JOB SUMMARY

Under general supervision of the Development Services Director, the Development Relations Manager is responsible for initiating, coordinating, and managing relations with developers that do business with the Town of Little Elm.  This position consistently exercises discretion and independent judgment in managing areas of responsibility related to development projects.  This position is delegated authority regarding matters of significance related to development projects. An ideal candidate is a flexible individual with the ability to apply analytical thinking to solve problems and build relationships with the development community.  The candidate must be highly motivated and strive for success by demonstrating Little Elm’s Core Values of Integrity, Customer Service, Efficiency, and Innovation.

This position functions as the department’s representative and central point of contact for development and special project management activities; establishes a positive and customer service focused working environment to resolve various development related challenges; coordinates the evaluation of development alternatives and facilitates collaboration on the selection of viable consensus-based solutions to technical and operational challenges; facilitates mutually beneficial outcomes for complex agreements between land owners, developers, utility companies and the Town; conducts highly effective public and stakeholder outreach efforts; administers consulting contracts; represents Town’s interests at regional meetings; serves as a coordination point person for certain economic development activities; manages development agreements; prepares and presents reports of findings and recommendations for implementation to Town departments, the Town Manager’s Office, Council sub-committees, Planning and Zoning and the Town Council as a whole; and develops cost estimates and coordinates budget analysis and projections with the Development Services Director.

This position is expected to perform the full-range of professional duties including acting as the department’s representative in all areas related to on and off-site improvements for private development. Assignments are broad in scope and require the use of independent judgment and initiative. This position may act as lead over other technical professionals and, on an as-needed basis, may supervise or oversee a team of professionals, paraprofessionals, or technicians providing technical expertise, guidance, and leadership.  This position will also aid in managing and assisting in the development of the departments budget.  They will also process purchase orders, P-cards and handle other finance duties related to the department.

EDUCATION/TRAINING/EXPERIENCE

1. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Urban Planning, Construction Management, Public or Business Administration, Sustainability, Environmental Resources, Public Relations or a related field.
2. Must pass a pre-employment drug screen and criminal background check.

LICENSES OR CERTIFICATES

1.         Must be bondable.

2.         Valid Texas Drivers License

LANGUAGE SKILLS

1. Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently.
2. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies or authorities, or members of the local business community.
3. Good verbal and written communication skills are essential.

OTHER SKILLS & ABILITIES

1. Must represent the Town of Little Elm’s culture of Servant Leadership and core values of Integrity, Customer Service, Efficiency, and Innovation. 
2. Ability to establish and meet deadlines.
3. Self motivated.
4. Demonstrate a willingness to perform duties in a team environment.
5. Ability to assist in the preparation of reports regarding development and special projects, variances, subdivisions, appeals of interpretation of design review, and planned development concepts for the development review process.
6. Ability to prepare legal advertisements for public hearings.
7. Must possess strong organizational skills and be entrepreneurial energetic, and imaginative.
8. Knowledge and skill in the use of a computer including Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other office-oriented software.
9. Data entry and file set-up
10. Ability to learn applicable laws, codes, ordinances and regulations underlying general plans, zoning and land subdivisions and other agreements.
11. Skill in effective oral and written communications.
12. Skill in effectively managing multiple projects.
13. Ability to effectively communicate and interact with supervisors, other employees, government officials, and the general public.

REASONING ABILITY

1. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished by management in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
2. Experience in prioritizing, planning, and scheduling, works independently in the absence of specific instructions or supervision.
3. Ability to comprehend complex policies, procedures, regulations, organizational structures etc. in a short time frame.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to operate various machines and/or equipment; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee frequently is required to talk and hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT          

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  It is a primarily office environment, although site trips in the field are sometimes required.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS       

1. Prioritize work load effectively; relay instruction, information and decisions as directed.
2. Answers routine development questions from external and internal customers.
3. Cultivate and maintain supportive relationships with the development community, and other key stakeholders.
4. Liaison/ombudsman for the Town and Developer Services Department for all development related activity.
5. Take and transcribe dictation; type and proofread a wide variety of reports, letters, memos and statistical charts; type from rough draft, verbal instruction or transcribing machine recordings; Compose general correspondence related to responsibilities assigned.
6. Initiates business and public relationships to assist with development both before, during and after.
7. Problem solve and find solutions to solve problems for development.
8. Initiates and maintains a variety of files and records for information related to the Director or Department.
9. Learns the rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures for a wide variety of municipal planning and development activities.
10. Answers inquiries and assists the public and developers with planning and technical review issues; provides ordinance, zoning, general plan, subdivision, plat, easement and development information within scope of authority and training.
11. Reviews and processes applications for compliance and completeness, permits and plans; creates correspondence and reports, and communicates with customers as needed.
12. Reviews project documents and assists in the development of professional reports.
13. Track development and other special projects to ensure milestones are met.
14. Attends development related meetings as needed or required.
15. Provide updates and give presentations regarding development related activity.
16. Coordinates the Town’s participation in public forums and other means of community input related to development and redevelopment.
17. Participate in certain economic development related activities.
18. Evaluate departmental procedures to ensure streamlined and customer centered processes. 
19. Helps ensure applicant’s concerns are addressed in a timely manner.
20. Provides support in preparation of DRC, Planning and Zoning, and Town Council agenda items.
21. Departmental web contact and updates web pages.
22. Travels off site to attend meetings, conferences, and training.
23. Performs other duties as assigned.

E.O.E.  The Town of Little Elm does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability or military service in employment or the provision of services.