Community Development Planner Jobs in Detroit, MI

Salary: $90,000.00 - $100,000.00 Annually
Location : Garden City, MI
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 05052026
Department: Administration
Opening Date: 05/05/2026
Closing Date: 5/26/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
The Economic Development Director serves as the executive leader of the City's Building and Community Development functions, providing strategic direction and full management oversight of planning, inspection services, zoning administration, and implementation of the City's comprehensive development plans. This position directs and coordinates all city-wide economic development initiatives, leading business attraction, retention, and expansion efforts while fostering sustainable community growth.
Acting as the chief administrator for the Garden City Downtown Development Agency (DDA), the Director works under the guidance of the DDA Board of Trustees to advance downtown revitalization efforts through marketing, branding, design review, maintenance oversight, loan program administration, and contract management. The role balances responsibilities between City-led projects (under the direction of the City Manager) and DDA-specific initiatives (under the direction of the DDA Board), ensuring compliance with applicable laws, policies, and funding requirements.
Examples of Duties / Knowledge & Skills

• Overall responsibility of the City Building Department. Assume full management responsibility for all Community Development Department services and activities including all City planning, inspection services, and the development, administration, and implementation of the City's general plans.
• Lead the administration and activities of the Garden City Downtown Development Agency (DDA), as directed by the DDA Board of Trustees, to enhance the quality of life for Garden City residents through revitalization of the downtown district.
• Directs all economic development initiatives of the City and act as a catalyst to introduce new businesses to Garden City. This includes a hands-on approach to meeting businesses on their own property.
• Plan, direct, coordinate, and implement a city-wide economic development work plan with goals and objectives.
• Development of short and long term economic and community development plans, as well as the gathering of information and preparation of studies, reports, and recommendations to achieve such goals. This will involve the preparation and maintenance of information on utilities, taxes, zoning, transportation, community services, financing tools, and incentives, to respond to requests for information for economic development purposes, and the coordination with other departments and agencies as needed.
• Provides professional economic development advice, assists in the application and permitting process, and serve as an advocate for economic development in line with the comprehensive plan, zoning ordinances, and goals as established by the City and the DDA Board of Trustees.
• Is a liaison with various local, State, and Federal agencies, coordinating projects with agencies as deemed necessary and appropriate, i.e. Wayne County Economic Development Department, Michigan State Department of Economic and Community Development, HUD, and the Regional Planning Commission, etc.
• Confer with engineers, developers, architects, other agencies, and the general public in acquiring information and coordinating planning, zoning, environmental, and related activities.
• Oversee and administer contracts with outside engineers, planners, and consultants; review the work of consulting staff for compliance with City standards and goals and direct the negotiation and the management of professional service contracts in the DDA Corridor.
• Provides information and/or makes presentations to City Council, DDA Board of Trustees, City Commissions, civic groups, businesses, individuals, and the general public on economic development issues, programs, services, and plans.
• Develops a detailed report and becomes familiar with the existing inventory of available buildings and business and residential development sites within the community. This will include both public and private buildings and land areas.
• Writes grant applications and related documentation to secure external funding for city programs and projects.
• Administers the DDA's micro loan program.
• Formulates and implements marketing and business attraction strategies for city-wide economic development success.
• Act as liaison to the Garden City Business Alliance and other community groups as available.
• Coordinate the efforts of other departments relative to the City's economic development activities.
• Serves as a member of economic development groups or task force that promote economic and community development at the local, State or Federal level, as deemed necessary or appropriate.
• Monitors legislation and regulations relating to economic development, and report findings to the appropriate impacted parties, i.e. the City Council, DDA Board of Trustees, City Manager, etc.
• Attends professional development workshops and conferences to keep abreast of new trends and developments in the fields of redevelopment and economic development, and to represent the interest of the City of Garden City on matters related to economic development.
• Maintains strong working relationships with the general public, area businesses, clients, the media, and others.
• Develop plans for improved communications with the public, including working with the City Communications Department, regarding the coordination of economic development activities and public information including but not limited to news releases, newsletters, and other publications.
• Explain, justify, and defend department programs, policies, and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• All other duties as assigned.

DDA SPECIFIC DUTIES:
The DDA Director will also be responsive to the DDA Board regarding these other tasks described in the current Bylaws:
Promotion and Marketing - To assist in creating a positive image that will improve consumer and investor confidence in our DDA District. They will also assist in planning events that will attract consumers to the downtown area, as well as create and manage the multimedia and branding for the DDA.
Design - They will assist in reviews and plans for aesthetic improvements in the DDA District as well as administering business improvement loans.
Maintenance - They will assist in monitoring the DDA District and identifying aesthetic concerns.
Contracts - They will assist in developing and executing contracts as directed by the DDA Board.
Checks - They will be sure all payments regarding DDA business are made in a timely manner.
Deposits - They will be sure all funds of the DDA are immediately deposited to the credit of the DDA as directed by the DDA Board.It is also understood that when the Economic Development Director is working as the DDA Director, they work in the direction of the DDA Board. Any development projects or other activities within the DDA corridor will still be the responsibility of the DDA Board. Tax funding captured by the DDA will not change and the use of that funding will be at the discretion of the DDA Board.
In the alternative, when the Economic Development Director is working on City projects outside of the DDA corridor, they will work in the direction of the City Manager.
Minimum qualifications & Requirements
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES:
Competitive candidates will have a bachelor's degree in urban planning, public administration, business management, or a related field, and seven (7) years' experience in municipal community development, with extensive program management, ordinance management, marketing, special event management, supervisory, and budgetary experience in local government, or a combination of any or all the above. AICP Certification or other advanced training is preferred.
KNOWLEDGE OF:

• City and DDA organization, operations, policies, and procedures.
• Applicable Federal, State, and City codes, laws, statutes, and ordinances.
• Principles and practices of planning, redevelopment, economic development, and land use, real estate acquisition, and development processes.
• Regulations and standards governing public policy development and Michigan redevelopment and land use law.
• Principles of the planning and design of redevelopment projects, affordable community housing and public/private development and infrastructure projects.
• Principles and practices of administrative management, including procurement, contract management, and risk management.
• Strategic planning and management principles and techniques.
• Record keeping and file maintenance principles and procedures.

SKILL IN:

• Working autonomously, with no staff, to redevelop the community through economic development.
• Analyzing complex community development issues, evaluating alternatives, and making creative recommendations based on findings.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Facilitating and building community, business, and organizational consensus in the visioning, planning, design and implementation of the City's planning, development, and economic development activities.
• Interpreting complex regulations, laws, and guidelines.
• Organizing, evaluating, analyzing, and presenting data and information.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects, and demands.
• Planning, organizing, and coordinating the work of volunteers.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with elected officials, appointed board members, public service providers, and representatives from other local, State and Federal agencies.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of standard and specialized software.
• Effective verbal and written communication.

Garden City provides a comprehensive benefits package to our employees. To read more about our Benefits, please visit
01
Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?

• High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED
• Associate degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Doctorate degree

02
Which of the following best reflects your number of years of experience in a senior-level community development role?

• 0 - 2 Years
• 3 - 4 Years
• 5 - 6 Years
• 7 - 9 Years
• 10+ Years
• N/A - None

03
Which of the following best reflects your number of years of experience in city-wide economic development?

• 0 - 2 Years
• 3 - 4 Years
• 5 - 6 Years
• 7 - 9 Years
• 10+ Years
• N/A - None

04
Which of the following best reflects your number of years of experience working with a DDA or CRA for downtown development?

• 0 - 2 Years
• 3 - 4 Years
• 5 - 6 Years
• 7 - 9 Years
• 10+ Years
• N/A - None

05
Which of the following best reflects your number of years of experience working in special events and marketing?

• 0 - 2 Years
• 3 - 4 Years
• 5 - 6 Years
• 7 - 9 Years
• 10+ Years
• N/A - None

06
Are you currently a member of any Mainstreet or Downtown associations?

• Yes
• No

07
Are you currently designated as an AICP?

• Yes
• No

08
Do you understand that this is a "hands-on" position of development, where there is little to no delegation of responsibilities?

• Yes
• No

Required Question