Company Description

THE CITY:

The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst – Mount Ida Campus. The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.

OUR GOVERNMENT:

Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller was sworn in on January 1, 2018 after serving on the City Council. She ran on a platform of providing Newton’s children with a top-notch education in an inclusive environment where empty nesters, seniors, young families, and people of diverse incomes can live together in vibrant villages and neighborhoods. Mayor Fuller is committed to keeping Newton safe, improving the city’s infrastructure, addressing climate change, providing excellent and responsive city services, and fostering art, culture and community life. The first female Mayor of Newton, she is a tireless advocate for all the city’s residents and is committed to making sure the city is welcoming, inclusive and diverse. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well-positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.

AS AN EMPLOYER:

The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset. To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits. We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities. We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings. We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees. And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing hr@newtonma.gov.

Human Resources Diversity Statement

We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:

• Actively recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
• Proactively address discrimination through education and in partnership with other departments and leaders.
• Serve as a role model to celebrate and nurture diversity.
• Foster inclusion by staying curious and clarifying assumptions.
• Evaluate and develop policies and practices that reflect the diverse nature of our workforce.
• Build and strengthen accountability at all levels to support diversity efforts.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 457 Deferred Compensation plans
• Metro Credit Union
• Verizon Wireless discount
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous paid leave time benefits and paid holidays.
• City Retirement (Mandatory)
• Direct Deposit
• Opportunity to serve the public and join a dynamic team of dedicated employees

Job Description

Essential Functions: (The essential functions or duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

The Community Development Program Manager assists in the administration and management of the City’s federal housing and community development programs, including the CDBG, ESG, and HOME Program. Reporting to the Director of Housing & Community Development, the Community Development Program Manager works with the Division’s Grants Compliance & Accounting Coordinator to ensure full compliance with the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development’s (HUD) regulations. The Community Development Program Manager is responsible for managing projects, contracts, and expenditures related to Newton’s CDBG-funded affordable housing developments, and its Human Services, Architectural Access, and Emergency Solutions Grant programs. The Community Development Program Manager assists in the administration of the 13-community WestMetro HOME Consortium, including Newton projects funded through the HOME Program. The Community Development Program Manager is responsible for the partial supervision of the Community Development Planner.

• Act as one of Newton’s key liaisons with the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD).
• Ensure Newton’s compliance with HUD regulations specific to the CDBG, ESG, and HOME programs.
• Coordinate and manage the development and successful submission of the five-year Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan (AAP) and Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for Newton and the WestMetro HOME Consortium member communities, as well as other HUD required reports and documents. Assign staff as needed to assist in this process.
• Oversee the annual monitoring of CDBG and ESG program activities.
• Manage projects, contracts, and expenditures related to Newton’s CDBG-funded affordable housing developments, and its Human Services, Architectural Access, and Emergency Solutions Grant programs.
• Assist in the administration of the 13-community WestMetro HOME Consortium, including Newton projects funded through the HOME Program.
• Collaborate with elected and appointed officials, City boards and commissions, non-profit agencies, City departments and City residents to assess community needs and develop strategies and projects to address identified needs.
• Maintain up-to-date project/activity information using HUD’s Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS).
• Work to establish and improve administrative policies and procedures within the Division and provide on-going technical assistance to program subrecipients.
• Perform research and statistical analysis and present information to citizens, non-profit agencies and various City boards and officials as may be necessary.
• Organize and oversee public hearings to obtain community involvement in the City's Community Development Programs, in accordance with the City’s Citizen Participation Plan.
• Assist in the development and oversight of the annual budget for Newton’s CDGB and ESG programs.
• Works with other City staff to plan and implement projects, as well as compile and analyze data.
• Attends and participates in Department and other meetings and special events. Serves on assigned committees and task forces.
• Performs other duties as required or directed.

Education, Training and Experience: Knowledge of CDBG programs, laws, and operations. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to motivate and lead others. Excellent written and oral communication. Master’s degree strongly preferred in city planning, public administration or related field; plus two to four years related experience working with the Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Shelter Grant, HOME Investment Partnership Program and other federally funded programs and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Broad knowledge of finance or business administration and the use of office equipment, such as the personal computer and computer software.

A strong commitment to public service required.

Physical requirements/work environment

(The physical demands described here represent those requirements that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

Work is performed under typical office conditions; the noise level is quiet to moderate at most times. Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

Operates computers, printers, facsimile machine, copier, calculator, telephone and standard office equipment.

Has frequent contact with other City departments, current employees, and vendors/service providers.

Has access to all department-level confidential information, which requires the application of appropriate judgment, discretion and professional office protocols.

Errors in judgment or omissions could result in considerable confusion and delay, have a continuing adverse effect on the department's ability to deliver services, be costly to correct and cause significant adverse public relations.

Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5 - 10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally. Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Performance Standard

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the City through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.)