About the Department
Lead and shape the City of Gastonia’s efforts to strengthen neighborhoods, expand housing opportunities, and enhance community quality of life. This role provides strategic direction and oversight for key initiatives including Community Development programs, housing and neighborhood services, Keep Gastonia Beautiful, and Sister Cities—ensuring impactful, compliant, and community-centered outcomes. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Assistant City Manager. Supervision is exercised over assigned staff.
Position Duties
The following job functions are typical for a position of this nature. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each function satisfactorily. Other job functions and duties may be required as assigned. Percentages for each function are subject to fluctuations.
| Coordination of work for Community Development, HOME Funds, and other related State and Federal Programs; Assures compliance with all applicable State and Federal guidelines, policies, and procedures; | 35% |
| Reviews all applicable invoices, claims, service agreements, etc. for proper payments; Creates and manages budgets for assigned areas; Reviews records and reports prepared by staff for accuracy, completeness and compliance with Local, State, and Federal policies and guidelines; Assigns, coordinates, supervises and participates in the work of employees providing housing, relocation, and other assistance to families and individuals; | 35% |
| Provides relocation assistance and information to displaced business enterprises; Supervises and participates in the collection, and compilation, of information required for preparation of relocation plans and reports; Provides public information regarding housing assistance and relocation processes; | 10% |
| Responsible for oversight and success of the Sister Cities Program, Keep Gastonia Beautiful, and the Neighborhood Program along with the Citizens Academy provided by the City; Performs related tasks and job responsibilities as required. | 20% |
Minimum Qualifications
- Strong knowledge of federal acquisition requirements and residential and business relocation policies
- Thorough understanding of the City’s Community Development programs and related state and federal funding programs
- Working knowledge of HUD-assisted housing programs and real estate practices and procedures
- General understanding of applicable laws, regulations, policies, and program guidelines governing community development initiatives
- Ability to analyze data, evaluate information, and prepare clear, concise reports
- Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with City leadership, staff, community partners, and the public
- Strong organizational and leadership skills, including the ability to plan, coordinate, and supervise the work of others
Other Qualifications
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in planning, sociology, economics, public administration or related field and considerable supervisory experience in Community Development administration or equivalent combination of education and experience.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
NIMS IS-700, IS-100, and IS-200 within one year of hire.
CHECKLIST FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS, VISUAL ACUITY, AND WORKING CONDITIONS:
The physical activity of this position includes:
Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal spoken word levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.
Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
The physical requirements of this position:
Office Environment Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Office environment work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are categorized as office environment if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other Office Environment Work criteria are met.
The visual acuity requirements including color, depth perception and field of vision:
The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform one or more of the following:
Preparing and analyzing data and figures; accounting; computer terminal; and extensive reading.
The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position:
The worker is subject to inside environmental conditions; Protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.
Must possess a valid appropriate driver’s license with acceptable driving history. Drug screening, criminal background, and a POET (post offer employment testing) are required.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS MAY BE MADE TO ENABLE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS.
The City of Gastonia is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We value diversity and promise to honor your experiences, perspective and unique identity.
The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/H