This position assists the Community & Economic Development Director in all activities focused on enhancing Faribault’s economic vitality and housing opportunities. This position is responsible for developing and implementing economic development programs for the City with the goal of proactive business retention and attraction, quality job growth, tax base expansion, and marketing, as well as managing housing and redevelopment programs. This position requires frequent public contact with businesses, developers and real estate brokers, and other local and regional economic development partners.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION
Under the direction of the Community & Economic Development Director, this position:
 

• Provides direct support to the Community & Economic Development Director.
• Conducts/manages special projects requiring research, analysis, organization, documentation, and coordination as assigned.
• Develops recommendations and implements strategies, policies, and programs supporting the City’s vision and economic development and housing goals.
• Researches potential grants and develops a grant submission strategy and timeline.
• Serves as a staff liaison to the Faribault Economic Development Authority (EDA) and the Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA):
  • Prepares meeting agenda and all necessary background materials for EDA and HRA meetings.
  • Prepares staff reports and necessary background materials for City Council meetings.
  • Assists with the EDA and HRA work plan, project prioritization, and budget.
• Responsible for the planning and coordination of daily activities related to economic development including housing.
• Coordinates and works cooperatively with various economic development and housing partners, including regional government organizations, community groups, and State and Federal agencies; attends public meetings and presents information on regional economic development issues.
• Manages other HRA duties as assigned
• Responds to inquiries from prospective businesses and developers in matters relating to economic development projects; provides information and recommendations within scope of authority – including helping interested parties understand the City’s requirements and processes.
• Reviews and evaluates Requests for Proposals, applications, technical documents and reports

for compliance with City standards and regulatory requirements.

• Monitors and manages local, regional, and State economic development programs and projects.
• Researches, coordinates and prepares local, regional and State requests for financial Assistance.
• Researches and assists in the creation of strategies, goals, and initiatives for economic development and redevelopment programs and services.
• Assists local businesses with retention and expansion opportunities by providing planning and/or financial assistance, responding to requests and inquiries, and coordinating applications and processes.
• Prepares and reviews statistical and analytical reports of program activities, operations and procedures; gathers and compiles data for reports.
• Provides residential rental property management and services as assigned, which would include preparing and monitoring fiscal policies and annual budgets for the housing programs.
• Works with developers, financial institutions, bond counsels, consultants, architects, city departments, and others to facilitate economic development and redevelopment projects.
• Represents the City on different task forces, committees, etc., including Hiawathaland Transit, and participates in meetings with economic development partners, local and regional government officials and community groups as directed.
• Monitors legislative initiatives related to community and economic development activities.
• Maintains and updates the City’s available land inventory, ensuring information is complete, accurate, and readily available to interested parties.
• Conducts regular reviews of the City’s economic development webpages, making recommendations on contents and ensuring that information is timely, accurate, and accessible.
• Performs other housing-related duties as assigned.

 
ORGANIZATIONAL

• Supports Community & Economic Development Department and the city as a whole on issues related to Community Vision 2040, economic development, redevelopment, and other community projects.
• Maintains a high level of confidentiality and comply with all legal requirements of the job.
• Adheres to all city and department policies and procedures and requirements.
• Other duties as assigned or apparent.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Urban/Regional Planning, Business, Economics, Community Development, or a related field, with a minimum of three (3) years of economic development or community development related experience required. Economic development related experience shall include, but is not limited to, municipal economic development, commercial lending, commercial or industrial real estate development, business management, business assistance, public or private finance, or workforce development.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Working knowledge of the principles and practices of community development, economic development, redevelopment and public finance;
• Working knowledge of federal and state housing rules and regulations
• Ability to accurately record and maintain records;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the business community members, employees, supervisors, other departments, officials and the public;
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing;
• Proficiency in use of identified computer software.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILTIES
Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or synthesis functions. Ability to deal with several concrete and abstract variables, and to analyze major problems that require complex planning for interrelated activities that can span one or several work units.

Requires the ability to exercise the judgement, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the direction, control and planning of an entire program or set of programs.
 
Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform mathematical operations with fractions; may include ability to compute discount, interest, profit and loss, ratio and proportion; may include ability to calculate surface areas, volumes, weights and measures.

Requires the ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data and/or information using established criteria. Includes exercise of discretion in determining actual or probable consequences, and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.
 
Requires the ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence.
 
Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, advisory and/or design data and information such as ordinances, statutes, development plans, and policies.
WORKING HOURS:
Normal business/office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Position will require flexibility in future scheduling to include any hours at the employers’ discretion for appropriate coverage and efficiency. Evening and weekend meetings as necessary. Timely reporting to work with a minimum number of absences.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:
Tools and equipment used in a Community Development environment including, but not limited to: computers, Microsoft Office, Laserfiche, Granicus software systems, typewriters, faxes, copiers, phones, and calculators.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of office equipment, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions. Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in light to sedentary work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, shapes, sounds, odors and textures associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTABILITY:
Normal office environment. Tasks are performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
This job 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.
 
The City of Faribault is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.