Director of Community, Neighborhood & Housing Services
City of Gaithersburg, Gaithersburg, Maryland, us, 20883
Overview
The City of Gaithersburg is seeking a community oriented, customer-focused, collaborative professional to oversee and direct the management and operation of activities and programs in the Department of Community, Neighborhood, and Housing Services (CN&HS). The CN&HS Department collaborates with community partners, other government agencies, businesses, homeowners’ associations, rental communities, and residents to advance opportunities for those in need, strengthen families, neighborhoods, and the entire Gaithersburg community.
Position The Director of Community, Neighborhood & Housing Services oversees and manages all functions, activities, and programs in the Department's four Divisions, serves as staff liaison with and attends meetings of the Mayor and City Council, and other boards and committees. The Director manages the Department budget, multiple projects, provides guidance on complex matters, handles conflicts, and oversees administrative functions such as inclusionary housing programs, emergency assistance, CDBG funding, rental inspections, and homeless outreach. The Director supervises all personnel administration functions, including recruiting, hiring, training, direction, and evaluation of staff.
Priorities
Evaluate critical operations of the Department.
Establish familiarity with updated Chapter 13 of the City of Gaithersburg’s Municipal Code and related ordinances.
Oversee the establishment and launch of a new city-managed alternative to the Montgomery County Commission on Common Ownership Communities.
Ensure compliance for Community Development Block Grant award with HUD timeliness, reporting, and other program requirements.
Assess property conditions at Wells Robertson House and DeSellum House.
Shepherd amendments and updates to the City’s Affordable Housing regulations through the legislative approval processes.
Work closely with Community Services staff on evaluating recently implemented processes for Community Service, Youth Enrichment, and Parent Resource Center grants.
Advocate for greater resources from Montgomery County for homeless support services and rental assistance funding.
Develop and maintain positive relationships with the City Manager, Department staff, Mayor and City Council, and other boards and commissions.
Minimum Qualifications
Master's Degree in Public or Business Administration, Community Development, Urban Studies, Urban/Regional Planning, Human Services, or closely related field.
Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience involving planning, organization, and implementation of major functions and programs, primarily in a managerial capacity.
Valid driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications
Local government experience desired; municipal government experience strongly preferred.
Residency Residency within the City of Gaithersburg is not required.
Successful Candidate The ideal candidate is an accomplished, empathetic, innovative leader dedicated to public service, strategic thinker, detail-oriented, socially conscious, and a practical manager. The candidate thrives in dynamic environments, fosters interdepartmental collaboration, builds relationships with diverse partners, and demonstrates inclusive engagement, active listening, and emotional intelligence. The candidate manages performance constructively, mentors staff, and upholds the values of service, integrity, and professionalism.
Compensation The anticipated hiring range is $167,000 to $187,000, depending on qualifications, with an excellent benefits package.
How to Apply Interested candidates must complete and submit a brief online application and attach supporting documents:
Current resume
Letter of interest
List of references (at least 4, including a manager, subordinate, and colleague). References will not be contacted without permission.
Other supporting documents may be attached but are not required.
Application Review First review of applications will begin by March 6, 2026. The position will remain open until filled; recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of qualified applications are identified or all hiring decisions have been made.
Contact For more information, contact Assistant City Manager Tom Lonergan-Seeger at 240.805.1093 or Tom.Lonergan-Seeger@gaithersburgmd.gov. Questions regarding the online application process may be directed to the Department of Human Resources at 301.258.6327 or hr@gaithersburgmd.gov. For demographic and other information about the City of Gaithersburg, please click here.
Additional Information Department Directors are in the unclassified service and not included within the City’s merit system. The successful candidate will be subject to a background investigation. Direct deposit of paychecks is a condition of employment for all City of Gaithersburg employees.
The City has established an alcohol-free, drug-free, and smoke-free workplace. Employees may be required to participate in pre-employment and reasonable suspicion testing. Safety-sensitive employees are also subject to immediate post-accident and random testing.
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Position The Director of Community, Neighborhood & Housing Services oversees and manages all functions, activities, and programs in the Department's four Divisions, serves as staff liaison with and attends meetings of the Mayor and City Council, and other boards and committees. The Director manages the Department budget, multiple projects, provides guidance on complex matters, handles conflicts, and oversees administrative functions such as inclusionary housing programs, emergency assistance, CDBG funding, rental inspections, and homeless outreach. The Director supervises all personnel administration functions, including recruiting, hiring, training, direction, and evaluation of staff.
Priorities
Evaluate critical operations of the Department.
Establish familiarity with updated Chapter 13 of the City of Gaithersburg’s Municipal Code and related ordinances.
Oversee the establishment and launch of a new city-managed alternative to the Montgomery County Commission on Common Ownership Communities.
Ensure compliance for Community Development Block Grant award with HUD timeliness, reporting, and other program requirements.
Assess property conditions at Wells Robertson House and DeSellum House.
Shepherd amendments and updates to the City’s Affordable Housing regulations through the legislative approval processes.
Work closely with Community Services staff on evaluating recently implemented processes for Community Service, Youth Enrichment, and Parent Resource Center grants.
Advocate for greater resources from Montgomery County for homeless support services and rental assistance funding.
Develop and maintain positive relationships with the City Manager, Department staff, Mayor and City Council, and other boards and commissions.
Minimum Qualifications
Master's Degree in Public or Business Administration, Community Development, Urban Studies, Urban/Regional Planning, Human Services, or closely related field.
Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience involving planning, organization, and implementation of major functions and programs, primarily in a managerial capacity.
Valid driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications
Local government experience desired; municipal government experience strongly preferred.
Residency Residency within the City of Gaithersburg is not required.
Successful Candidate The ideal candidate is an accomplished, empathetic, innovative leader dedicated to public service, strategic thinker, detail-oriented, socially conscious, and a practical manager. The candidate thrives in dynamic environments, fosters interdepartmental collaboration, builds relationships with diverse partners, and demonstrates inclusive engagement, active listening, and emotional intelligence. The candidate manages performance constructively, mentors staff, and upholds the values of service, integrity, and professionalism.
Compensation The anticipated hiring range is $167,000 to $187,000, depending on qualifications, with an excellent benefits package.
How to Apply Interested candidates must complete and submit a brief online application and attach supporting documents:
Current resume
Letter of interest
List of references (at least 4, including a manager, subordinate, and colleague). References will not be contacted without permission.
Other supporting documents may be attached but are not required.
Application Review First review of applications will begin by March 6, 2026. The position will remain open until filled; recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of qualified applications are identified or all hiring decisions have been made.
Contact For more information, contact Assistant City Manager Tom Lonergan-Seeger at 240.805.1093 or Tom.Lonergan-Seeger@gaithersburgmd.gov. Questions regarding the online application process may be directed to the Department of Human Resources at 301.258.6327 or hr@gaithersburgmd.gov. For demographic and other information about the City of Gaithersburg, please click here.
Additional Information Department Directors are in the unclassified service and not included within the City’s merit system. The successful candidate will be subject to a background investigation. Direct deposit of paychecks is a condition of employment for all City of Gaithersburg employees.
The City has established an alcohol-free, drug-free, and smoke-free workplace. Employees may be required to participate in pre-employment and reasonable suspicion testing. Safety-sensitive employees are also subject to immediate post-accident and random testing.
#J-18808-Ljbffr