Neighborhood Services Special Projects Manager

Job Description:

Neighborhood Services Special Projects Manager

Description

Distinguishing Features of the Class

The principal function of this position includes organizing, strategizing, and monitoring a wide-range of complex activities, projects, policies, and programs that promote the goal of healthy and thriving neighborhoods. This position serves as an expert in an assigned area—such as property redevelopment, addressing slum and blight, public engagement, capacity building, or housing development—of neighborhood services and acts as a liaison to a broad network of organizations, influencers and funding sources in that area. The nature of the work requires that an employee in this class have significant experience that enables them to gain access to and represent the City of Des Moines to other public agencies, elected officials, senior staff, private companies, community organizations and the public. This position may provide general direction to and/or supervision over professional, technical and clerical staff. Work is broad in scope and requires seasoned judgment and a high degree of initiative and independence. Position reports has no direct reports.

Acceptable Experience and Training

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Political Science, Public Policy, Law, Communications, Urban Planning or a related field; and
• Three years of experience in community engagement, neighborhood development, local government, policy development, management, or a related area, including experience working for an elected official or high-level executive preferred; or
• Any equivalent combination in which one year of related experience may be substituted for one year of desired education, but in no case may experience be substituted for more than two years of education.

Required Special Qualifications

• Candidates for positions in this class must pass a pre-employment, background check, physical examination and drug screen.
• Possession of a valid Iowa driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility.
• Project management experience preferred.

Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)

• Directs, supervises and coordinates assigned special projects involving Neighborhood Services;
• Contributes ideas to and implements inter- and intra-departmental planning efforts, especially adhering to the Neighborhood Services’ strategic plan;
• Maintains relationships with stakeholders by providing technical assistance, capacity building or guidance on best practices related to assigned projects;
• Researches to inform policy and decision making on issues;
• Facilitates public engagement regarding assigned projects;
• Creates benchmarks and reports on results to the City Manager, Council, and public;
• Works with City staff to connect annual goals and outcomes of activities to policy implementation;
• Coordinates with City staff and developers on projects, including research and analysis, working with residents and property owners, coordination and preparation of reports, and coordination of public meetings;
• Coordinates and leads policy or project development that may require multiple board or commission reviews;
• Serves as City staff representation and support on related steering, citizen, or stakeholder-based committees to build public awareness, input, or civic ownership of project-related issues;
• Serves as professional staff for planning-related boards, commissions, subcommittees, and task forces as needed;
• Analyzes data, reports findings, and makes recommendations to City staff, boards, commissions, or other officials;
• Presents data, statistics, and analysis to boards, commissions, officials, or the public as needed;
• Works with staff to positively and effectively solve problems related to assigned specialty;
• Coordinates and provides support with project development and implementation to other divisions and departments;
• Supervises and monitors projects to ensure that plans, policies, and agreements are followed;
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas;
• Responds to residents’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;

Performs other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of the classification.

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Closing Date/Time: 3/9/2026 4:00 PM Central

Salary:

$44.91 - $54.43 Hourly