Special Assistant to the Mayor for Planning and Development
City of Tupelo, Mississippi

Position Title: Special Assistant to the Mayor for Planning and Development
Reports To: Mayor

PRIMARY FUNCTION

The Special Assistant plans, directs and coordinates the full range of community development activities, including planning, building, housing, and implementation of the City of Tupelo long-range plans. Under general policy direction, and in support of defined goals and objectives, the Special Assistant performs a variety of planning, management, financial and marketing tasks requiring the use of independent judgment.

KEY ROLES/ RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Leadership

* Provide leadership and direction to ensure the effective operation and delivery of programs
* Inspire, motivate, and develop staff and community volunteers
* Flexibility in thinking and action

B. Operations/ Management

* Overall management of planning department including budget and staffing
* Ensure all necessary administrative and operational systems are in place to support effective operations.
* Provide point of contact for stakeholders in the development/ building community including community associations and non-profits involved in overall community development
* Ensure Building Codes are up to date, accurate, and appropriate
* Ensure productive and effective staff performance, managing the performance of management level professionals.

C. Resource Development

* Ensure that resources and funding are available for various projects and initiatives
* Oversee the development of financial development strategic plans and, as necessary, participate in cultivation and solicitation visits.
* Ensure development, implementation and monitoring of the financial environment of programs.
* Strong knowledge of the grant process, including writing, implementing, and auditing of grants.

D. Strategic Planning

* Ensure and oversee a strategic planning process is instituted and implemented.
* Ensure and oversee the identification and evaluation of opportunities for improvement and implements plans for improvements.

E. Communication and Community Involvement

* Identify, recruit and develop effective volunteers.
* Ensure active participation by community leaders and support effective roles and functioning. Oversee staff liaisons to committees to ensure they are provided with the information and support necessary to fulfill their objectives.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

* May be assigned special projects periodically by the Mayor.

RELATIONSHIPS

* Internal: Maintain effective working relationship with staff and volunteers
* External: Develop and maintain contact with community non-profit organizations, private developers and others as required.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

* Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required with major coursework in Urban Planning, Public Administration, or a related field.
* Master's degree / advanced training preferred.
* Have five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in city planning, redevelopment and growth management programs including three (3) years of administrative or supervisory responsibility.
* The candidate must have advanced knowledge of the operational characteristics, services, and activities of urban planning; and a demonstrated history of developing and implementing urban planning programs.
* Strong communication skills, including public speaking, listening and writing; ability to write policy documents, contracts, staff reports, grant application and marketing materials.
* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with volunteers, staff, community groups, and other related agencies.
* Valid State Drivers License.
* Satisfactory State Police record check
* Demonstrated ability to recruit, manage, develop and retain key employees.
* Ability to control and manage a budget.
* Ability to manage multiple tasks and develop solutions to problems with limited supervision.
* Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to mentor and motivate staff.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information or to express interest in this opportunity, please contact:

The PACE Group
dlogan@thepacegroup.com

DISCLAIMER:

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of' employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and objectives required of' employees assigned to this job.