Director of Community, Neighborhood & Housing Services

Director of Community, Neighborhood & Housing Services

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

City Hall, 31 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD

Job Type

Full-Time

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

FY2027-01131

Department

Community, Neighborhood & Housing Services

Division

Housing & Community Development (1142)

Opening Date

09/29/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

FLSA

Exempt

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

The City of Gaithersburg is seeking a community oriented, customer-focused, collaborative professional to oversee and lead the Department of Community, Neighborhood, and Housing Services (CN&HS) which includes four divisions: Housing & Community Development, Neighborhood Services, Community Services, and Homeless Services. The Director is responsible for strategic leadership, program administration, staff supervision, regulatory compliance, and advancing the Citys priorities related to affordable housing preservation, neighborhood stabilization, and support services for vulnerable residents. Work involves a high level of independence, complex decision-making, and collaboration with internal and external partners and requires hands-on departmental leadership within a municipal government setting.

The Director reports directly to the City Manager or their designee; and as a member of the Citys senior leadership team, collaborates with the City Manager and other department directors on strategy and policy to ensure that the Citys mission, vision, core values, and long-range goals are incorporated into operational activities and services.

The Department has an FY 2027 total budget of approximately $5.15 million and employs 27.6 FTEs (24 full-time). The position can accommodate both in-person and remote work at the discretion of the City Manager. Preparation for and attendance at meetings, events, and other work outside of regular business hours is required. Residency within the City of Gaithersburg is not required.

For more details about the role and the Gaithersburg community, please review the Position Profile [PDF].

Job Functions

The Position:

• The Director provides strategic direction and oversight for the department, ensuring high-quality service delivery across the four divisions.
• Directly manages division managers and is responsible for leadership development, performance management, and operational accountability.
• Maintains oversight of the City's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program as an entitlement city, including full program planning, implementation, regulatory compliance, reporting, and coordination with HUD.
• Oversees code compliance and Neighborhood Services operations, including property maintenance inspections, enforcement actions, and initiatives aimed at stabilizing "naturally occurring affordable housing" (NOAH).
• Works collaboratively with staff to develop strategies and partnerships that expand affordable housing opportunities, support reinvestment in aging multifamily properties, address deferred maintenance challenges, and protect low- and moderate-income residents.
• Ensures alignment of departmental programs with City goals and Council priorities.
• Prepares and administers budgets, contracts, and grants.
• Represents the department in meetings with community stakeholders, regional partners, County agencies, and other governmental entities.

Priorities:

• Evaluate critical operations of Community, Neighborhood, and Housing Services Department.
• Establish familiarity with recently updated Chapter 13 of the City of Gaithersburg's Municipal Code (Landlord-Tenant Relations) and related ordinances.
• Oversee establishment and launch of a new, city-managed alternative to the Montgomery County Commission on Common Ownership Communities.
• Ensure compliance for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award with HUD timeliness, reporting, and other program requirements.
• Assess property conditions at Wells/Robertson House and DeSellum House.
• Shepherd amendments and updates to the City's Affordable Housing regulations through the legislative approval processes.
• Work closely with Community Services staff on evaluating recently implemented processes for Community Service, Youth Enrichment, and Parent Resource Center grants.
• Advocate for greater resources from Montgomery County for homeless support services and rental assistance funding.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with the City Manager, Department and other City staff, the Mayor and City Council, and other related boards, committees, and commissions.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, urban planning, housing and community development, or related field; master's degree (MPA, MPP, MSW, or related) preferred.
• Significant and progressively responsible experience within a local or county government including supervisory experience at the division or department director level.
• Full program oversight experience of a CDBG entitlement city program (including management of CDBG-funded activities) required.
• Experience overseeing multiple functional areas such as housing, neighborhood services, code enforcement, community services, and/or homeless services.
• Experience developing and implementing strategies to stabilize older multifamily housing through code enforcement, reinvestment, or related programs.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience leading interdisciplinary teams in a hands-on municipal government environment.
• Experience with multifamily housing preservation, NOAH stabilization strategies, or property maintenance prevention programs.
• Experience working in organizations with smaller or mid-sized teams where leaders directly support operations.

Certifications or Licenses:

• Possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the State of Maryland (preferred).
• Certifications such as HCD-related credentials, code enforcement certification, or HUD program management training are desirable.

The Successful Candidate:

The ideal candidate for this position is an accomplished and innovative leader who has experience as a division or department manager overseeing multiple relevant functional areas in a local or county government setting. Experience managing all aspects of an entire CDBG program within an entitlement city (including management of CDBG-funded activities) is required; and experience developing and implementing strategies for stabilizing and enhancing older, multifamily properties is highly desired. The individual must be detail-oriented, an exceptional communicator and listener, and a strategic thinker who can translate strategies into actionable objectives, while also possessing the practical expertise to ensure accountability, high-quality service delivery, and operational effectiveness.

With a solid understanding of local government administration and operations, the ideal candidate will bring both a visionary mindset and a hands-on management style. They are committed to cultivating a positive departmental culture, developing their team through mentorship and coaching, and managing performance in a constructive, accountability-oriented manner. They will have a strong ability to foster interdepartmental collaboration while also cultivating and strengthening relationships with community members, nonprofit, government, and other regional partners.

Additional Information

Compensation

The anticipated hiring range is $170,00 to $190,000, depending on qualifications, with an excellent benefits package.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must complete and submit a brief online application and are required to attach the following supporting documents to the online application upon submission:

• Current Resume

• Letter of Interest

• List of References (at least 4 to include a manager [current/former], a subordinate, and a colleague). Please note: References will not be contacted without permission from the applicant.

Other supporting documents may be attached but are not required.

First review of applications will begin by October 26, 2026. The position will remain open until filled; recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of qualified applications are identified or all hiring decisions have been made.

For more information about the position, contact Assistant City Manager Tom Lonergan-Seeger at 240.805.1093 or Tom.Lonergan-Seeger@gaithersburgmd.gov. Questions regarding the online application process may be directed to the Department of Human Resources at 301.258.6327 or hr@gaithersburgmd.gov. For demographic and other information about the City of Gaithersburg, please click here.

Department Directors are in the unclassified service and not included within the City's merit system. The successful candidate will be subject to a background investigation. Direct deposit of paychecks is a condition of employment for all City of Gaithersburg employees.

The City has established an alcohol-free, drug-free, and smoke-free workplace which applies to any person employed by, conducting business with, or applying for a position with the City. Each employee, as a condition of their employment, may be required to participate in pre-employment and reasonable suspicion testing. Employees classified as safety sensitive are also subject to immediate post-accident and random testing.

The City of Gaithersburg offers its full-time employees a broad range of benefits to enhance their personal and professional lives. Employees are eligible on their first day of employment (unless otherwise specified). We provide employees with competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and an environment that supports a healthy work/life balance.

HEALTH BENEFITS

• Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage - employer pays 85% of premium in each tier
• Multi-tiered coverage options (single, single + spouse, single + child, single + children, family)
• Retirement Health Savings contribution (for non-participants in medical or dental plans)

Medical Insurance

• CIGNA HealthCare Open Access Plan
• Prescription Drug Plan
• Wellness Initiatives

Dental Insurance

• Sun Life Indemnity Plan
• Use a dentist of choice or participating dentist for increased savings
• Basic or Enhanced Plans offered

Vision Insurance

• National Vision Administrators
• Use a provider of choice or participating provider for increased savings

RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS

• Eligible for immediate enrollment in all plans upon hire
• 401A - Employer contribution equivalent to 8% of employees annual base salary; fully vested after 5 years
• 401K - Employer 3% matching contribution on the first 5% of employees annual base salary contributed by the employee; fully vested after 5 years
• 401A Supplemental - Additional 5% employer contribution to eligible employees in the Public Works and Police Departments who have physically demanding jobs on a consistent basis; fully vested after 10 years
• 457-deferred compensation plan and Roth IRA (employee contributions only)

PAID LEAVE

• Vacation (12 - 24 days accrued annually; accrual rate based on years of service)
• Sick Leave (13 days accrued annually; unlimited accrual)
• Personal Leave (28 hours granted annually)
• Family Care Leave (up to 8 weeks in rolling 12-month period for eligible employees) to care for newborn/newly adopted/newly placed child or family member
• Holidays (11 holidays observed each year)
• Volunteer Service (12 hours granted annually)
• Jury duty, bereavement leave, military leave (as needed)

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tools to assist with paying down student loan debt and managing student loans
• Employer paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• Long-Term Disability & Workers Compensation Insurance
• Multilingual Stipend ($2,080 per year for eligible employees, paid biweekly)
• Language Learning Program (through Babbel)
• Housing Stipend (Up to $3,600 per year for eligible employees)
• Tuition Assistance (Up to $5,250 per year eligible after 1 year of service)
• Healthy Lifestyle Incentives
• Employee Assistance Program
• First-Time Homebuyer Assistance
• Ongoing Training/Personal Development Programs
• Credit Union
• Recreation & Leisure Opportunities & Discounts
• Direct Deposit (required)

Click on the link below to view general information about the benefits available.

Summary of Employee Benefits (pdf)

01

Do you have a Bachelors Degree (or higher) in public administration, urban planning, housing and community development, or related field?

• Yes
• No

02

How many years of relevant progressively responsible professional experience involving responsibility for planning, organization, and implementation of major functions and programs do you have? (If none, enter 0.)

03

Do you have full program oversight experience of a CDBG entitlement city program (including management of CDBG-funded activities)?

• Yes
• No

04

How many years of local and/or municipal government experience do you have? (If none, enter 0.)

05

Have you ever served as the Director of a Department overseeing any of the functions/services/operations listed in the job posting?

• Yes
• No

06

If yes, please indicate the Department and how many years you served as a Department Director.

07

Do you have experience working directly with elected officials?

• Yes
• No

08

Briefly describe your experience working collaboratively with resident groups and other community-based organizations and leading robust community engagement strategies.

09

Please list the functions and/or services you have overseen relevant to the departmental operations described in the job posting (community/social services, neighborhood services/code administration, homeless services, housing and community development). (If none, enter 0.)

10

How many years have you directly supervised staff? (If none, enter 0.)

11

Please list any relevant certifications, licenses, or professional development experiences you have. (If none, enter 0.)

12

How did you first learn about this employment opportunity?

• City of Gaithersburg Website
• Job Interest Card Notification
• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• GovernmentJobs.com
• Maryland Municipal League Website
• Engaging Local Government Leaders Website
• Other Website
• Social Media
• Friend or Relative
• I am currently a City employee
• Other

Required Question

Employer City of Gaithersburg

Address 31 South Summit Avenue

Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20877

Phone 301-258-6327

Website http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/government/job-opportunities