Community Development Director - City of Milton, GA

Milton, GA, United States

Salary: See Position Description

Location : Milton, GA

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 2024-38

Employer: City of Milton, GA

Opening Date: 06/10/2024

Closing Date: 7/10/2024 11:59 PM Eastern

About Us

Inviting Your Application for Community Development Director

View the Recruitment Brochure HERE

Are you often praised for your leadership, confidence, and self-management skills?

Do you have a customer-service mindset with knowledge and experience in planning and design?

Are you a seasoned collaborator with a dynamic personality who can work effectively with everyone - elected officials, community members, internal departments, developers, and contractors?

Are you an assertive and respectful communicator who effectively advocates and conveys needs, vision, and priorities to city leadership and the Council?

Are you a teambuilder who effectively leads and inspires talented staff in a hands-on work environment?

Are you a community development professional with municipal experience who is energized by joining a unique municipality that: Believes that public service is a calling;

Celebrates diversity and the unique attributes that make up a team;

Supports and encourages staff development at every level;

Makes decisions for the long-term, and,

Understands that we exist to serve our community and each other.

If yes, then the highly sought-after , in metro Atlanta, invites you to apply to serve as its Community Development Director (Director) and oversee the city's Code Enforcement, Planning, Zoning, Building Inspections, Permitting, Economic Development, and Land Development divisions.

Milton's Community Development Director plans, organizes, directs, and manages the day-to-day operations of the Community Development department. A highly respected professional known for their integrity, this Director will passionately ensure the fulfillment of the Community Development department's mission -

to provide citizens with high-quality developments and the preservation of natural resources while protecting Milton's special rural character in accordance with the city's 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

This position is for the professional who understands that success is not building a more significant tax base. The City of Milton has very little debt and is in a solid financial position to fund projects. Most land in the area is zoned AG-1, and approximately 13% of its tax base is commercial. The Director will work closely with developers and builders to capture the essence of Milton, utilizing its recently adopted , focusing on preservation of the community's trees and its love of horses, maintaining the quiet, peaceful culture of the rural areas, and protecting the unique Milton aesthetic of estate homes, large lots and equestrian farms.

About the Community:

Formed in 2006 from parts of unincorporated Fulton County, the City of Milton is named after Revolutionary War Hero John Milton and is one of metro Atlanta's most sought-after communities for its high quality of life, charming character, safe and welcoming environment, remarkable schools, thriving restaurants, unique shops and more. With a population of nearly 42,000 people, Milton is a distinct, vibrant city with a rural landscape and beautiful natural spaces. Yet, it is less than 30 miles from the big city amenities of Atlanta.

Milton borders Cherokee County to the north and west, Forsyth County to the east, Roswell to the southwest, and Alpharetta to the south. Milton's 39 square miles, of which 85% are agriculturally zoned with lot sizes at least one acre, are home to an affluent community. The average house in Milton is 5,000 - 7,000 square feet, and the median household income of its residents is $160,000.

The city has among Georgia's highest educational attainment rates and lowest unemployment rates. In 2011, just five years after the City's incorporation, as having the highest quality of life in Georgia and the ninth-highest quality of life in the southern United States. Milton continues to be consistently recognized nationally as one of the best (and safest) places to call home.

Milton's highly rated schools, beautiful greenspaces, unique infrastructure, and lively community events, including the annual Crabapple Festival, create a lovely living environment. The Crabapple Festival, an arts and antique festival, is held the first Saturday in October and transforms Crabapple Road in downtown Milton into a bustling market featuring more than 100 local antique and art vendors.

Milton has long boasted a strong and proud equestrian community - a reflection of its deep rural heritage and an ongoing desire to engage with those who love the equestrian lifestyle and everything it involves. Some members of this community own horses; others ride them, and many more enjoy living surrounded by horse farms, pastures, and people who understand and value the benefits of Milton's unique equestrian lifestyle. , a formal city committee of Mayor and council-appointed community members, is committed to advocating and ensuring that the city embraces Milton's rich equestrian heritage.

Duties/Responsibilities

About the Organization:

The City of Milton, GA, operates under the Council-Manager form of government and is governed by a mayor and a six-person Council. The Council's unified vision, as outlined in the city's , supports the community's sustainability and resiliency, its continued focus on smart land planning, and its efforts to acquire, manage, and develop public land and resources to support Milton's high quality of life.

Milton residents take great pride in the city's rural heritage and natural beauty, and city leadership is dedicated to preserving and protecting this. In 2016, over 80% of voters approved $25 million in bonds to acquire land for parks, trails, and greenspace, including conservation land, wildlife habitat, and natural areas, including greenspace areas set aside for passive use, with no development. In fiscal year 2019, the city kicked this initiative into high gear by acquiring more than 248 acres. The city continues to seek other opportunities to utilize the remainder of its greenspace bond funding.

The city's totals $42.8M for all funds and is supported by a tax rate of $.439 per $100 of assessed tax value. The city, which developed its code of ordinances, is focused on providing high quality services. Milton employs 179 FT and 17 PT employees across 11 departments. Their high-functioning employees wear many hats, work efficiently in a collaborative team environment, and hold one another accountable to the city's values - teamwork, rural heritage, service, ownership, and leadership.

About the Department and Position :

The City of Milton's Community Development department evaluates issues related to development within Milton to enhance the quality of life for Milton residents, preserve and enhance Milton's character, provide superior customer service by streamlining the development review process, and create a safe and healthy environment by enforcing development regulations.

Reporting to the City Manager, the Director will manage the department's operating budget of $2.6M and oversee its 19 staff. This position is for the professional with experience working with highly engaged council members who are heavily involved in decision-making, especially regarding codes and ordinances.

Milton's next Community Development Director will intentionally build and establish trusting relationships with community members, city leaders and staff, and other stakeholders. The Director will enhance the department's transparent communication and education efforts within the community regarding regulatory standards, codes, ordinances, projects, etc., to create commonalities amidst differences and ensure that community members are heard, valued, and respected.

Key Position Priorities: Oversee current and future capital projects, including but not limited to the Mayfield district and Arnold Mill Projects, while identifying creative ways and solutions to effectively balance the needs/desires for commercial development with the desires of the City Council, residents, and developers, all while ensuring compliance with the city's codes and preserving its character and heritage.

Cultivate a dynamic group of committed employees by enhancing training, development, and succession opportunities and demonstrating a commitment to honor the employee's impeccable work ethic, ensure a family-like work culture, and nurture individual skills, talents, and expertise.

Thoroughly evaluate the department's structure, policies, and procedures, and enhance best practice SOPs that further support a collaborative and efficient work environment and ensure a department rooted in sustainable practices, accountability, and quality control.

Embrace and ensure Milton's forward-thinking approach, and work collaboratively with city administration, councilmembers, stakeholders, and any hired consultants to prepare the city's next strategic and comprehensive plans identifying key priorities that address community desires and needs including urban growth demands, historic preservation, and established guidelines of the "Milton Way" - specific design elements to protect the city's aesthetics and culture.

Qualifications

Qualifications : A bachelor's degree in urban planning, architecture, public administration, or a related field is required, along with seven years of experience in planning, zoning, and development and at least seven years in a managerial capacity. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

A master's degree in urban planning, public administration, or a similar field and experience as a planning/zoning director in a similar city are preferred. AICP certification is also preferred.

The Successful Candidate is: knowledgeable of federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing the administration of code enforcement, planning, zoning, building inspections, permitting, economic development, and land development;

committed to sound and proactive planning approaches;

an effective coach and mentor to staff - committed to developing staff knowledge and expertise regarding municipal codes and trends in the profession, and establishing, training, and equipping staff to uphold expectations for customer service/interactions with external customers;

a strong advocate for staff who values accountability while holding realistic and fair expectations of self and others;

someone with excellent organizational skills and the depth and breadth to revamp/implement procedures to ensure consistent understanding of and application of the codes;

proactive in fostering and maintaining collaboration and cohesiveness both within city departments and with external partners, including community members, local stakeholders, non-profits, and business leaders, to effectively achieve the city's goals;

a strategic problem solver who seeks information from multiple sources, communicates ideas and decisions effectively, and evaluates results;

an expert in utilizing data and metrics to propose solutions and make decisions; and,

skilled in budget development and management, monitoring and accounting controls, processing and managing contracts, policy development, and application.

Additional Information

Salary and Benefits : The hiring range for the position is $140,000 - $160,000, depending on qualifications and experience. The City of Milton provides a including medical, dental, and vision plans including a free option for employee-only coverage (spousal and dependent coverage are available at an additional cost). The city also provides a substantial life insurance and AD&D benefit with the option to purchase additional coverage as well as access to optional accident and critical illness plans. At no cost to the employee, Milton also provides access to employee assistance resources aimed at mental health, financial wellness and more.

With long-term financial stability in mind, the city also provides one mandatory and one voluntary retirement plan. Since the city is exempt from social security, the mandatory plan includes an employee contribution of 6.2% with a match of 6.2% from the city in a 401(a). The voluntary 457(b) defined contribution plan includes an employer match at 200% up to the first 6% of employee contributions with a graduated 5-year vesting at 20% per year for the employer contribution portion. Please visit for detailed information on the City's benefits.

To apply, please visit and click on the Community Development Director - City of Milton, GA title. All applications must be submitted online via the Developmental Associates application portal (link above) - NOT the city's employment application portal or any other external website.

Resumes and cover letters must be uploaded with the application.

Applicants should apply by July 10, 2024.

Successful semi-finalists will be invited to participate in virtual interviews and skill evaluation interviews on August 13-14, 2024 . Candidates are encouraged to reserve these dates for virtual meetings should they be invited to participate.

Interviews with the leadership team will follow quickly at a subsequent time in person.

Direct inquiries to

The City of Milton, GA, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Developmental Associates, LLC manages the recruitment and selection process for this position. To learn more about our selection process, visit https://developmentalassociates.com/client-openings/, select "Client Openings," and scroll down to "Important Information for Applicants."

Benefits are specific to the employing organization. Please refer to the benefits information that is in the ad as well as in the recruitment brochure. If you need further information, please contact the employer associated with the position

01

CONFIDENTIALITY DISCLOSURE AND APPLICATION COMPLETION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Developmental Associates works on behalf of this client to recruit and collect information on candidates for this position. All applicant materials will be shared with the employer and their employees who are involved in the hiring process for this position. This application process uses a combination of automated and hand scoring of all application materials against screening criteria that have been established by the employer. 1) By submitting this application, I am consenting to have my application materials shared with this employer. 2) I understand that if I have not completely and fully answered all application questions and/ or supplemental questions with details, my application may not be able accurately evaluated. 3) Further, I understand that merely referring to my resume (e.g. "see resume" in lieu of providing detailed responses) is not sufficient for purposes of ensuring accurate application evaluation and certification. Therefore, if my application is not complete, it may not be reviewed by the decision-makers. Yes

No

02

A bachelor's degree is required for this position. What is your highest degree? High School or GED

Some College or AA Degree

Bachelor's Degree

Some Graduate School, No Degree

MPA, MBA or other related graduate degree

Other Graduate Degree

03

In what area did you get your highest degree? If you said "other" above, what is your highest degree?

04

What certifications do you hold, if any?

05

This position requires seven progressive years of experience in planning, zoning, and development and at least seven years in a managerial capacity. How many years of experience in planning, zoning and development in a managerial capacity do you have? I've not served in a management or higher role in community development/ neighborhood development.

Less than 1 year

1.0-3.0 years

3.1-5 years

5.1-7.0 years

7.1-10.0 years

Greater than 10 years

06

What is the highest level position you have held in a Community Development department? Director/ Deputy

Assistant Director/ Deputy

Division Manager

Supervisor

City/Town Manager overseeing Planning, Development, Permitting, Zoning and Economic Development

Consultant in Planning, Development, Permitting, Zoning and Economic Development

I've never worked with Planning, Development, Permitting, Zoning and Economic Development

Other non-management role

07

Local government experience is preferred. With which government entities, if any, and what positions match your years of experience in Planning, Development, Permitting, Zoning and Economic Development?

08

What is the largest number of employees supervised within your span of control? I've never supervised any employees.

1 - 5

6 - 10

11 - 15

Greater than 15

09

Please identify in which of the following experience areas you have 2 or more years of direct and proficient experience. Affordable Housing

Administration

Code enforcement

Housing revitalization programs

Revitalization funding programs

Community Engagement with Neighborhood and Homeowner Associations

Housing Facility Management

Displacement Assistance Prgrams

Community Development Youth engagement initiatives

Collaboration with other City departments to meet Community Development goals

Neighborhood Parks

Interagency collaboration on affordable housing and community development

Historic Buildings, Museums

Bond Implementation, Bond Project Management

Other

10

If you answered "other" above, please explain:

11

What is the largest size budget (operating plus program funding) for which you have been responsible? Less than $500K

$500K - $1M

$1.1M - $1.5M

$1.51M - $2M

Greater than $2M

I have no budget experience

12

What is the largest population in a community where you were a Division Manager or higher in a Planning and Community Development role? Under 10,000

10,001 - 20,000

20,001 - 30,000

30,001 - 40,000

40,001 - 50,000

Greater than 50,000

13

I understand that the hiring range for the position is $140,000 - $160,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Yes

No

14

The City of Milton, GA is using a multi-step screening and evaluation process including a virtual skill assessment process for this position. The dates for this virtual process are August 13 - 14, 2024. This is a commitment that requires participation in 3-4 activities to assess key competencies. This requires about 3-4 hours of time, not including preparation. Applicants are encouraged to hold these dates should they be invited to participate. These are not public meetings but there will be substantial interaction with other professionals in the field who will serve as assessors. Further, we have all participants sign letters of confidentiality. GA law does not require the announcement of the top three applicants until finalists are selected. Indicating "yes" below represents your understanding of these elements of the process. Yes

No

Required Question