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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4. Review of Draft Job Description for Economic Development Specialist e.\9.~, l\/ CITY OF SHAKO PEE MEMORANDUM TO: Economic Development Authority \ Mark McNeill, Executive Director FROM: Kris Wilson, Assistant City Administrator R. Michael Leek, Community Development Director DATE: July 28, 2006 SUBJECT: Review and Recommendation of Job Description for Economic Development Specialist INTRODUCTION The EDA is asked to review the attachedjob description for the position of Economic Development Specialist and make a recommendation to the City Council. BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION At its July 5 meeting, the EDA discussed how to staffthe City's economic development activities now that this is no longer a part of the Assistant to the City Administrator's job duties. The direction provided by the EDA at that time was that it wished to return to a full-time staff position for economic development. Staffhas reviewed the City's current needs, the job description that existed when Shakopee last had a full-time economic development staffperson and the job descriptions of several other cities with similar positions to arrive at the attached job description for an Economic Development Specialist. The Economic Development Specialist will be part of the Community Development Department and will report to the Community Development Director. BUDGET IMPACT The attached job description was submitted to the City's pay plan consultant and we are awaiting his recommendation for a salary grade. His recommendation will be available in time for the meeting Wednesday night. The salary and benefits cost of this position will be funded through the EDA budget. REQUESTED ACTION The EDA is asked to recommend the attached job description, with or without modifications, to the City Council for their approval. DRAFT Job Description Job Title: Economic Development Specialist Grade: Department: Community Development Location: City Hall Reports To: Community Development Director FLSA Status: Exempt Prepared By: R. Michael Leek, Community Development Director Prepared Date: 07/25/2006 Approved By: Approved Date: Salary Range: Hiring Range: POSITION SUMMARY Under the direction oftheCommunity Development Director, and general guidance of the Executive Director of the Economic Development Authority, the Economic Development Specialist is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining economic development programs that have as their focus.the following: 0 Retention of existing businesses; 0 Aiding the expansion of existing businesses; 0 Attracting new businesses that enhance the availability of living wage jobs in the community, and enhance the City's tax base. Related duties include providing staff support to the City's Economic Development Authority (EDA) and Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC), and serving as a liaison to the Shakopee Chamber of Commerce and such other boards and commissions as may be appropriate. The position is also responsible for the administration of local loan programs and state or federal grants for economic development. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. 1. Develop strategies, policies, and programs that support the implementation of the City's adopted economic development goals and objectives. 2. Develop and maintain positive relationships with other city staff, members of city commissions and committees, business owners, property owners, developers, real estate brokers, lending institutions and similar or related organizations. 3. Act as the primary staff contact for business inquiries, maintain a log of inquiries, and provide follow-up assistance as required. 4. Provide assistance to businesses seeking to stay or expand in Shakopee, or wishing to relocate to Shakopee. 5. Prepare agendas and reports for, attend and act as liaison to the City's EDA, EDAC, and attend Shakopee Chamber of Commerce meetings as required. 6. Develop and update the City's information related to taxes, utility costs, market characteristics, demographics, vacantland availability, etc. DRAFT 7. Assists/directs consultants retained by the City to analyze Economic Development projects and makes recommendations to the Community Development Director regarding City ordinances and policies affecting economic development. 8. Prepares attractive financing packages utilizing block grant funds, tax increment financing, Department of Trade and Economic Development programs and other public and private financing techniques. 9. Performs other such duties as are consistent with the tasks ofthe position and as may be assigned by the City. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES . Understanding of commonly utilized economic development tools and programs (tax increment financing, tax abatement, state workforce training programs, etc.) . Working experience with MS Office 2000/2003;, and Microsoft Windows/2000 Server and NP Workstation; . Good organizational and planning skills; . Ability to work independently and in teams; . Ability to work well with end users of City technologies and applications; . Ability to prioritized and work on multiple projects; . Ability to learn new applications and technologies; . Ability to communicate effectively and clearly in both oral and written form; QUALIFICATIONS: . Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, finance, economic development, marketing, or closely related field; . At least two years related experience; . Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office products, including Excel and Access; DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: Master's degree in economic development, marketing, finance or closely related field. OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES Broad understanding of the role, functions, and responsibilities of city government. Ability to work effectively with a variety of people. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions ofthis job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. DRAFT WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative ofthose an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment is a generally quiet office setting, although site or field visits may occasionally be required. ,f E1>1- it-* ~' CITY OF SHAKO PEE MEMORANDUM TO: Economic Development Authority Mark McNeill, Executive Director FROM: Kris Wilson, Assistant City Administrator R. Michael Leek, Community Development Director DATE: July 28, 2006 SUBJECT: Review and Recommendation of Job Description for Economic Development Specialist INTRODUCTION The EDA is asked to review the attached job description for the position of Economic Development Specialist and make a recommendation to the City Council. BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION At its July 5 meeting, the EDA discussed how to staff the City's economic development activities now that this is no longer a part ofthe Assistant to the City Administrator's job duties.. The direction provided by the EDA at that time was that it wished to return to a full-time staff position for economic development. Staffhas reviewed the City's current needs, the job description that existed when Shakopee last had a full-time economic development staff person and the job descriptions of several other cities with similar positions to arrive at the attached job description for an Economic Development Specialist. The Economic Development Specialist will be part of the Community Development Department and will report to the Community Development Director. BUDGET IMPACT The attachedjob description was submitted to the City's pay plan consultant and ';..e are U'vYlliting his recommendation for a salary grade. His recommendation ",..ill be available in time for the Council mooting \ll cdnosday night. and he has recommended that this positionbe placed in Grade 7 of the City's 2006 Pay Plan. which has a salary range of $48.610 to $60.818. The salary and benefits cost ofthis position will be funded through the EDA budget. REQUESTED ACTION The EDA is asked to recommend the attached job description, with or without modifications, to the City Council for their approval. ., . DRAFT Job Description Job Title: Economic Development Specialist Grade: 7 Department: Community Development Location: City Hall Reports To: Community Development Director FLSA Status: Exempt Prepared By: R. Michael Leek, Community Development Director Prepared Date: 07/25/2006 Approved By: City Council Approved Date: Salary Range: $48,610 to $60,8l8 Hiring Range: POSITION SUMMARY Under the direction of the Community Development Director, and general guidance of the Executive Director ofthe Economic Development Authority, the Economic Development Specialist is responsible for developing, implementing, and maIntaining economic development programs that have as their focus the following: 0 Retention of existing businesses; 0 Aiding the expansion of existing businesses; 0 Attracting new businesses that enhance .the availability ofliving wage jobs in the community, and . enhance the City's tax base. Related duties include providing staff support to the City's Economic Development Authority (ED A) and Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC), and serving as a liaison to the Shakopee Chamber of Commerce and such other boards and commissions as may be appropriate. The position is also responsible for the administrationoflocalloan programs and state or federal grants for economic development. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. 1. Develop strategies, policies, and programs that support the implementation of the City's adopted economic development goals and objectives. 2. Develop and maintain positive relationships with other city staff, members of city commissions and committees, business owners, property owners, developers, real estate brokers, lending institutions and similar or related organizations. 3. Act as the primary staff contact for business inquiries, maintain a log of inquiries, and provide follow-up assistance as required. 4. Provide assistance to businesses seeking to stay or expand in Shakopee, or wishing to relocate to Shakopee. 5. Prepare agendas and reports for, attend and act as liaison to the City's EDA, EDAC, and attend Shakopee Chamber of Commerce meetings as required. 6. Develop and update the City's information related to taxes, utility costs, market characteristics, demographics, vacant land availability, etc. , . DRAFT 7. Assists/directs consultants retained by the City to analyze Economic Development projects and makes recommendations to the Community Development Director regarding City ordinances and policies affecting economic development. 8. Prepares attractive financing packages utilizing block grant funds, tax increment financing, Department of Trade and Economic Development programs and other public and private financing techniques. 9. Performs other such duties as are consistent with the. tasks of the position and as may be assigned by the City. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES . Understanding of commonly utilized economic development tools and programs (tax increment financing, tax abatement, state workforce training programs, etc.) . Working experience with MS Office 2000/2003;, and Microsoft Windows/2000 Server and NP Workstation; . Good organizational and planning skills; . Ability to work independently and in teams; . Ability to work well with end users of City technologies and applications; . Ability to prioritized and work on multiple projects; . Ability. to learn new applications and technologies; . Ability to communicate effectively and clearly in both oral and written form; QUALIFICATIONS: . Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, finance, economic development, marketing, or closely related field; . At least two years related experience; . Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office products, including Excel and Access; DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: Master's degree in economic development, marketing, finance or closely related field. OTHER SKILLS ANI> ABILITIES Broad understanding of the role, functions, and responsibilities .of city government. Ability to work effectively with a variety of people. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Vhile performing the duties of this. job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee requently is required to walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with ands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The mployee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job nc1ude close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust ocus. . . DRAFT WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions ofthis job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment isa generally quiet office setting, although site or field visits may occasionally be required.