Lifelong Communities Program Manager

Job Title: Lifelong Community Program Manager
 Reports to: Planning and Economic Development Director

Department: Community and Economic Development Department

Salary Range: 58,968 – 63,502 USD

Purpose of Work: 

This is a professional position that manages the lifelong community initiatives and programs within the City of Decatur’s Community and Economic Development Department (CED). This position is responsible for the development and implementation of the City’s vision and goals related to creating a community that can support people of all ages, economic status and abilities throughout their lifetimes, and specifically incorporating the needs of older adults in all aspects of community planning and design. This position also promotes community development through management of the annual Season of Giving program and serves as a staff liaison to the Lifelong Community Advisory Board. This position also is a City liaison to the Decatur Land Trust and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Project Board; and assists on local and regional planning efforts.

Opportunities and Challenges:

The new Lifelong Community Program Manager will focus on the following tasks in the first several months:

• Begin to work with the Lifelong Community Advisory Board to implement the nine domains listed in the City’s Age-Friendly Community Action Plan.
• Assist the Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project Board members as a City liaison with communications and marketing, coordination of City permits, and event volunteer support.
• Manage the annual Season of Giving program that benefits Decatur’s low-income families and seniors, and maintaining relationships with the long-time volunteers. 
• Implementation of the City’s Strategic Plan goals related to affordable housing. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serves as primary staff to the Lifelong Community Advisory Board, which includes tasks such as meeting deadlines, preparing monthly agendas, public notices, minutes of the meetings, related board correspondence, and maintaining accurate records.
• Researches, develops, and implements the City’s affordable housing initiatives.
• Reviews and recommends improvements to existing policies that address any impediments to achieving a lifelong community.
• Facilitates community education on available resources and initiatives related to the lifelong community program. 
• Drafts and issues letters, memos, and reports, and delivers professional presentations and recommendations at public meetings, as needed.
• Serves as staff contact for affordable housing and lifelong community initiatives, including attending trainings and community partner meetings, as well as serving on task forces and committees as needed. 
• Serves as the City liaison to Decatur’s Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project Board and develops community partnerships to effectively provide home repairs and yard work for low-income senior citizens through the MLK Service Project.
• Manages the Season of Giving program, including oversight of the application process for low-income senior citizens and families, communications with prospective donors, assigning wish lists to donors, intake of donations, shopping for additional gifts with donated funds, and distribution of gifts to recipients.
• Manages relevant City website pages related to affordable housing and lifelong community activities to ensure that information is up to date and is a valuable tool to the community.
• Performs any other daily duties as may be required to accomplish Department goals and objectives as assigned 

Qualifications:

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. There is a minimum six-months probationary period upon hiring. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. A written or oral test may be administered during the interview process. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of general planning principles and concepts.
• Ability to comprehend and make inferences from rules, regulations, and ordinances and apply them to issue decisions and make recommendations on policy proposals.
• Ability to understand organizational implications of decisions.
• Ability to work with residents from all economic, cultural, and diverse backgrounds.
• Project management skills.
• Ability to organize and lead dynamic volunteer teams around assigned projects.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Aptitude and ability to utilize computer resources required by the City including word processing, web-based platforms, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Independent judgment and discretion in setting priorities, maintaining standards, and resolving problems.

Supervisory:

• Manage and participate in the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for division.
• Continuously review operational procedures and evaluate work performance to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of services and activities. 
• Participate in the development and administration of assigned budgets.
• Recruit, train, develop and supervise volunteers assigned to projects.

Physical Requirements/Environmental Conditions:

• Must be able to sit, walk, and stand for long periods.
• Must be able to sit for long periods at a keyboard or work station.
• Must be able to lift, carry, push, and/or pull objects and materials of heavy weight (50 lbs.).
• Have the ability to walk and stand in an outdoor setting, which may include exposure to weather conditions, such as heat or cold, as well as dust, pollen and allergens. 
• Some tasks require visual and sound perception and discrimination and oral communications ability. 
• Must be able to drive and operate assigned vehicles and equipment in a safe and efficient manner. 

Education and/or Experience: 
 A Bachelor’s degree with major course work in urban and regional planning, public health, social work, gerontology, housing and human environments, or a related field AND three years of experience in the planning and community development field and project management.

Any combination of education and experience to provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Possess a valid Georgia driver’s license (Class C) or the ability to obtain one within 90 days of employment (or a military waiver). 

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position. This position is exempt from overtime pay. The days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; some weekends, evenings, holidays, and emergency call-ins will be required as job duties demand.

Compensation and Benefits:

The City of Decatur offers a competitive salary range of $58,968 - $63,502; commensurate with qualifications and experience. The City offers a defined benefit (Pension) plan and two supplemental retirement savings plans. Employees are vested after 10-years of service. A full range of insurance, leave, continuing education, and other benefits are also provided.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

The City of Decatur is committed to having a workforce that reflects diversity at all levels and is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.