What are the responsibilities and job description for the Economic and Community Development Director position at St. Louis County, MN?
Kind of Work
The salary range reflected above is the normal hiring range for 2025. The full salary range, including longevity pay, is $114,629 - $157,061 per year.
Distinguishing Features of Work
Under the general direction of County Administration, plans, directs and controls the functions and services administered by the St. Louis County Economic and Community Development Department. The Director develops and administers a comprehensive program of County economic planning, to ensure the implementation of County policy, organizational effectiveness and fiscal accountability. The Director is responsible for identifying and implementing economic and community development initiatives intended to maximize the county’s tax base and long-term sustainable growth of the communities within the County; serves as an economic and community development liaison between the County and other municipalities, government agencies and private businesses; and coordinates the development of enterprise GIS Geospatial data and land information portals. The Director plans and oversees strategic and enterprise initiatives that streamline business operations including web services, a-government and innovative projects that strengthen internal and external partnerships. The Director also serves in the capacity of the acting Executive Director for the County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) as delegated by the County Board and County Administrator.
Staff Responsibility
Responsible for supervising Planning and Community Development Department and HRA staff involved in land records management, County economic development initiatives, community development, and housing. The Economic and Community Development Director directly supervises division managers and professional staff involved in the functional planning areas and serves in an advisory capacity to the Land and Minerals Department Director on tax-forfeited urban and commercial properties.
The Economic and Community Development Director is responsible for determining the Department and HRA staffing requirements while working within the approved budget.
Budget Responsibility
Responsible for managing a total annual operating department budget for the Economic and Community Development Department totaling approximately $2 million and an HRA operating budget of approximately $0.4 million, annual state and federal grants of approximately $3 million, and other programs and contracts as approved by the County Board.
The Department budget is developed on an annual basis, and ongoing expenditures and fees for services are monitored to track budget performance. The Economic and Community Development Director exercises judgment and discretion in managing the Department and HRA budgets under the direction of the County Administrator after approval by the County Board and HRA Board.
Selection Process
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Pass/Fail)
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, urban planning or a closely related field AND seven (7) years of full-time paid progressively responsible planning and research experience, three (3) years of which was supervising or assisting in the administration of a planning and/or researching government or government-related services program; OR graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in public administration, business administration, urban planning or a closely related field AND five (5) years of full-time paid progressively responsible planning and research experience, three (3) years of which was supervising or assisting in the administration of a government or government-related services program.
Tentative Recruitment & Screening Process Schedule
January - Applicant Screening will begin
Early February 2026 - Finalist Interviews
March 2026 - Begin Employment
Questions
For more information about the position and organization, please contact Jim Gottschald, Deputy County Administrator - Human Resources, Administration and Governance, at 218-725-5066 or gottschaldj@stlouiscountymn.gov
For questions regarding the application process, please contact recruitment, at 218-726-2422 or recruitment@stlouiscountymn.gov
Essential Functions
The essential functions for this position are listed under the "ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK" on the specification, available in the Human Resources Department or online at www.stlouiscountymn.gov/jobdescriptions.
Veterans Preference
If you are eligible to apply for Veterans Preference, please attach to your application a copy of document(s) listed for the option that applies to you:
Physical-medical Standards
Qualified applicants must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Applicants selected must meet the physical requirements for the position.
Drug Testing
Applicants selected for appointment must take and pass a drug test.
Background Check
Applicants selected for appointment to a position with St. Louis County are subject to a background investigation.
Employment Eligibility Verification
All new employees must submit documentation verifying identity and employment eligibility within three days of their first day of employment.
Non-discrimination
St. Louis County is an equal opportunity and veteran-friendly employer.
Eligible St. Louis County employees earn a competitive salary and benefits package, including:
01
Please type or clearly print your name.
02
The information you provide related to your education, training, and experience is subject to verification. I understand that giving false information, failing to accurately represent myself, or not providing required documentation as listed on the job announcement will result in disqualification.
Are you legally authorized to work in the United States for St. Louis County?
All employees must be continuously authorized to work in the United States, for St. Louis County. St. Louis County does not provide sponsorship for employment visas, and it does not currently participate in E-Verify. Will you now, or will you in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status) to work legally for St. Louis County in the United States?
Below are several components of the position. Please indicate your level of expertise in each. There may be several in which you may have had little or no exposure – that's to be expected. Please use the following scale in your response: 3 = Experienced/competent 2 = Some knowledge/experience 1 = Little or no exposure
06
Serving as a liaison to or working closely with planning, community and/or economic development councils/boards, stakeholders, partners and consultants
High-level analysis and recommendation of business technology solutions related to economic, housing and community development
Advising businesses and industries considering new locations or expansions and developing marketing tools for economic development efforts
Effectively communicating technical subject matter to non-technical stakeholders
Organizational leadership and shaping culture within a work unit
Supervision of staff
Short and long term planning, policy development, grant writing, program implementation and evaluation of operations & initiatives
Budget/fiscal management
Working effectively with elected officials in a local government environment relating to community, housing, and economic development
Using creativity and innovation to improve service delivery
For each component for which you claimed "experienced/competent" status, please elaborate by providing at least one example that demonstrates your expertise. Identify the position and the organization you were in at the time of the example(s). Thank you.
17
I certify that my responses to the questions above are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
The salary range reflected above is the normal hiring range for 2025. The full salary range, including longevity pay, is $114,629 - $157,061 per year.
Distinguishing Features of Work
Under the general direction of County Administration, plans, directs and controls the functions and services administered by the St. Louis County Economic and Community Development Department. The Director develops and administers a comprehensive program of County economic planning, to ensure the implementation of County policy, organizational effectiveness and fiscal accountability. The Director is responsible for identifying and implementing economic and community development initiatives intended to maximize the county’s tax base and long-term sustainable growth of the communities within the County; serves as an economic and community development liaison between the County and other municipalities, government agencies and private businesses; and coordinates the development of enterprise GIS Geospatial data and land information portals. The Director plans and oversees strategic and enterprise initiatives that streamline business operations including web services, a-government and innovative projects that strengthen internal and external partnerships. The Director also serves in the capacity of the acting Executive Director for the County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) as delegated by the County Board and County Administrator.
Staff Responsibility
Responsible for supervising Planning and Community Development Department and HRA staff involved in land records management, County economic development initiatives, community development, and housing. The Economic and Community Development Director directly supervises division managers and professional staff involved in the functional planning areas and serves in an advisory capacity to the Land and Minerals Department Director on tax-forfeited urban and commercial properties.
The Economic and Community Development Director is responsible for determining the Department and HRA staffing requirements while working within the approved budget.
Budget Responsibility
Responsible for managing a total annual operating department budget for the Economic and Community Development Department totaling approximately $2 million and an HRA operating budget of approximately $0.4 million, annual state and federal grants of approximately $3 million, and other programs and contracts as approved by the County Board.
The Department budget is developed on an annual basis, and ongoing expenditures and fees for services are monitored to track budget performance. The Economic and Community Development Director exercises judgment and discretion in managing the Department and HRA budgets under the direction of the County Administrator after approval by the County Board and HRA Board.
Selection Process
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Pass/Fail)
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, urban planning or a closely related field AND seven (7) years of full-time paid progressively responsible planning and research experience, three (3) years of which was supervising or assisting in the administration of a planning and/or researching government or government-related services program; OR graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in public administration, business administration, urban planning or a closely related field AND five (5) years of full-time paid progressively responsible planning and research experience, three (3) years of which was supervising or assisting in the administration of a government or government-related services program.
Tentative Recruitment & Screening Process Schedule
January - Applicant Screening will begin
Early February 2026 - Finalist Interviews
March 2026 - Begin Employment
Questions
For more information about the position and organization, please contact Jim Gottschald, Deputy County Administrator - Human Resources, Administration and Governance, at 218-725-5066 or gottschaldj@stlouiscountymn.gov
For questions regarding the application process, please contact recruitment, at 218-726-2422 or recruitment@stlouiscountymn.gov
Essential Functions
The essential functions for this position are listed under the "ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK" on the specification, available in the Human Resources Department or online at www.stlouiscountymn.gov/jobdescriptions.
Veterans Preference
If you are eligible to apply for Veterans Preference, please attach to your application a copy of document(s) listed for the option that applies to you:
- Veteran: DD214 noting character of service.
- Disabled Veteran: DD214 & compensable disability award letter issued within the last 6 months.
- Spouse of Disabled Veteran: DD214 & compensable disability award letter issued within the last 6 months & marriage certificate. (Eligible only if Veteran is unable to qualify because of the disability.)
- Spouse of Deceased Veteran: DD214, Marriage Certificate and Death Certificate.
Physical-medical Standards
Qualified applicants must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Applicants selected must meet the physical requirements for the position.
Drug Testing
Applicants selected for appointment must take and pass a drug test.
Background Check
Applicants selected for appointment to a position with St. Louis County are subject to a background investigation.
Employment Eligibility Verification
All new employees must submit documentation verifying identity and employment eligibility within three days of their first day of employment.
Non-discrimination
St. Louis County is an equal opportunity and veteran-friendly employer.
Eligible St. Louis County employees earn a competitive salary and benefits package, including:
- Vacation, Sick and Personal Leave
- Paid Holidays
- Medical Plan
- Dental Plan
- Vision Plan
- Disability Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Retirement Benefits
- Deferred Compensation
- Training and Advancement Opportunities
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Resource Groups
- Employee Wellness Program
- Pet Insurance
01
Please type or clearly print your name.
02
The information you provide related to your education, training, and experience is subject to verification. I understand that giving false information, failing to accurately represent myself, or not providing required documentation as listed on the job announcement will result in disqualification.
- Yes
Are you legally authorized to work in the United States for St. Louis County?
- Yes
- No
All employees must be continuously authorized to work in the United States, for St. Louis County. St. Louis County does not provide sponsorship for employment visas, and it does not currently participate in E-Verify. Will you now, or will you in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status) to work legally for St. Louis County in the United States?
- Yes, I will now, or will in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status) to work legally for St. Louis County in the United States
- No, I will not now, or in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status) to work legally for St. Louis County in the United States
Below are several components of the position. Please indicate your level of expertise in each. There may be several in which you may have had little or no exposure – that's to be expected. Please use the following scale in your response: 3 = Experienced/competent 2 = Some knowledge/experience 1 = Little or no exposure
06
Serving as a liaison to or working closely with planning, community and/or economic development councils/boards, stakeholders, partners and consultants
- Experienced/competent
- Some knowledge/experience
- Little or no exposure
High-level analysis and recommendation of business technology solutions related to economic, housing and community development
- Experienced/competent
- Some knowledge/experience
- Little or no exposure
Advising businesses and industries considering new locations or expansions and developing marketing tools for economic development efforts
- Experienced/competent
- Some knowledge/experience
- Little or no exposure
Effectively communicating technical subject matter to non-technical stakeholders
- Experienced/competent
- Some knowledge/experience
- Little or no experience
Organizational leadership and shaping culture within a work unit
- Experienced/competent
- Some knowledge/experience
- Little or no exposure
Supervision of staff
- Experienced/competent
- Some knowledge/experience
- Little or no experience
Short and long term planning, policy development, grant writing, program implementation and evaluation of operations & initiatives
- Experienced/competent
- Some knowledge/experience
- Little or no exposure
Budget/fiscal management
- Experienced/competent
- Some knowledge/experience
- Little or no exposure
Working effectively with elected officials in a local government environment relating to community, housing, and economic development
- Experienced/competent
- Some knowledge/experience
- Little or no exposure
Using creativity and innovation to improve service delivery
- Experienced/competent
- Some knowledge/experience
- Little or no experience
For each component for which you claimed "experienced/competent" status, please elaborate by providing at least one example that demonstrates your expertise. Identify the position and the organization you were in at the time of the example(s). Thank you.
17
I certify that my responses to the questions above are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
- Yes
- No
- Required Question
Salary : $114,629 - $157,061