Community Development Manager

Urban Development Manager (Community Development Manager)

The City of Lincoln, Nebraska is looking to hire a Community Development Manager to lead the Urban Development Department's Livable Neighborhoods Division.

Lincoln is the capital of and second largest city in Nebraska. Located midway between Chicago and Denver, the city is approximately 101 square miles and serves 294,000 residents.

We are the center of the State's governmental and educational activities, including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the state's largest with 25,000 students. Lincoln has a diversified economic base, excellent school system with high graduation rates, a burgeoning startup community, and access to multiple higher education opportunities. Lincoln is not a boom-and-bust city.

We've enjoyed a 1% - 1.5% average rate of population growth for the last 100 years. As the seat of government and education, these sectors deliver economic stability through jobs, innovation, and continuity.

The City consistently earns top national rankings for its quality of life and its economy. This State Capital and college town offers the excitement of a big city with the convenience and friendliness of small-town living.

Nebraska's capital is home to more than 30,000 immigrants and refugees from 150 countries. Residents are proud of the city's 131-mile trail network, excellent educational system, low crime rate, high-tech infrastructure, and great climate for job seekers and entrepreneurs.

Lincoln continues to rank high among cities in the United States for its economy, jobs, parks and trails, health, happiness, etc. The City of Lincoln has recently received a variety of national accolades, including:

•         Lincoln was ranked number one for livability in the state and number eleven in the nation for large communities (categories: housing, transportation, health status, and community engagement), AARP Livability Index report, 2024
•         The City is the 3rd most financially healthy City among the 75 most populous cities, truthinaccounting.org, 2022
•         Among state capitals, Lincoln ranks 5th for safety, well-being, etc., Wallethub.com, 2022
•         Lincoln ranked 1st among the Happiest Cities in America, Men's Health, 2020

While the City has received many accolades, the City also has areas that need improvement. The Urban Development Department serves as the City's Redevelopment Authority, which supports the redevelopment and revitalization of the City's blighted and substandard areas through tax increment financing, in addition to other resources.

The Livable Neighborhoods Division of the Department supports older neighborhoods through federal programs and local action plans. The Division also supports individuals through a variety of programs and partnerships, including rental assistance, homebuyer assistance, supportive housing, etc. The Division is also helping implement strategies to support the preservation and development of affordable housing. The Urban Development Department provides other services, such as managing parking assets, overseeing right of way acquisition and the sale of public property, and supporting economic development.The City of Lincoln - Urban Development department is seeking a highly responsible professional, with administrative and supervisory experience directing and coordination of various activities.

Work involves responsibility for planning, developing, directing, supervising and evaluating the programs, projects and services provided by Urban Development. Work involves developing and maintaining policies which are in strict compliance with current federal and state requirements.

Work includes executing program policies and procedures and reviewing program effectiveness. Work also includes working with professional consultants, advisory bodies, property and business owners, community organizations, City officials, various governmental agencies and City departments. An employee in this class is expected to exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment within the framework of established guidelines and policies.

Supervision is received from the Director of Urban Development with work being reviewed in the form of reports, conferences, program effectiveness and conformance with prescribed federal, state and local laws. Supervision is exercised over a staff of professional and clerical employees.Oversee federal programs, including CDBG, HOME, ESG and Lead Hazard Control Grant.

Manage HUD Consolidated Planning processes; assist with writing annual plans and reports.

Oversee City-funded housing rehabilitation related programs, such as Heat Pump and Ash Tree Removal programs.

Manage implementation of strategies identified in the Lincoln Affordable Housing Coordinated Action Plan, including project management of Residential Rental Rehabilitation Programs.

Manage the Permanent Supportive Housing for Chronic Homelessness project.

Coordinate with funding groups, non-profits, and service providers on neighborhood improvement work.

Serve as City liaison for neighborhood residents and associations and complete administration tasks for Mayor's Neighborhood Roundtable

Serve on Community Learning Center Board and other committees representing community development initiatives.Desired: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in public administration, business administration, urban or community development, or related field; and completion of graduate studies with a master's degree in city, regional or urban planning, public or business administration, or related field plus thorough administrative and supervisory experience.

Minimum Qualifications: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in public or business administration, urban or community planning, or related field; or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the desirable knowledge, abilities and skills.