After an extensive search, Jahd Burns was hired as Bethel Park’s assistant municipal manager, starting his job in November.
“Jahd brings a wealth of experience in strategic planning and program evaluation that will be of great help to enhance the services that we provide to our residents,” municipal manager Kristen Denne said.
Burns looks forward to putting his background to use in his new role.
“In my previous position as a consultant, I often didn’t get to see the full outcome of a project; however, now, I’ll be able to see firsthand the full implementation of projects and the impact that they have on the community,” he said. “I like that working in local government, we have the opportunity to dive into any issues or barriers and address them to better serve our residents.”
Most recently, Burns worked as an associate project manager for planning consultant E. Holdings Inc. Prior to that, he was at the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh as a housing administration and community outreach coordinator, and at Maximus Inc. as an outreach supervisor.
“I had the opportunity to manage large budgets, oversee wide-ranging projects, and manage and train large groups of staff. I also had the ability to work on contract management, budget reporting, grant writing, and strategic planning,” he said.
While familiar with Bethel Park, he looks forward to getting to know the community on a more personal level.
“It’s been cool to see how each part of the community connects with one another,” Burns said. “And there are so many hidden gems here in Bethel Park. I’m extremely impressed with the facilities available, such as the community center and library, as well as the public works department and wastewater treatment plant. The municipal parks are also outstanding … really nice areas. I can see a lot of opportunities within our various municipal departments and public spaces.”
Burns is focused on assisting Denne with her duties and tying in Blueprint Bethel Park, the municipal comprehensive plan, to Bethel Park’s strategic plan.
“I’d like to make sure that our actions are aligned with community goals and have measurable outputs. I’m also looking into where there are opportunities for improved collaboration and connections, both internally and with local organizations. I want to work with our partners and engage with the community,” said Burns. “It’s important to connect our comprehensive and strategic plans and find opportunities to connect services across departments, as well as identify any gaps and potential solutions.”
He is managing staff and serving on various committees as his role evolves. Over the coming year, he plans to have a full grasp of everything within Bethel Park and all its partner organizations.
“I’ve been really enjoying my new role and feel like there are a lot of interesting things happening in Bethel Park. I’m excited to be a part of it and using my experience to help move initiatives along,” said Burns.
Bethel Park Council members are happy to have Burns join the municipality.
“We’re very glad to have Jahd begin work with us. He comes highly qualified, is a hard worker and very pleasant to work with,” said John Oakes, council president. “He’ll be a strong support to our municipal manager. We can’t wait to see the different opportunities he brings to the table.”
Burns has a bachelor of science in business administration from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania and a master of international development from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, with a major in urban affairs and planning.
A native of North Central Pennsylvania, Burns lives in the Brookline neighborhood of Pittsburgh. He enjoys hiking, traveling to new places, experiencing new cultures, and spending time with family and friends.