STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Director, Community Investment Fund

Recruitment #211229-4799MP-100

Introduction



The State of Connecticut, Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is the state’s lead agency responsible for strengthening Connecticut’s competitive position in the rapidly changing, knowledge-based global economy.

The agency takes a comprehensive approach to economic development that incorporates community development, transportation, education, and arts and culture. Specifically, the department:
  • Supports existing businesses and attracts new businesses and jobs with a wide range of programs and services to help companies prosper;
  • Promotes Connecticut industries and businesses here at home, throughout the country and across the globe;
  • Strengthens Connecticut’s communities by providing funding and technical support for local community and economic development projects;
  • Works to make tourism a leading economic contributor and a source of pride for Connecticut;
  • Develops and strengthens the arts in Connecticut and makes artistic experiences widely available to residents and visitors; and
  • Helps to eliminate brownfield properties by promoting smart growth principles, strengthening public/private partnerships and providing a one-stop resource for expertise.
The DECD has an anticipated opportunity to serve as Director, Community Investment Fund (State Program Manager). This position is full-time, 40 hour per week, Monday through Friday.

About the Role:

The Connecticut State Legislature has created the Community Investment Fund (CIF) 2030, which will oversee bonding funds for various economic development programs beginning in FY’23. The chief responsibility of the CIF Board is to recommend for the Governor’s approval any project providing economic or community development in municipalities that are designated Public Investment Communities or Alliance Districts. Funded projects could include Brownfield remediation, affordable housing, infrastructure improvement, pedestrian safety or traffic improvements, clean energy or resiliency, and home and public facility rehabilitation as well as revolving loan or other business small business support programs.

Primary Duties:

  • Establish and run application and review process for municipalities’ applications to CIF and their review by the CIF Board and the Governor. The Director will also be responsible for establishing other processes required for the smooth and efficient operation of the Fund.
  • Liaise between CIF Board and DECD by working seamlessly with stakeholders, including duties such as preparing for and presenting during CIF Board meetings, ensuring alignment with other DECD programs and initiatives, and responding to inquiries and other requests by CIF Board members.
  • Ensure smooth and timely disbursement of funds to grantees, as well as ensuring compliance and collecting regular reporting in partnership with other DECD staff.
  • Oversee other duties of and manage CIF staff. The Director will help hire and ultimately oversee a team of 1-2 program associates and 1 accountant, who will liaise with municipalities and non-profit grantees, manage day-to-day implementation of projects, coordinate with other agencies, maintain accounts of grants and expenditures, and support reporting as required by statute.
Benefits:
We offer a competitive benefits package that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off, including 12 paid holidays per calendar year! We also encourage a healthy work/life balance to all employees.

Selection Plan

All State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders  13F (3a) and 13G (3a) .

To Apply:

  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:

  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
Connect With Us:

Due to the large volume of applications received, the Department of Administrative Services is unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Jennifer Neumann at jennifer.neumann@ct.gov and reference the recruitment number.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for planning, organizing and directing an agency program and/or project or directing the development and administration of programs within a division.  

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives general direction from an administrative official of higher grade.  

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Directs staff as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Directs the administration and/or operations of an agency program and/or project or division; coordinates, plans and manages program and/or project activities; formulates goals and objectives; develops or assists in development of related policy; interprets and administers pertinent laws; provides input or evaluates staff; prepares or assists in preparation of budget; maintains contact with individuals both within and outside of agency who might impact on program and/or project activities; serves on committees and/or and task forces as required; speaks before professional and lay groups on subjects related to agency mission; performs related duties as required.  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable knowledge of relevant State and Federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of project management; considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of business and public administration with emphasis on effective organization, administration and management considerable ability to analyze organizational problems and determine effective solutions; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Nine (9) years of professional experience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must been in a consultative capacity with programmatic and administrative or project management responsibilities in the specific area of assignment. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.

2. A Master's degree in business administration, public administration or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

3. Department of Labor: Two (2) years of experience as an Apprenticeship and Training Program Manager may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.    

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience implementing or overseeing economic and community development programs.
  • Experience with public administrative or legislative processes including working with state or public legislators and government agencies.
  • Knowledge of the Connecticut state economic landscape.
  • Experience building and managing a team.
  • Experience collaborating with multiple stakeholders to develop new initiatives or projects.
  • Knowledge of the real estate development process.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.