City of Somerville Seeks New CPA Manager

Statement of Duties

The employee manages the Community Preservation Act (CPA) program, including staffing the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), coordinating the competitive application process for granting CPA funds, managing the CPA budget and all CPA grants, and managing special projects related to the CPA. Employee oversees historic preservation work related to CPA in conjunction with the Planning and Zoning Division such as preparing historic preservation restrictions and coordinating the Local Historic District Small Grants Program. Employee is required to perform all similar or related duties.

Essential Functions

• Schedules, prepares content for, and participates in meetings of the CPC, adhering to Open Meeting Law requirements regarding meeting notice and minutes.
• Manages the CPA budget and all CPA-related financial matters.
• Monitors all CPA grants, including processing grant agreements, processing invoices and grant report forms, verifying reported work is completed on time and appropriately, and liaising with grantees.
• Coordinates the competitive application process for granting CPA funds, including writing the Community Preservation Plan and application packet (with CPC input and approval), reviewing applications for completeness, and liaising with applicants.
• Coordinates submittal of City projects for CPA funds.
• Prepares conservation restrictions and preservation restrictions for CPA projects as required by the Community Preservation Committee and the Community Preservation Act.
• Monitors compliance of historic resources projects with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards in conjunction with the Planning and Zoning Division.
• Serves as the CPC liaison to the public, including organizing several public meeting each year, engaging the public through other mechanisms, managing the CPA website, and coordinating with the Communications Department around press releases and media relations.
• Serve as the CPC liaison to the Somerville Affordable Housing Trust, the housing arm of the CPC.
• Serves as the CPC liaison to the City Council, submitting information and presenting to the Council as necessary.
• Coordinates the Local Historic District Small Grants Program, funded through the CPA, in conjunction with the Planning and Zoning Division.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree and five (5) years’ experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Master’s degree in Public Policy/Administration, Urban Planning, Historic Preservation, or related field preferred.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill:

Knowledge: Working knowledge of public policy/administration, historic preservation regulation and practices, and urban planning. Working knowledge of effective and efficient grant management. Working knowledge of accounting and budgeting

Abilities: Ability to establish and maintain effective and harmonious working relationships with diverse stakeholders. Ability to engage and productively interact with members of the public. Ability to work independently and establish and adhere to own strategic and efficient work plan. Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently, prioritize, and balance short- and long-term responsibilities. Ability to learn new concepts quickly. Able to apply strategic, analytical, and creative thinking. Ability to effectively and efficiently problem solve. Self-motivated and organized.

Skills: Proficient in operating personal computers and applicable word processing and spreadsheet applications. Accounting and budgeting skills. Preparation of conservation and historic preservation restrictions. Must have excellent record keeping skills. Excellent written and oral communication, facilitation, and public speaking skills.

Work Environment: The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements.  Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant.  Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours in response to attend evening meetings or complete work assignments.