Description

This position leads the Community Programs Division within the Community Services Department. The Division plans, develops, and delivers programs and services that address community and neighborhood issues and responds to citizen concerns by creating, strengthening and leveraging strategic partnerships. The role requires advanced skills in planning, organizing, and executing programs and services, and oversees a wide range of activities, including community events as well as neighborhood and housing improvement initiatives using both local and federal funding. The position manages the Division to promote community engagement, implement community programs, and serve as a liaison between the City, nonprofit agencies, private companies, funders, and community leaders.

Essential Functions

Expands and strengthens community engagement and partnerships with residents, community groups, nonprofits, businesses, philanthropic organizations, educational institutions, and other government entities to advance the City’s priorities and goals.
Advises and supports Department and City leadership on existing and potential partnerships to enhance engagement, collaboration, and policy development, implementation and improvement.
Directs, manages, and advises on community engagement and strategic partnership activities, provide regular briefings to leadership, division managers, and staff on opportunities and emerging issues.
Identifies intersections between City and community interests, fostering effective cross-departmental collaboration to address strategic priorities.
Serves as ambassador, champion, and thought partner for community engagement and strategic partnerships, both internally and externally.
Oversees the Department’s public communications strategy, including website improvements, development of public information campaigns in collaboration with the Communications Department, and implementation of social media strategies to enhance communication with residents and partners.
Leads the Department’s Corporate Stewardship Program to develop and cultivate long-term private-sector partnerships.
Designs, implements, and continuously improves programs, services, and engagement systems, especially those that provide direct housing assistance and address identified community needs using CDBG and other federal funds.
Ensures compliance with all applicable federal regulations for programs and services receiving federal funding.
Researches, pursues, and implements grant funding opportunities to support Division and Department initiatives.
Identifies and implements strategies to improve civic participation by residents, businesses, and community groups.
Builds and maintains positive working relationships with residents, community organizations, government agencies, private sector representatives, associations, City staff, and the public through proactive, visible engagement.
Facilitates creative and meaningful public engagement opportunities, ensuring early and inclusive involvement in addressing community needs.
Identifies and removes barriers to participation with sensitivity to culturally and economically diverse communities.
Convenes stakeholders across sectors, residents, businesses, nonprofits, foundations, and government agencies to share information, align on common goals, and explore opportunities for collaboration.
Recruits, coordinates, and cultivates relationships with community volunteers for high-priority projects.
Participates in the development and implementation of Department and organization-wide strategic planning initiatives, including the City’s Balanced Scorecard.
Maintains accurate records and prepares oral and written reports and presentations on program activities.
Plans, coordinates, and executes engagement activities and departmental special events, including neighborhood-building events.
Assembles and lead cross-functional and cross-departmental teams for special projects.
Hires, recruits, supervises, mentors, and evaluates assigned staff.
Operates city vehicles.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications/Special Requirements/Success Factors

Bachelor's degree in Public or Business Administration, Urban Affairs, Political Science, Management, Economics or a related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience with citizen outreach and community assistance programs, including programs operated using federal funding, as well as three years of supervisory experience. Requires demonstrated experience interacting with the community and integrating community input.

Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. One year of relevant experience may be substituted for each year of required education.

Knowledge of:

Neighborhood associations and organizations that provide community and neighborhood services
Principles, practices, current issues, and trends in community outreach, citizen engagement, and neighborhood development
Principles and practices of community and program planning
National neighborhood assistance programs and public outreach trends, methods and practices, including public outreach methods and engagement strategies
Principles and practices of public administration, grant development and management, and the structure and functions of local government
Principles and practices for organizing, motivating and working with volunteers
Principles and practices of project, program, and contract management

Skill in:

Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, PowerPoint, and other related software
Customer service and problem resolution practices
Comprehension and application of complex and overlapping federal regulations in community service programs
Volunteer and citizen engagement and relationship building
Contract development, negotiation, and management
Program design, implementation, and evaluation in a leadership capacity
Development and continuous improvement of policies and procedures to ensure fair, consistent, and compliant program and service delivery

Ability to:

Understand and apply applicable regulations
Assess neighborhood conditions and determine needed improvements
Demonstrate sensitivity to political/policy issues raised by elected officials, neighborhoods and volunteers and clearly articulate these issues to the appropriate stakeholders
Work cooperatively with community leaders, city officials, media representatives and the general public
Present information clearly, persuasively, and appropriately to audiences with diverse backgrounds
Act calmly, rationally, decisively, and tactfully in difficult or sensitive situations
Develop and establish positive working relationships with business leaders, community groups, elected officials, governmental agencies, volunteers, employees at all organizational levels and the general public
Identify and respond to City Council and citizen issues and concerns
Conduct research, analyze findings, and prepare clear and concise reports and recommendations
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals from varying cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds
Manage multiple projects and programs simultaneously, meeting deadlines and quality standards
Effectively present programs through various formats, including print, video, electronic media and in-person presentations
Operate city vehicles

Special Requirements

Valid AZ Driver’s License.
Working and/or attending meetings on evenings and weekends is required.
This position is classified as safety-sensitive which requires candidates to successfully undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to employment. They will be subject to further drug and alcohol testing throughout their period of employment in accordance with the City of Glendale Substance Abuse policy. A post-offer physical assessment is required. The City of Glendale will incur the cost of all required testing.

Success Factor Classification Level - Managerial
To view the success factor definitions please click here. (Download PDF reader)(If needed, click here to download PDF reader).

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

Office and classroom setting. Depending on the area emphasis, may perform extensive fieldwork. Enters, exits, and operates city vehicles.

Benefit information is outlined here: https://www.glendaleaz.gov/Your-Government/Connect/Departments/Human-Resources-Risk-Management/Benefits