Economic Development Specialist

Our Community Development Department is searching for an Economic Development Specialist to join the team.

This is a professional position responsible for conducting and administering planning, economic development, and redevelopment programs and projects.

The work involves managing the City's industrial parks, identifying, coordinating and planning redevelopment projects, managing land acquisition and business relocation, updating comprehensive plans and preparing related records and reports.

Work is performed under the general supervision of the Deputy Director of Community Development.

The incumbent will perform the duties of liaison between neighborhood residents, business owners, multiple City departments, non-profit organizations and the private sector.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS * Manages and promotes City's Business/Industrial Parks and redevelopment sites, including land acquisition, land sales, establishing policies, working with prospective buyers, tracking contracts, enforcing deed restrictions, calculating land prices, planning expansions, coordinating park maintenance, utility, road and infrastructure improvements.

* Manages industrial and redevelopment projects, facilitating communication, enforcing covenants, explaining processes, and assisting to completion.

* Assists the Director/Deputy Director, and where assigned, represents the City in negotiations with prospective developers and commercial/industrial businesses.

Monitor and manage purchase and development agreements post-approval for compliance coordinated with the Finance and Legal Services Departments where required.

* Researches, develops, implements, and promotes ongoing economic development and redevelopment strategies.

Advises Director and Deputy Director on policy matters related to economic development and redevelopment.

* Manages the City's business/industry retention, expansion and attraction program.

* Prepares and submits project plans, analyses, and required forms to create/dissolve Tax Incremental Districts (TID). Implements TID project plans and continually updates and monitors the status and performance of TIDs.

Completes required projects, records, and reports related to TIDs.

* Collaborates with Department of Public Works on capital projects budgeting, scheduling and analysis as it relates to economic development/redevelopment projects.

* Prepares a variety of reports and conducts special plans and studies, such as redevelopment plans, redevelopment project acquisition costs, cost benefit studies, economic development reports, and CIP projections.

* Manages/oversees consultants and contractors carrying out development and economic development projects and initiatives.

* Develops and implements sales, marketing and communication strategies related to business development and redevelopment.

* Participates in local, regional, and/or state organizations related to business, economic development, real estate and business finance resources.

* Creates and implements economic development grant programs for the City.

* Maintains regular punctual and predictable attendance, works overtime and extra hours as required.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS * Maintains land sales records.

* Updates industrial park statistics and maps in coordination with GIS staff.

* Assists the City's Housing Coordinator in promoting the City Rehabilitation Programs.

* Identify, research, secure, and administer external sources of funding for economic development/redevelopment projects, including state, federal, and foundation grants and/or alternative funding sources.

* Co-manage the City's Neighborhoods Program.

* Work with and assist the City's Community Development Specialist in CDBG/HUD related items and activities as a means of staying current on Federal accountability and monitoring standards.

* Acts as economic development lead person in the absence of the Director and/or Deputy Director.

* Other duties as assigned.

Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Economic Development, Economics, Business Administration, Public Policy/Administration, Real Estate, or related field, three to five years urban planning with economic development experience, or equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the following knowledge, abilities, and skills: * Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of urban planning, industrial development, brownfields, redevelopment, and commercial revitalization.

* Considerable knowledge of area and regional economic and industrial development trends, principles, and practices.

* Knowledge of the laws and City ordinances and policies related to planning and development.

* Ability to perform technical review of site plans and financial analysis of project plans and pro formas.

* Ability to supervise the work of others and manage a variety of projects and programs.

* Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with personnel at various levels both within and outside the organization.

* Ability to compile and analyze data and prepare reports.

* Ability to maintain confidentiality.

* Ability to prepare spreadsheets for presentation and/or analysis.

* Possess and maintain a valid Wisconsin driver's license.

COMPETENCIES Communication Self-directed/Autonomous/Accountable Problem Solving Technical/Professional/Strategic Skills Creative/Innovative To learn more about these competencies click