valid driver's license required.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification preferred.
• Participation in professional organizations, conferences, and continuing education activities encouraged.

Work Environment and Travel

• Work is performed in both a casual, open office environment and outside. Exposure to heat, cold, wetness, dirt, dust, fumes, contaminants, or other elements may be required. The use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) may be required.
• Occasional evening and weekend meetings, public events, development meetings, and emergency response coordination may be required.
• Less than 5% of travel is required.