Director of Community Development and Economic Development

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

VILLAGE OF MORTON GROVE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The Village of Morton Grove is seeking a qualified and motivated individual to serve in the newly created role of Director of Community Development and Economic Development. This position serves under the direction of the Village Administrator and is appointed by the Village President with the concurrence of the Board of Trustees.  The position is responsible for advancing the economic development projects of the community while overseeing the planning, zoning, building permits, and inspections for the Village.  To learn more, please review the complete employment brochure here, Community Development Director Job Ad.

The Village of Morton Grove (5.1 square miles) is a diverse suburban community (pop. 25,297) that offers hometown charm and has been featured as one of the best places to live in Illinois. The Village is close to downtown Chicago, O’Hare Airport, Interstates 94 and 294 and is serviced by Metra trains and Pace buses. The Village has outstanding restaurants and shops and a balance of residential, retail, and commercial properties that provide diverse offerings to its residents. Almost 20% of the Village encompasses the Cook County Forest Preserve allowing residents to take advantage of many biking and hiking trails, golf courses, and parks. Morton Grove is described as an “Incredibly Close. Amazingly Open” community of neighbors that enjoys living in Morton Grove and care about each other.

The Village of Morton Grove is seeking an individual to serve in the newly created role of Director of Community Development and Economic Development to oversee the current functions of the Community Development and Building and Inspection Divisions.  The Community Development Department includes five full-time staff members and contractual staff for health and building inspections. The Department serves as the liaison for several Commissions including the Economic Development Commission, Plan Commission / Zoning Board of Appeals, and Appearance Commission.

To address operational needs, the Village is creating the position of Director of Community Development and Economic Development to oversee current divisions of Community Development and Building and Inspection Services.  The position directs, supervises, and coordinates the administration of Planning, Permitting, and Inspection Services.  The position also serves as a Department Director is expected to coordinate with their fellow Department Directors to coordinate resources and projects efficiently and effectively.   The position is responsible for drafting and administering the Budgets for the Department and the Village’s TIF Districts.

The responsibilities of the position include:

• Provides technical support and/or guidance for development plans and projects, initiates and directs the conduct of special studies and projects in such areas as annexation, zoning, geographic and demographic base file development and analysis, market research, open space, expansion strategy, building, and inspections, etc.
• Confers with public agencies, private organizations and individuals regarding projects and Village planning requirements; speaks before and develops planning interests of civic and citizen associations and interest groups.
  Acts as liaison to the Planning Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals, Appearance Commission, and the Economic Development Commission (EDC) and prepare associated materials in support of these public bodies.
  Oversees all building construction activities to ensure that building permits and occupancy permits are issued in accordance with the Village Code.
• Create and develop brochures, flyers, web pages and/or related marketing and promotional materials which will help in promoting real estate and/or development within the Village in support of economic development.
• Monitor and identify trends in the marketplace, to target general groups or types of businesses, or industries, which may be considering relocating in this area. Solicit individual businesses or industries to determine their interest in suitable sites within the community. Assist interested companies from initial contact for site selection purposes through project completion.
• Develop and maintain a suitable inventory of available commercial and industrial sites and space within existing structures which will be shared on a regular basis with the commercial real estate and developer community; establish ties with existing commercial/office/industrial property owners and leasing agents to provide them with assistance and marketing support.
• Administer existing and new Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts when created to insure compliance with all statutory requirements and to maximize the potential success of the district’s mission.
• Advises the Village Administrator and Board of Trustees on enforcement of building, life safety, environmental, and health codes.
• Oversees all staff within Community Development and the Building and Inspections Departments to ensure routine and special assignments of the Village are completed.
• Review and make recommendations regarding the use of other available statutory economic development tools such as the establishment of special taxing districts and business development districts under circumstances appropriate for the use of those redevelopment tools.
• Coordinates all project reviews and short- and long-range planning with Village departments and other local, State and Federal agencies. Supervises various work project groups and collects the planning input of the various Village departments