CITY OF LARGO, FLORIDA
The City of Largo is a residential community located in Pinellas County, on the west coast of Florida. Largo is the fourth largest community in the Tampa Bay region, behind Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater. Largo covers approximately 17 square miles, including 640 acres of public parks.
The City’s central location provides easy access to many cultural and recreational activities including theatres, museums, professional sporting events, and outdoor festivals and activities. Largo residents are only a short drive from beautiful Gulf Coast beaches, internationally-acclaimed museums, world-class cultural facilities, and professional sporting venues for the NFL, NHL, and Major League Baseball.
Florida’s tropical weather allows people to enjoy outdoor activities year-round. A variety of dining and shopping opportunities can be found throughout the area. Several universities and colleges are located nearby, including the University of South Florida, the University of Tampa, Eckerd College, St. Leo College, St. Petersburg College, and Stetson University College of Law.
The City has experienced significant growth in population over the past 40 years. In 1960, the population was 5,300; by 1970 it had increased to 22,000, partially as a result of a vigorous annexation program. The decades of the ’70s and ’80s saw a steady and substantial increase in Largo’s population. By 1980, the City’s population was 59,000, which made Largo the 14th largest city in Florida. In 1990, Largo’s population reached 66,000 and its current population is 74,000. During the past three years, the City’s renewed annexation efforts have been very successful in making people aware of the value City residency provides.
Largo residents enjoy affordable housing, low property taxes, and one of the lowest crime rates in Florida. It is a community defined by a family-friendly atmosphere, tree-lined streets, and award-winning parks. Residents of Largo receive the highest level of customer service from their city government in one of the most dynamic, livable areas of the country. In short, Largo is a City of Progress.
Over the past 10 years, the City has developed such landmark projects as Largo Central Park and the Largo Cultural Center. Downtown redevelopment is currently underway, and plans are in place to open a new, 93,000 square-foot library in 2005. From the days of its pioneer roots to today, Largo remains a City of Progress.
The City has a Commission-Manager form of government. The legislative body consists of a Mayor and six Commissioners. The City Manager is responsible for the implementation of Commission policy through administration of the organization. The current City Manager has a tenure of 14 years.
The City has more than 850 employees in ten departments that provide a variety of services, including fire rescue, police, drainage, streets, sewer, solid waste, recreation, parks, and library. Many services are provided to residents in unincorporated areas beyond the City’s current boundaries. The City has a current operating budget of approximately $110 million.
The City of Largo is a high-performance organization. The culture of the organization encourages and rewards professionalism, creativity, accountability, mission orientation, high energy, and team orientation.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
The Assistant Director of Community Development reports to the Department Director who, in turn, reports to the City Manager. The Community Development Department has four divisions – Building, Planning, Housing, and Engineering – and has 46 employees. The Assistant Director has day-to-day oversight of two divisions (Building and Planning), with a total of 26 employees. These divisions encompass Code Compliance and Planning and Development Services.
Responsibilities of the Assistant Director include maintenance of the Comprehensive Plan, supervision of Department employees, coordinating activities of various boards and working with the City Commission, coordinating implementation of the City’s Strategic Plan, interfacing with citizens’ groups, interfacing with external agencies, and coordination of the Department budget and CIP projects. The Assistant Director will act as the Department leader in the Director’s absence.
The Community Development Department was reorganized within the past six months, adding engineering services into the Department. It is anticipated that the new Assistant Director will have strong planning skills and experience.
The Community Development Department has nine major goals in its FY 2004 Department Performance Goals and Objectives. These include:
· implementing the City’s Visioning and Strategic Plan;
· reevaluating the City’s economic development program;
· enhancing the City’s economic base;
· CRA districts improvements;
· facilitating work along the CRD corridors;
· improving customer service, outreach, and efficiency;
· improving residential neighborhood environment;
· fostering partnerships with external agencies; and
· designing, constructing, and completing major capital projects on schedule and within budget.
Education ¨ The ideal candidate will have a Master’s Degree in Planning, Urban Planning, City/Regional Planning, or a closely related field. The successful candidate will have at least a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Planning or a closely related field. AICP certification is preferred.
Work Experience ¨ Ideally, the candidate will have at least six year’s experience in municipal government as a planner. Prefer experience in a community of 30,000 to 150,000 population. Florida experience is a plus, but not essential.
Knowledge and experience related to economic and business development
Knowledge and experience with strategic planning
Knowledge and experience with redevelopment initiatives, primarily focused on the Downtown area
Familiarity with the Southern Building Codes
Ability to develop creative planning solutions to complex planning and/or municipal issues
Skills in preparing technical reports
Ability to establish a team environment among employees
Excellent written and oral communication skills
High level of mission orientation
Ability to convey information convincingly
High level of energy and enthusiasm for accomplishing organizational goals
High sense of accountability
A strong focus on excellent customer service
Ability to maintain the trust of the Commission, the community and staff
Experience and skills in budgeting and financial oversight
Ability to interact effectively with other governmental agencies
The salary range for the position is $52,936 to $79,394. The starting salary range will be between $68,000 and $77,000, depending on qualifications. This position qualifies for the operational management cafeteria plan for fringe benefits, which are generous.
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and salary history for initial screening by December 15, 2003 to: Tom D. Freijo, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, The Mercer Group, Inc., tdf_wh@hotmail.com P.O. Box 9328, Winter Haven, Florida 33883. TEL: (863) 299-3571 FAX: (863) 299-6737.
The City of Largo is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Applicants should be aware that applications in Florida become a matter of public record upon receipt.