Distinguishing Features of the Class
The principal function of this position includes organizing, strategizing, and monitoring a wide-range of complex activities, projects, policies, and programs that promote the goal of healthy and thriving neighborhoods. This position serves as an expert in an assigned area—such as property redevelopment, addressing slum and blight, public engagement, capacity building, or housing development—of neighborhood services and acts as a liaison to a broad network of organizations, influencers and funding sources in that area. The nature of the work requires that an employee in this class have significant experience that enables them to gain access to and represent the City of Des Moines to other public agencies, elected officials, senior staff, private companies, community organizations and the public. This position may provide general direction to and/or supervision over professional, technical and clerical staff. Work is broad in scope and requires seasoned judgment and a high degree of initiative and independence. Position reports has no direct reports.
Acceptable Experience and Training
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Political Science, Public Policy, Law, Communications, Urban Planning or a related field; and
- Three years of experience in community engagement, neighborhood development, local government, policy development, management, or a related area, including experience working for an elected official or high-level executive preferred; or
- Any equivalent combination in which one year of related experience may be substituted for one year of desired education, but in no case may experience be substituted for more than two years of education.
Required Special Qualifications
- Candidates for positions in this class must pass a pre-employment, background check, physical examination and drug screen.
- Possession of a valid Iowa driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility.
- Project management experience preferred.
Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)
- Directs, supervises and coordinates assigned special projects involving Neighborhood Services;
- Contributes ideas to and implements inter- and intra-departmental planning efforts, especially adhering to the Neighborhood Services’ strategic plan;
- Maintains relationships with stakeholders by providing technical assistance, capacity building or guidance on best practices related to assigned projects;
- Researches to inform policy and decision making on issues;
- Facilitates public engagement regarding assigned projects;
- Creates benchmarks and reports on results to the City Manager, Council, and public;
- Works with City staff to connect annual goals and outcomes of activities to policy implementation;
- Coordinates with City staff and developers on projects, including research and analysis, working with residents and property owners, coordination and preparation of reports, and coordination of public meetings;
- Coordinates and leads policy or project development that may require multiple board or commission reviews;
- Serves as City staff representation and support on related steering, citizen, or stakeholder-based committees to build public awareness, input, or civic ownership of project-related issues;
- Serves as professional staff for planning-related boards, commissions, subcommittees, and task forces as needed;
- Analyzes data, reports findings, and makes recommendations to City staff, boards, commissions, or other officials;
- Presents data, statistics, and analysis to boards, commissions, officials, or the public as needed;
- Works with staff to positively and effectively solve problems related to assigned specialty;
- Coordinates and provides support with project development and implementation to other divisions and departments;
- Supervises and monitors projects to ensure that plans, policies, and agreements are followed;
- Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;
- Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas;
- Responds to residents’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
Performs other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of the classification.
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01
I understand that such responses as "see resume", "see application", etc. to the following supplemental questions are not acceptable. Responses must be thorough, clear and concise to receive credit.
02
Have you graduated from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Political Science, Public Policy, Law, Communications, Urban Planning or a related field or closely related field? If yes, submittal of college transcripts is required by application deadline to receive credit. Please submit to the City of Des Moines Human Resources Department; electronically to humanresources@dmgov.org, by fax to 515-237-1680, or by mail to 1200 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309 by the application deadline date.
03
Do you possess of a valid Iowa Driver's License? If you possess an out-of-state Driver's License, submittal of certified driving records is required. All records should be submitted to the City of Des Moines Human Resources Department; electronically to humanresources@dmgov.org, by fax to 515-237-1680, or by mail to 1200 Locust St., Des Moines, IA 50309 at the time of application.
- Yes - I possess a valid Iowa driver's license.
- No - I possess an out of state license and I understand submittal of certified driving record required at the time of application.
- No - I do not have a valid driver's license.
04
Describe any work experience you have with community engagement, neighborhood development, local government, policy engagement, policy development, management or a related area. Include in your response the employer(s) and employment dates where you performed these activities.
05
Describe any customer service or public interaction experience you may have including where this experience was obtained and duration of experience. If no experience, indicate "none".
