Community Development Director

Town of Signal Mountain

Position Description

Title: Community Development Director

Department: Community Development

Pay Grade 10

Purpose

The Community Development Director is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating a comprehensive portfolio of community-focused initiatives and programs for the Town of Signal Mountain. This includes leadership in communications, community engagement, economic development, Town branding, and the oversight of community programs and facilities. The position manages Parks & Recreation staff, Town facilities scheduling, and the Mountain Arts Community Center, while serving as the primary liaison to community organizations such as youth recreation leagues, the Signal Mountain

Playhouse, and other civic and cultural partners. This position is under the supervision of the Town Manager.

Fair Labor Standards Act Service

Exempt (Salary)

Essential Functions of the Job

Essential functions are fundamental job duties. They do not include marginal tasks, which are also performed but are not incidental to the primary functions. The omissions of specific statements of duties do not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position, nor does every position allocated to the job necessarily perform every duty listed.

Develop and implement strategies for effective Town communications, public outreach, and branding.

Serve as the Town’s primary point of contact for public information regarding community programs and events.

Build and maintain strong relationships with local organizations, residents, businesses, and regional partners.

Lead initiatives to support local economic vitality, including business development, downtown and corridor improvements, and marketing of Town assets.

Identify opportunities for grants, partnerships, and sponsorships to support community programs and capital improvements.

Oversee Parks & Recreation staff, including part-time employees, ensuring quality programming and customer service.

Manage scheduling of Town facilities, including athletic fields, community spaces, and rental facilities.

Direct the operations of the Mountain Arts Community Center, ensuring it serves as a hub for arts, culture, and community engagement.

Develop, coordinate, and evaluate community programs and events, ensuring alignment with Town goals and resident needs.

Serve as staff liaison to community organizations such as youth leagues, performing arts groups, and civic associations.

Provide oversight of contracts, agreements, and partnerships related to community programming.

Develop and administer departmental budgets; monitor revenues and expenditures.

Supervise and evaluate staff; ensure training, development, and adherence to Town policies.

Prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations for the Town Manager and Town Council.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Strong knowledge of community engagement strategies, public communications, and municipal branding.

Understanding of parks and recreation programming, facility management, and cultural/arts programming.

Familiarity with municipal economic development practices, including business retention, recruitment, and tourism development.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with staff, elected officials, volunteers, and community members.

Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.

Experience with budget development, contract administration, and grant writing is preferred.

Equipment

Computer, fax, copies, scanner, recording equipment.

Education and Experience Required

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Communications, Parks & Recreation Management, Community Development, or related field.

Five (5) years of experience in community development, communications, recreation, or municipal management, with at least two (2) years in a supervisory role.

Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Problem Solving Requirements

Solve a variety of complex problems in the absence of technical guidelines or precedents.

Writing Skills Required

Develop and refine strategic messaging, branding, and outreach materials to effectively communicate departmental initiatives, engage diverse community stakeholders, and enhance public trust and visibility.

Speaking/Presentation Skills Required

Interview or discuss detailed information, frequently involving citizen problems or complaints. Deliver informational speeches, reports, and orientation before audiences and groups that include people that are not organization employees.

Deliver presentations regarding potentially controversial issues.

Job Related Communication

Within the department—daily

With employees in other departments—daily

With employees in other organizations—daily

With the public—daily

Planning and Scheduling

Extensive – a substantial level of planning responsibilities exists, usually affecting numerous employees and activities and requiring a significant amount of time.

Difficulty of Work

Work involves moderately complex, relatively standardized tasks, processes and operations following established laws and procedures.

Assignment of Work

General guidance allowing for employee planning of procedures and methods to attain objective.

Effects of Work Errors

Errors may cause delays in work or losses in expenditures for material and/or equipment or unjustified work time.

Supervisory or Management Responsibilities

Supervises full-time and part-time Parks & Recreation staff, facility management staff, and program coordinators.

Working Conditions

Approximately 20 percent standing, 20 percent walking, and 60 percent sitting. Approximately 20-40 lbs. may be required lifting.

Lifting frequency – frequent

Bending – frequent

Pushing and/or pulling – frequent

Reaching over head – frequent

Kneeling – frequent

Crawling – some

Climbing ladders – some

Mental/Visual Effort

Typing/CRT – very frequent

Attention to detail – very frequent

Monitoring equipment – some

Detailed inspection – some

Transcription/proofreading – very frequent

Adverse Conditions

Exposure to temperature extremes – frequent

Dangerous equipment – some

Chemicals – frequent

Noise – some

Physical effort/risk – frequent

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $67,014.00 - $93,820.00 per year

Benefits:

- Dental insurance

- Dependent health insurance coverage

- Flexible spending account

- Health insurance

- Health savings account

- Life insurance

- Paid time off

- Retirement plan

- Vision insurance

Work Location: In person