MONTGOMERY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Code No. 7952
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND (Non-Merit)

CLASS SPECIFICATION

DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

DEFINITION OF CLASS:

This is executive-level work directing the operation of the Department of Housing and Community Affairs. Contacts are with high-ranking legislative and executive officials within County Government, officials of equivalent rank in other governmental jurisdictions, and private sector and community organizations or groups. The purposes of the contacts include presenting, justifying and defending controversial positions where conflicting and opposing viewpoints, goals and objectives are strongly advocated and must be reconciled to develop suitable alternatives or arrive at acceptable compromises.

The employee in this class plans, develops, implements, and evaluates housing and community development policies and programs by directing subordinate managers to: prepare and implement an effective intergovernmental strategy for systematically addressing problems which contribute to the physical decline of residential and commercial areas; monitor fair and equitable relations between landlords and tenants; ensure that dwelling units are maintained in a safe and sanitary manner; and promote the availability of affordable rental housing to tenants of all income levels. The work is performed under broadly defined missions and functions and general administrative direction with little technical guidance. The employee exercises full and final accountability for all matters associated with completing work assignments including determining the work to be performed and the methods used. Results of the work are considered technically authoritative and are evaluated in terms of the adequacy of the County's availability of housing and vitality of communities. Guidelines consist of broad policy directives and basic legislation, which require the employee to use considerable judgment in interpreting the intent of the guidelines and generating specific policies and guidance for use by subordinate managers in developing various components of the County's housing and community development program. The complexity of the work is reflected in the need for planning, directing and integrating a broad range of housing and community development functions, programs and services. The work requires consideration of economic, societal, land use, and community impacts and issues, and development of solutions that accommodate conflicting objectives from a variety of organizations, groups and individuals. The work of directing the housing and community development program is essential to the mission of the County Government and affects large segments of citizens and many communities in the County. The work is primarily sedentary, performed in a typical office setting, and subject to common everyday risks.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative Only)

Prepares and executes the County's short and long range capital programs and operating programs relating to community development and housing.
Maintains liaison with Federal and State agencies offering assistance for programs of community development, such as the Federal Government's Department of Housing and Urban Development, Environmental Protection Agency, and the State of Maryland's Department of Housing and Community Development.
Coordinates planning and implementation of activities related to urban renewal, redevelopment, rehabilitation, neighborhood and community improvement programs, historic preservation, commercial revitalization of local retail centers and major business districts with other governmental and private agencies concerned with community development.
Speaks to community, civic, and other groups to stimulate interest and explain the County's Community Development and Housing Programs.
Participates as a member of the County's Planning Policies Committee, a group of major Department Directors which directs the development and implementation of the Executive Branch Comprehensive Planning functions.
Monitors the operation and activities of the County's Housing Opportunities Commission for compliance with contracts and conditions of delegated authority and conformance with the County's Housing Policy.
Develops and administers implementation of programs for rehabilitation of sub-standard single family and multi family housing.
Administers the central relocation function for all families and businesses displaced as a result of County or MNCPPC action.
Assures adequate representation of the County at COG's Housing Technical Committee, when subsidy resources are allocated for the SMSA.
Initiates, investigates, and conciliates any violations of the Landlord- Tenant Relations Act or any complaints filed under provisions of the Act.
Assists the Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs in carrying out its duties in implementing Commission rules and regulations.
Undertakes activities to encourage landlords to maintain high standards for honesty, fair business practices and public responsibility in landlord- tenant affairs.
Chairs the Housing Coordinating Committee which recommends strategies to the County Executive for implementation of the County's Housing Policy.
Performs other related duties as required.

RECOMMENDED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience: Extensive (7 years) experience in community planning and development, code enforcement, landlord tenant relations or related fields, with at least four (4) years in a managerial or supervisory capacity which included responsibility for fund and budget administration, program planning, implementation and administration.
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in Urban Planning, Social Sciences or related fields.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Extensive knowledge of local, State, and Federal programs essential to housing, community development and landlord-tenant activities.
Extensive knowledge, or the ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of, the functions and activities of the local government, bi-county, State, and Federal agencies that deal with the County.
Extensive knowledge of landlord-tenant laws, practices and problems or the
ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with governmental, community, or business groups.
Skill in conducting and evaluating technical research on economic and sociological programs.
Skill in organizing and directing the activities of staff and working effectively with a wide variety of civic and private groups interested in community development.
Skill in oral and written communication sufficient to develop defenses or justifications of decisions rendered.
Skill in negotiating agreements which accommodate the conflicting interests and viewpoints of numerous groups and organizations.
Ability to attend meetings and perform work assignments at locations outside the office.

LICENSE: None.

MEDICAL GROUP: Medical History Review.

Class Established: January, 1980
Revised: June, 1984
July, 1987
December, 2002