Community Programs Assistant Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Click here to view our recruitment brochure. Summary: Under general direction of the Assistant City Manager, leads, directs, and manages neighborhood and community service activities, programs, and community outreach to develop and improve community programs and services to the citizens of the City which strengthens neighborhoods and enhances the quality of life in Thornton. Oversees and provides direction of Code Compliance, Community Engagement, Volunteer Coordination and specialized Community Programs such as Community Development Block Grant and related grant programs, homelessness outreach and referral programs.

Works with other departments to design and implement a city-wide community engagement framework in general, and specifically for Community Program department programs. Creates cross-functional working groups to develop protocols to ensure a coordinated response for the Community Programs that are provided with the support of other departments such as Planning, Parks, Infrastructure, and Public Safety. Works with other departments to strengthen the City's capacity to engage residents in meaningful ways across all City programs.

Forms partnerships with neighborhoods, residents, and community groups to strengthen and enhance both the social fabric and physical aspects of Thornton neighborhoods. Provides the leadership and coordination of a multi-departmental housing strategy to assure a well-coordinated effort for a continuum of housing that meets the needs of Thornton's residents. Provides visionary leadership for the Community Programs Department.

Implements the approved strategic workplan and addresses the city priorities through thoughtful leadership and policies. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.) Leads, directs, and manages all activities and operations of the department, including code compliance, community engagement, volunteer coordination and community programs which includes housing grants and planning (CDBG, Private Activity Bond Allocation, HOME grants, etc.) and direct services and/or referrals in the areas of homelessness, utility assistance, volunteerism, community and partner relations, etc

that help to enhance the quality of life of residents. Provides cross-departmental leadership on services and strategies related to human services, work with vulnerable populations, neighborhood support, and other community capacity building to include development of strategy, coordination of services, and data collection sharing between departments such as Police, Fire, and Planning and Economic Development. Serves as a leader and convener on regional, intergovernmental and interagency planning related to issues of community health such as homelessness, mental health, food insecurity, youth violence, and civility.

Researches and evaluated emerging and identified best practices related to services, funding strategies, partnership frameworks and data collection and sharing in areas related to the work of the Department to include human services, homelessness, affordable housing, neighborhood health and community engagement. Motivates and influences people to facilitate organizational effectiveness. Creates collaborative and strategic relationships through attending relevant public meetings, planning sessions, meetings, and events; works with outside agencies to facilitate the provision of services to residents; serves on county and regional committees to study trends, learn of model programs, build capacity, and conceptualize programming opportunities; and participates in professional organizations and community groups.

Manages politically sensitive community program issues. Manages the development of long-range strategic plans, goals, objectives, policies, and department priorities. Assesses local needs and updates the strategic plan for the future of the department, the city, and the community.

Analyzes problems, identifies alternative solutions, projects consequences of proposed actions, and implements recommendations in support of goals and provides excellent customer service. Develops and implements the department budget. Determines levels of staff, equipment and other resources needed to effectively and efficiently provide departmental services and programs.

Pursues grant opportunities at the federal, state, and local level. Ensures compliance with federal regulations and guidelines to various funding sources, including the Community Development Block Grants, Private Activity Bonds, and other federal, state or local grants. Manages, supervises and directs the activities of assigned staff and functions.

Makes recommendations regarding hiring, discipline, termination or advancement of employees. Schedules employees, assigns work, and monitors progress. Guides, trains and develops employees in the accomplishment of their duties and professional growth; evaluates performance.

Monitors departmental operations and customer service to ensure quality control. Identifies and resolves deficiencies. Prepares and presents periodic and special staff reports on departmental issues and projects.

Balances advocacy for individual department wants/needs with commitment to and support for the best overall outcomes for the city and community. Maintains a thorough knowledge of federal and state laws, local statutes, ordinances, standards, procedures, and trends related to department operations, and ensures their implementation. Develops and implements rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to advance the department's mission, goals and objectives.

Oversees the administration of grants. Advocates necessary changes to promote high quality of life within the community; coordinates and resolves interdepartmental issues that arise from department processes. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major emphasis in Human Services, Social Work, or related field. Eight years' increasingly responsible experience in human services, social science, education, community engagement, or related field, and five years' experience in supervisory/management experience. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

MPA or master's degree preferred and experience working in a municipal/government agency. Licensing/Certification Requirements: May need the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as the job requires. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of the policies, procedures, practices, and goals of the City of Thornton and the department.

Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, statutes, and ordinances related to transportation and public works. Knowledge of the general principles and practices of public administration, including personnel management and supervision, organizational development and budgeting. Knowledge of civil engineering principles and practices, including as they relate to roadways and transportation related infrastructure.

Skill in planning, organizing, assigning and coordinating the activities of professional and technical staff. Skill in determining levels of staff, equipment, and other resources needed to effectively and efficiently provide departmental services and programs. Skill in reading, interpreting, and understanding blueprint drawings, specifications and contract documents.

Skill in developing, implementing, and evaluating policies and procedures in order to achieve department missions, goals, and objectives. Skill in dealing constructively with conflict, developing consensus and facilitating change. Ability to develop, manage, monitor, and maintain budgets.

Ability to assess community and city needs and strategically plan for the future. Ability to effectively represent the city in meetings with professional organizations, other public agencies, and the public. Ability to monitor departmental operations and customer service to ensure quality control, and to identify and resolve deficiencies.

Ability to motivate, lead, supervise and train employees. Ability to listen well and communicate effectively orally and in writing with various audiences. Ability to serve effectively as a member of a senior management team.

Ability to interpret, understand, and comply with complex statutes, ordinances, regulations, standards, and laws. Ability to analyze and evaluate information accurately, and to express ideas clearly when providing oral and written reports or recommendations on administrative, financial and technical issues. Ability to use standard office equipment, computer equipment and software required for the job.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City management, employees, elected officials, board and commission members, other agencies, community members and the general public. Physical and Mental Requirements: While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stoop, kneel, crouch, stand, walk, finger, grasp, talk, hear and make repetitive motions. This position is mostly sedentary light work, exerting up to 10-20 pounds of force occasionally and/or 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

The employee is required to have close visual acuity and will be subject to both indoor and outdoor conditions and noise, vibrations, and hazards. TESTING PROCEDURES Examinations may include but are not limited to application screening beyond minimum qualifications; written, oral, practical exercise or any combination thereof or other job related assessment deemed appropriate by Human Resources. Your application will be used as a screening tool.

Completeness and accuracy are important. Any false or untrue statements or material omissions in the application and related paperwork or during the selection process could disqualify you from consideration. As a condition of employment, the city of Thornton conducts background investigations for all positions which may also include a review of credit report and/or driving record.

A drug screen, physical, and/or psychological examination administered by a city-designated provider will be required for pre-determined positions. The City of Thornton is an equal opportunity employer.