Community Development Director

The City of Keene is seeking an experienced and progressive professional to lead the Community Development Department as the Community Development Director.  This position is responsible for long-range and strategic planning, development review, zoning, building code review, permitting and inspections, code enforcement, health, sustainability and energy, and GIS/Mapping.  Apply today to become a part of a great team whose focus is to enhance the City’s economic opportunities, build strong neighborhoods, and protect Keene’s environment and natural resources.

Our Community

Keene is a progressive city with the heart of a town, the cultural and economic hub of the Monadnock region

Keene is an energetic community that provides services, programs, and resources for a much greater population than the residents of the city alone. Although the conveniences and attractions of large metropolitan areas are close at hand, the community maintains a solidly residential working-class character, complemented by an idyllic, rural landscape. The heart of the community is its vibrant and historic, downtown core. Keene has cultivated a lasting spirit of place, built on a foundation of the past and a clear vision of the future.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provides leadership and direction for long-range planning programs including Comprehensive Master Plans, plans for existing and future land use, natural resource protection, sustainability and energy, major street plans, traffic and parking studies, subdivision regulations, and neighborhood analyses.

•Recommends and implements customer-focused processes that result in a well-coordinated land use application process that is timely, predictable, cost effective, and efficient within the department and supports process navigation across the organization, including fire and engineering.

• Works in partnership to support catalyst projects that are most relevant to development, redevelopment, historic preservation, community improvement, sustainability, energy, innovation and service delivery.

• Participates on various activities, projects and programs as they relate to economic and community development or redevelopment including ERZ, 79E, tax increment financing, and environmental limitations impacting community development opportunities.

• Develops and implements public participation processes including community surveys, focus groups, public forums, and workshops related to community priorities, council initiatives, capital planning or capital projects, and other planning initiatives.

• Provides technical and objective expertise and objective staff reports to the Planning Board, City Council, Conservation Commission committees, and other City departments, as required.

• Oversees the hiring, development, and performance management of department personnel by supervisory staff.

• Other specific job duties can be found in the job description below.

About the City of Keene

A friendly and vibrant college town with over 23,000 residents, Keene is a vital part of this southern New Hampshire area. As the hub of Cheshire County, the Keene community places a high value on environmental sustainability, locally sourced food and products, and historic preservation. You’ll find the best characteristics of small city living here, with a popular downtown area which offers shopping, restaurants, the arts, farmer’s markets, a thriving food co-op, festivals, events, and live theaters.  If you prefer to stay busy with outdoor recreation opportunities, there are many parks, ponds, and lakes in the area as well as a vast trail system for biking, hiking, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.  With convenient access to Interstate 91, many popular ski areas are within close proximity as well. Keene is a welcoming area with something for everyone, including sports leagues for youth and adults (such as an adult softball league, rugby, and ice hockey).  We even have our very own collegiate baseball team, the Keene Swamp Bats, which we welcome to the area every summer!

The City offers a variety of public and private education opportunities for students in kindergarten – grade 12. We are also home to Keene State College, which is ranked by U.S News and World Report as a top regional college, as well as River Valley Community College, and a private graduate school, Antioch University of New England. Your healthcare needs will be covered by Cheshire Medical Center, which is part of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health system. Cheshire is the area’s largest health care provider and a leading employer, with numerous satellite locations.

The city offers a diverse economy which includes a spectrum of everything from family-owned companies to global industry leaders.  Keene is a great place to live, learn, work, and play for families and professionals.

Discover More About the Monadnock Region

Requirements include:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field (Master’s Degree is preferred) plus 7-10 years of related experience in community development, long-term planning, and 5 years in a supervisory capacity, or an equivalent combination of both education and experience.

Salary and Benefits include:

• This position offers a salary of $108,780- $135,559 annualized and will also receive an attractive benefits package which includes low deductible/low-cost health insurance, low-cost dental insurance, State of NH Group I retirement, and other benefits such as life, disability, and paid time off, in addition to new hire incentives/moving expense assistance.

• An environment where you can grow, be challenged, and learn from interesting and talented colleagues! .

• The opportunity to make a real difference in our community.

Ready to apply?

Apply now by visiting https://keenenh.gov/jobs.  As part of the application process, you are required to upload your resume and cover letter.  Confirmation that your application has been successfully submitted and received will be sent via email.

This position will be open until filled and the first review of applications will be on Monday, October 21, 2024.

Job Description:  Community Development Director

THE CITY OF KEENE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.