INTRODUCTION
* THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM CIVIL SERVICE *
Appointment and continued employment is at the pleasure of the Department of City Development Commissioner.
Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed charm with top-flight arts and cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities, and great restaurants.
The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.
PURPOSE
The Housing Programs Manager is responsible for overseeing, directing, and coordinating the staff and programs for the Department of City Development's (DCD’s) housing and neighborhood redevelopment activities.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
HOUSING PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
- Formulate housing policy and new programming initiatives to respond to neighborhood needs, Mayoral priorities, and funding opportunities.
- Represent the department and administration in policy and program discussions with elected officials, community partners, philanthropic organizations, and residents.
- Serve as the public face of the department’s housing rehabilitation and preservation programs and neighborhood initiatives.
- Manage expenditure of federal CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) and HOME (Home Investment Partnership Program) funds, City Strong Neighborhood Program funds, City housing funds, and other resources allocated to the department’s housing and neighborhood development programs and activity.
- Establish and implement procedures to ensure compliance with federal regulations, City policies, and funder requirements with respect to general programs requirements, including program applications, contractor participation and performance, fund disbursement, and reporting.
- Develop, cultivate, and maintain partnerships with local community organizations, lenders, residents, and other stakeholders to support the City's housing and neighborhood redevelopment goals.
STAFF MANAGEMENT
- Direct the activities of housing and neighborhood redevelopment staff in order to achieve desired goals.
- Build and maintain a culture of outstanding client service and creative problem-solving.
- Provide direction and staff support to the Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation (NIDC), a City-operated non-profit housing development organization.
- Set agendas for NIDC board meetings, recruit new board members, and communicate with board members to ensure board is informed of and supports departmental initiatives.
ADMINISTRATION
- Seek and develop outside sources of funding (such as grants from foundations) to leverage resources for City housing initiatives.
- Assist in the preparation of the annual budget for DCD's housing and neighborhood redevelopment activities.
We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- The Housing Programs Manager will be required to work variable hours as required by the needs of the department, including occasional evenings and weekends.
- Travel to various sites throughout the City of Milwaukee will be required as needed.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree in business, real estate development, public policy, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
- Five years of experience managing and coordinating neighborhood redevelopment activities and programs.
- Valid driver’s license and properly insured vehicle at time of appointment and throughout employment. Private automobile allowance may be paid pursuant to Section 350-183 of the Milwaukee Code.
Equivalent combinations of education and professional experience will be considered.
NOTICE: Please do not include your academic transcripts with your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in business, real estate development, public policy, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
- Supervisory experience.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
TECHNICAL
- Knowledge of housing and redevelopment in an urban setting.
- Knowledge of housing policy and programming initiatives.
- Knowledge of grant funding and federally funded housing program initiatives to develop outside funding sources.
- Knowledge of program management and development and public administration.
- Skill in using computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, personal management, and collaborative programs.
- Ability to read and understand technical job-related documents.
- Knowledge of mathematics and public sector budgeting principles and practices.
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
- Supervisory skills, including coaching, counseling, and mentoring.
- Ability to assign and direct work, assess performance, make hiring decisions, and take corrective action.
- Ability to plan and coordinate work of others.
- Knowledge of leadership principles and best practices for selecting, supervising, and motivating employees.
- Ability to foster an environment of inclusion wherein all employees are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths, and feel that they can safely express themselves.
INTERPERSONAL AND COMMUNICATION
- Interpersonal skills to collaborate with a wide range of people across responsibility levels, including elected officials, community organizations, business owners, contractors, the public and coworkers.
- Customer service skills to provide outstanding client service.
- Highly developed communication skills and ability to effectively communicate to a variety of audiences, e.g., residents, lenders, and elected officials.
- Verbal communication skills to communicate effectively with diverse groups of individuals and make presentations in public meetings.
- Written communication skills to create clear and concise business communications such as memos, reports, budget summaries, policies, procedures, and performance reviews.
- Ability to exhibit an exemplary level of cultural competence and work cooperatively and fairly with people whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.
CRITICAL THINKING AND PROFESSIONALISM
- Honesty, integrity, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to plan and organize work, prioritize tasks, manage projects, and successfully delegate work to complete tasks based on departmental deadlines and goals.
- Ability to recommend and implement solutions to complex problems.
- Ability to use tact, diplomacy, and excellent judgment when interacting with the public, elected officials, and City employees.
- Skill in short- and long-term strategic planning.
CURRENT SALARY
The current salary range (Pay Range 1JX) is $102,938-$117,177 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $106,027-$120,692. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.
The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:
- Defined Benefit Pension Plan
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
- Health and Dental Insurance
- Paid Parental Leave
- Comprehensive Wellness Program
- Onsite Clinic Services
- Onsite Employee Assistance Program
- Alternative Work Schedules
- Long Term Disability Insurance
- Group Life Insurance
- Tuition Benefits
- Paid Vacation
- 12 Paid Holidays
- Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
- Flexible Spending Arrangement
- Commuter Value Pass
For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit
SELECTION PROCESS
Screening for this position will be based on an evaluation of each applicant’s education, experience, and professional accomplishments, which should be detailed in a cover letter and resume.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
- Please send a cover letter and resume by email to Human Resources Administrator Vanessa Armstrong at vaarmst@milwaukee.gov by 4:45 p.m. on November 3, 2023.
- Please indicate “Housing Programs Manager” in the email message subject line.
- Inquiries regarding the selection process may be directed to Vanessa Armstrong by calling 414-286-6076 or via email at vaarmst@milwaukee.gov.
- The Department of City Development reserves the right to invite only the most qualified applicants to participate in the selection process.
INITIAL FILING DATE: The selection process will be conducted as soon as practical after November 3, 2023. Receipt of application materials may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the selection process at the time and place designated by the Department of City Development.
CONCLUSION
EEO Code = 102
The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.