Kenosha is the fourth largest city in Wisconsin with more than 100,000 residents. We are actively transforming from a legacy of auto manufacturing to a diverse economy driven by advanced manufacturing, logistics, and a focus on innovation across all business sectors. The department of City Development is at the heart of driving this change!

 Some of our projects include: Development of infrastructure, a new STEM High School, and an Innovation Center at Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood; Downtown development in our Harbor area with hundreds of apartments, office, retail, restaurant and community space; and Uptown Lofts with affordable apartments, a new grocery store, restaurant and Children's Library to service the community.

The Community Development Specialist will have an opportunity to play a lead role in planning and implementing development and redevelopment projects utilizing a range of tools including Tax Incremental Financing (TIF), Redevelopment plans, property acquisitions and assemblage, and development of public/private partnerships to drive new development.

• Implement redevelopment & TID activities in conjunction with City Administration
• Staff support to Redevelopment Authority in conjunction with the Director of City Development
• Administer acquisition of blighted property for Redevelopment Authority and City
• Administer razing of blighted property for Redevelopment Authority and City
• Create redevelopment project areas
• Assist in creation of Tax Incremental Finance districts
• Project management of infill development projects

• (NOTE: The duties listed above are intended as illustrations of the various types of work performed by persons in positions covered by this classification specification. This list is not all inclusive. The omission of a particular job duty does not mean that the duty is not one of the essential functions of the position. Management reserves the right to assign employees in this classification to duties not listed above, if the duties are fairly within the scope of responsibilities applicable to the level of work performed by employees in positions covered by this classification/specification. This classification specification does not create an employment contract between the City and the employee and is subject to change by the City as the needs of the City and the department change over time.)

Required Education, Training and Experience:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, Planning, Public Administration, Finance, Real Estate or related field
• Five years of related work experience in the above mentioned fields
• Preference for experience in both public and private sector real estate development. Examples of preferred public sector experience: planning, inspection, infrastructure design, supervisor experience of multi-disciplinary committee.
• Examples of preferred private sector experience: land development, construction, real estate brokerage, property management, project management

Required Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

• Knowledge of the laws, ordinances and codes related to land use plans and redevelopment regulations
• Knowledge of laws and processes regarding tax incremental districts
• Ability to prepare and present oral and written reports based on research and special studies
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

• Physical Requirements:
• Task involves frequent walking; standing; some lifting and carrying objects of moderate weight (12-20 pounds); and/or the operation of vehicles, office, keyboard, or hand tools in which manipulative skills and hand-eye coordination are important ingredients of safe and/or productive operations. 

Environmental Requirements:

• Task may require infrequent exposure to adverse environmental conditions

Sensory Requirements:

• Task requires color perception and discrimination
• Task requires sound perception and discrimination
• Task requires visual perception and discrimination

Other Requirements:

• Possession of a valid driver's license and a good driving record
• May be required to provide a personal vehicle for use on the job

Selection of qualified applicants will be based upon a rating of their training, experience and work record. The selection process may include written and/or oral examinations. Appointment will be made in accordance with City policy and the Civil Service Ordinance and Rules and Regulations. The City reserves the right to evaluate only those applicants who best met the needs of the city.