The qualified candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in economic development, urban planning, public administration and policy, community development or another related field. The successful candidate will have a minimum of three (3) years of progressive responsibilities and relevant experience is preferred.

Annual completion of Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act training is required.

Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) certificate is preferred but not required.

Personal & Professional Attributes

The qualified candidate will have a personal and professional style which includes the following traits:

• Be a good steward of all community partners’ resources, brands, and

Reputations.

• Passionate, high performing

• Self-starter with ability to work independently as well as with multiple team

members and leaders.

• High engagement skills; ability to understand and perform in high-profile,

sensitive, confidential, or controversial situations.

• Excellent writing and verbal skills, including strong public speaking skills.

• High-energy individual with sophisticated interpersonal skills

• Strong ability to manage projects effectively and meet multiple deadlines.

• Ability to adapt as the area develops and evolves.

• Group facilitation skills for presentations

• Excellent organizational skills and time management skills

• Effective listening and problem-solving skills; develop plans and follow-through.

• Collaborate with others to ensure success and achievement of objectives and goals.

Function & Responsibilities

The Regional Economic Analyst (REA) is responsible for collecting, maintaining and providing data. Providing data required by local government partners and EDOs who respond to site selectors and businesses looking to relocate and expand in Northern Illinois. The REA will serve as the subject matter expert for local and regional economic, demographic and site-readiness data that Northern Illinois local governments and EDOs need to successfully respond to business attraction and business retention proposals and requests for information.

Economic Competitiveness (EC) Analytics:

• Support local government and EDOs business attraction, expansion, and retention opportunities that spur new jobs, capital investment, and economic prosperity in the regional area represented.

• Build and maintain an economic-competitiveness database for the regional area represented that includes relevant economic, demographic and site-readiness data that local governments and EDOs need to successfully respond to business attraction, retention, and expansion requests for proposals/information.

• Possess a thorough understanding of proactive and reactive economic development and site selection processes and economic development incentives, programs, and financial resources.

• Review and analyze the impact of new legislation on local business development and revitalization efforts.

• Engage with local, county and regional economic development partners across the regional area to understand the tools that are necessary to enhance the region’s qualified sites and develop additional qualified sites.

• Follow regional development activity, including new development, real estate transactions, planned development, market trends, major property owners, main stakeholders, and other relevant economic development information about the regional area represented.

• Use geographic information systems (GIS) to analyze, produce reports, and visually display regional economic, demographic, and infrastructure data for partners.

Economic Data & Research:

• Gather, assemble and format data for analysis and visualization.

• Synthesize research into narrative for site selector and business requests for proposals/information and for grant applications, planning documents, and government reports.

• Prepare data visualizations such as graphs, charts, and other visual communication tools.

• Maintain a data-tracking system to assist with partner agency requests.

• Conducts research projects and data gathering, including developing scorecards and dashboards.

• Research, collect, compile, record, and summarize technical data.

General:

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with local units of government, community organizations, and other agencies.

• Attend meetings, events, and other engagements representing R1, including occasional evenings and weekends.

• Contribute to subject-matter-related grant narratives including, but not limited to, responses to federal and or state funding opportunities.

• Provide consistent and timely communication with all community partners.

• Provide timely, routine reports of satisfactory progress toward goals and objectives.

• Support all programs of the economic district.

• Maintains reasonable and predictable attendance.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Success Factors

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following:

• Knowledge of the theory, principles, and techniques of economic development, including regional economic development planning.

• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.

• Good understanding of statistics

• Strong interpersonal and public relations skills to work effectively with various clients, officials, staff, and citizens.

• Superior writing skills, including the editing, oversight, or preparation of technical reports.

• Proficiency in economic and demographic research skills, including extensive familiarity of data sources.

• Superior computer literacy and proficiency in MS Office Suite (especially Excel) and the ability to learn and implement new applications.

• Proficiency in data visualization programs.

• Ability to understand and perform in high-profile, sensitive, or controversial situations.

• Ability to solve problems, develop plans, and follow through, including prioritizing responsibilities and meeting deadlines.

• Work collaboratively with others to ensure the success and achievement of team members in the fulfillment of R1 and project or program priorities.

• Adapt as the organization develops and evolves.

• Maintain reasonable and predictable attendance.

• Maintain a professional office setting through cleanliness, organization, and demeanor.

• Meet productivity standards.

Working Conditions and Special Demands

Work is performed primarily in an office session, sitting at a desk and operating a personal computer. Work may require attending meetings and may involve travel throughout the region. Work may include occasional field inventory and data collection as needed.

Frequently

• Sit

• Use hands to finger, handle, or feel

• Reach with hands and arms

• Speak and hear

Occasionally

• Stand

• Walk

• Climb or balance

• Stoop, kneel, or crouch

• Lift up to 25 pounds

Necessary Special Requirements.

• Possession of a valid Illinois driver’s license

• Insured, personal vehicle for business use; business-related mileage reimbursement available

• Drug screening and background check

• Annual completion of Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act training

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Ability to Relocate:

• Rockford, IL: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person