Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development

POSITION: Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development

OPEN:  May 1, 2023

CLOSE: Open until filled

SALARY RANGE/GRADE:    Executive Service DX -  $153,350 to $231,471 

The incumbent in this position serves as the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED).  The Deputy Mayor for DMPED also oversees four District Agencies and eight independent agencies to ensure they are executing the Mayor’s vision in the areas of economic development, affordable housing, planning, financing, and arts and entertainment. 

As Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, the incumbent has the responsibility for ensuring the successful implementation of the following programs: 

• Real Estate Development – The goal of DMPED’s real estate development program is to implement real estate development projects that create vibrant and stable neighborhoods; rebuild retail corridors; and ensure that every District investment yields real benefits for residents and local businesses  DMPED manages a multi-billion-dollar real estate portfolio that includes over – properties encompassing over -- acres. Located across all eight of the District’s wards, DMPED’s properties and projects vary in size from small-scale neighborhood retail to multi-billion-dollar redevelopment projects. 
• Business Development and Strategy -The goal of this program is to attract and retain businesses of all sizes, create well-paying job opportunities for residents, strengthen the business climate, and expand the District’s tax base.. 
• Revenue Bond Program -The District of Columbia Revenue Bond Program provides below-market interest rate loans to private entities to help lower the cost of funds for capital projects. These bonds are used to finance a wide variety of projects that are important to the District’s welfare and employment base, including health facilities, housing, transit and utility facilities, recreational facilities, manufacturing, sports, convention and entertainment facilities, elementary, secondary, college, and university facilities, and industrial and commercial development. 
• Economic Development Cluster Agency Coordination - The DMPED is also responsible for coordinating and overseeing the work of a cluster of District government agencies that support housing, planning, and economic development activities. . These agencies include:

1. Department of Housing and Community Development 
2. Department of Small and Local Business Development 
3. Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment 
4. Office of Planning 

DMPED also provides strategic guidance and leadership to independent agencies to ensure coordination and synergy.  These agencies include:

1. Commission on the Arts and Humanities
2. DC Housing Authority
3. DC Housing Finance Agency 
4. Office of Zoning, Board of Zoning Adjustment, and Zoning Commission
5. Real Property Tax Appeals Commission
6. Rental Housing Commission 
7. Washington Sports and Convention Authority (Events DC)

The Deputy Mayor works under the direction of the Mayor of the District of Columbia and the City Administrator, who provide policy guidance and makes assignment in terms of general objectives and priorities in consultation with the incumbent. Within the broad policies and objectives, the incumbent functions with independence in accomplishing varied and complex assignments, recommending actions as determined appropriate based on the circumstances, experienced judgment, and an awareness of the Mayor's position, actions, desires, and needs. Advice and recommendations are generally accepted as sound and authoritative. Performance is evaluated on the basis of overall effectiveness in assisting the Mayor and City Administrator to achieve desired goals and objectives.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Deputy Mayor is responsible for the day-to-day administration and coordination of the program areas and the overall operations of the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.   Additionally, the Deputy Mayor is responsible for:

• Advising the Mayor and City Administrator on important policy and program decisions related to economic development and regulation and assisting the Mayor and City Administrator in formulating top-level decisions
• Successfully and innovatively implementing economic development and neighborhood revitalization activities throughout the District of Columbia
• Through day-to-day relationships with program and agency heads, increasing the overall effectiveness and efficiency of operations and services to ensure that all programs and activities are helping to efficiently and effectively achieve the Mayor's objectives.   
• Providing professional assistance and leadership to subordinate agency heads in order to develop staff and stimulate development and ensure implementation of agency programs.
• Assuring that appropriate priorities are established; projects and programs are progressing on schedule; needed coordination is accomplished; and day-to-day problems are resolved without the necessity for the involvement of the Mayor or City Administrator. 
• Coordinating, approving, and executing policy initiatives affecting agencies under the Deputy Mayor’s jurisdiction. 
• Keeping the Mayor and City Administrator advised of important issues related to the programs and agencies the Deputy Mayor oversees
• Helping resolve issues faced by agencies that the Deputy Mayor oversees.
• Making recommendations to the Mayor and City Administrator, as appropriate, on specific course of action to be taken after determining and examining the facts in each case, and developing solutions and/or alternate proposals.
• Coordinating activities of program and agencies overseen by the Deputy Mayor with federal agencies, private business concerns, regional governments, the Board of Trade, the Chamber of Commerce, citizen groups, inter-governmental commissions and boards, etc. to resolve problems; to discuss mutual interests; and to maintain good public relations. 
• As designated, representing the Mayor on committees and boards and before agencies, civic groups, commissions, and official bodies, taking action as deemed necessary to effectively represent the District of Columbia, and to promote its interest as it pertains to the incumbent's area of responsibility. 
• Recommending [KB(3] to the Mayor and City Administrator the modification, consolidation or elimination of existing functions and the establishment of new functions
• Serving as a member of the Mayor's Cabinet and as such, participating to a considerable degree in the most significant Cabinet determinations. 
• Performing other related duties as may be assigned by the Mayor or City Administrator in furtherance of the Mayor's mission as chief executive of the District of Columbia Government. 

REQUIRED BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE  

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, public administration, economics, political science, urban studies, or similar areas; plus a minimum of ten (10) years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience within functional areas, such as public administration, real estate development, financial management, business management, economics, and community development. 
• Mastery of the mission, objectives, strategies, and program goals of the Office of Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and agencies overseen by the DMPED. 
• Mastery of the principles, practices, and techniques of public administration. 
• Mastery of and skill in problem solving, negotiating strategies, and project management; and mastery of management skill and experience in planning, organizing, and directing work teams. 
• Mastery of a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods for the assessment and improvement of complex management processes and systems. 
• Extensive knowledge of real estate, business, and financial markets.
• Extensive knowledge of District and  federal business and financial regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Mastery of and experience in public relations. 
• Superior oral and written communication skills in order to clearly and concisely present complex information to high-level professionals; to inform and convince professional and public audiences, in group and one-on-one interactions, of the importance of specific and general goals, programs, policies and initiatives; and to clearly and effectively communicate information and decisions with all interested parties. 
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in devising and implementing rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; and to evaluate results and achievement of agency objectives and to redirect efforts and priorities as needed. 

DOMICILE REQUIREMENT:

There is a legal requirement that each new appointee to the Excepted and Executive Service either: (1) be domiciled in the District of Columbia at the time of appointment; or (2) establish District domicile within one hundred eighty (180) days of appointment.  The law also requires that Excepted and Executive Service employees maintain District domicile during the period of the appointment.  Failure to maintain District domicile during the period of the appointment will result in forfeiture of employment.

Endorsement and letters of support are neither required nor recommended.  For more information, please contact Steven Walker, Director, Mayor's Office of Talent and Appointments (MOTA) at 202-727-6101.