Economic Development Specialist
This position provides multi-disciplinary solutions for economic and community development projects. Responsibilities include selling, managing, and maintaining all City-related property parcels in the industrial and business parks, redevelopment districts, and any other City or RDA-owned parcels as needed. This position also provides real estate and financial assistance for City economic development projects and prospects. This position assists in managing City-related contacts, reviews, approvals, and inspections to ensure the project stays on time and on budget. This position assists with inter-departmental coordination for projects.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Property Management (50%)
• Marketing: Prepare an annual marketing plan for City-owned property including developing prospects, qualifying prospects, utilizing social media, creating and maintaining website, advertising, attending trade show exhibitions, conventions, prospect visits, and company visits to City, and contacting site selection consultants. Assist in preparing locally-generated prospect proposals and responses to Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation, WEDC, and New North prospect proposals.
• Property Sales: Perform marketing, pricing, prospecting, negotiations, agreements, sales, and closings for Industrial and Business Park land sales, the Redevelopment Authority, and other City-owned land as needed.
• Property Maintenance: Manage City industrial and business parks and other RDA and City-owned properties as needed including securing buildings, coordinating interior and exterior maintenance, and tenant management.
• Property Acquisition: Acquire property in compliance with statutes and regulations including preparing and presenting purchase offers, negotiating purchases, coordinating due diligence items, and performing related duties.
Project Coordination (30%)
• Guide owners, designers, contractors, City staff, and other necessary parties throughout development projects to ensure project is on track and is in compliance with city codes.
• Ensure progress on projects by continually checking in with owner, designers, contractors, and sub-contractors regarding the status of projects in the design stage and construction stage until final occupancy.
Funding (10%)
• Work with City staff on grant administration, including CDBG, EDA, and other federal grants, state grants through the WDNR, DOT, and WEDC, as well as private grants.
• Assist in financial packaging for economic development prospects and projects, such as providing financial analysis, business consulting, application assistance, program administration, and grant writing for:
• State and Federal Tax Credit Programs
• Economic and Community Development Grant applications
• Tax Increment Finance – assist with project plans, developer assistance, and administration
• Redevelopment projects – housing, mixed use funding through loans, grants, and private sources
Administrative and Professional Support (10%)
• Provide administrative and professional staff support for economic development and community development committees as needed. Coordinate meetings, reviews, or responses with City staff and applicants.
• Research data for request for reports, proposals, city projects, private developers, and projects. Utilizes GIS to create maps and data visualizations.
• Compile and present information on local, state, and national trends in real estate, business climate, business finance, tax policy, and labor market trends.
Perform Other Duties as Assigned
REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Planning, Engineering, Architecture, Public Administration, Economics, or other related studies and programs.
• Three (3) to five (5) years of experience performing responsible and varied professional economic development, planning, public administration, real estate, marketing, and/or finance work.
Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Ability to serve as an expediter and liaison between public agencies and private businesses, developers, and/or contractors.
• Knowledge of the economic development process, project management, scheduling, and monitoring.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships by communicating, verbally and in writing, with City employees, contractors, developers, and the general public.
• Ability to help interpret and apply codes, to include building codes, zoning codes, storm-water codes, health codes, and fire codes.
• Knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of applicable marketing, economic development, and finance principles and practices.
• Ability to work independently and make decisions, work with confidential information, and coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations related to relocation, acquisition, and disposition of properties, real estate sales and financing procedures, the City’s real estate market, and City building and housing codes.
• Ability to plan, organize, and implement marketing programs.
• Considerable skill in communicating effectively, verbally and in writing, with business representatives, elected officials, department heads, the general public, and other City employees.
• Knowledge of grant writing and grant administration.
• Ability to prepare and present persuasive written and oral reports and recommendations.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups.
In evaluating candidates for this position, the City may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential duties of the position.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
All equipment an Economic Development Specialist would use, such as personal computer, printer, telephone, fax machine, calculator, copy machine, and various software including Microsoft Office Suite and any other software for the effective operation of this position.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described in this position description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk, use hands to finger/handle objects or operate tools or controls, and reach with hands or arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required of this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described in this position description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
The noise level in the work environment is moderately quiet.
SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interviews, references checks, and job related tests may be required.
The duties listed in this position description are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
The position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.