NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES MANAGER

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under administrative direction, directs, manages, supervises and coordinates the activities and operations of the Neighborhood Services Division within the Community Services Department; engages residents who are directly impacted by projects; ensures program compliance with pertinent federal, state, local, and City-driven priorities, mandates, objectives, laws, guidelines, and regulations; coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments, neighborhood groups, and outside agencies; and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Director of Community Services.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Assumes management responsibility for assigned services and activities of the Neighborhood Services Division, responsible for developing opportunities to strengthen and invigorate the neighborhoods of the City; develops and implements Neighborhood Services programs and oversees expenditures of Neighborhood Services funds; supervises and administers the federal CDBG program funds.
• Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for assigned programs; recommends and administers policies and procedures; assumes responsibility for Neighborhood Services policies and plans mandated by local, state, and federal law including the Consolidated Plan and the City Council Work Plan.
• Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.
• Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for assigned staff; assigns work activities, projects, and programs; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Supervises the monitoring of CDBG programs, grants to public service agencies, and project requirements; prepares, reviews, and analyzes complicated contracts, legal documents, financial information, and proposals relating to construction and public service programs as approved by the City Council.
• Monitors requirements of ongoing programs and obligations of funds received to ensure conformity; ensures necessary reports are completed and filed when due.
• Selects, trains, motivates and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the Neighborhood Services Division annual budget; participates in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures; implements adjustments, monitors and forecasts program expenditures to meet required HUD spending deadlines.
• Serves as the liaison for the Neighborhood Services Division to other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; represents the Neighborhood Services Division and the City neighborhood meetings, various State and National level neighborhood organizations; provides information regarding the City’s Neighborhood Services issues to local and state entities upon request; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
• Provides responsible staff assistance to the Director of Community Services; conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommends modifications to Neighborhood Services programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Recommends new Neighborhood Services programs including construction and other community wide neighborhood based programs; coordinates outside agencies to assess needs of the community and recommend Neighborhood Services programs that can assist in meeting those needs; develops recommendations and gains approval for new programs.
• Prepares and delivers clear, concise, and informative public presentations to the City Council, various commissions, outside agencies, neighborhood groups, and state and national boars and committees as necessary; prepares and delivers training sessions to neighborhood groups, and other groups regarding Neighborhood Services programs and regulations.
• Negotiates with property owners and residents for Neighborhood construction projects, schedules meetings and inspects projects; prepares contracts and regulatory agreements; coordinates project progress and needs with other City departments.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of changes and updates to regulations and laws as well as new trends and innovations in the field of Neighborhood Services; reviews, analyzes and distributes information regarding regulations that affect programs administered through the Neighborhood Services Division.
• Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a Neighborhood Services program.
• Construction plan development, techniques, materials, and methods.
• Federal, state, county and local Neighborhood Services assistance programs.
• Techniques used in organizing and assessing needs of a neighborhood group.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Finance and accounting principles and practices.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, code, and regulations.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases

Ability to:

• Oversee and participate in the management of a comprehensive Neighborhood Services program.
• Oversee, direct, and coordinate the work of lower level staff.
• Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff.
• Participate in the development and administration of division goals, objectives and procedures.
• Research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Prepare comprehensive Neighborhood Services assistance programs utilizing a variety of revenue sources.
• Prepare and administer large program budgets.
• Analyze project financial data.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws and regulations, as well as relevant legislations.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Work effectively with neighborhood groups involved with Neighborhood Services.
• Analyze, assess, and address community needs related to Neighborhood Services and recommend plans for modifying or extending services, programs, and activities to meet neighborhood needs and requirements.
• Effectively present information and respond to questions from board, committee, and commission members, outside groups and organizations and the general public.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including non-profit corporations, neighborhood groups, advisory groups, developers/builders, contractors, architects and financial institutions as well as other City departments and staff.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in construction management, business administration, public administration, or a related field. Four years of related neighborhood and construction related management experience may be substituted for the required education.

Experience: Four years of increasingly responsible experience in a Neighborhood Services related program including two years of administrative and supervisory responsibility.

License or Certificate - Possession of an appropriate, valid California driver’s license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Standard office setting. A mixture of working indoors and outdoors, including some night and weekend meetings and events, dusts from paperwork. Work schedule is 9/80 with alternating Fridays off in a biweekly period. Work environment is both formal and informal, team- oriented, having variable tasks, pace, and pressure.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an office and field setting and operate assigned vehicle and office equipment. CONTINUOUS sitting and upward and downward flexion of neck; fine finger dexterity; light to moderate finger pressure to manipulate keyboard, equipment controls, and office equipment; pinch grasp to manipulate writing utensils. FREQUENT side­to-side turning of neck, walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting at waist; moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials; lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 20 pounds. OCCASIONAL squatting, kneeling, and reaching above and at shoulder height; moderate grasp to manipulate reference books and manuals; lifting and carrying objects weighing 20-3 5 pounds.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents and to operate equipment.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Date: June 2009
JP/JV/Department