Economic Development Coordinator

Objective

The residents of Janesville choose this community, not just as a place to live, but as a place to realize life’s opportunities. We strive to sustain a community culture where differences are recognized, understood, and appreciated. As such, the City of Janesville recognizes the importance of developing an environment where diversity is not merely accepted but embraced and celebrated. As public servants, we believe everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. To this end, we will diligently recruit and retain the most talented employees in an environment that fosters maximizing one’s potential. Therefore, we encourage individuals from all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to consider employment with the City of Janesville and serve the residents of “Wisconsin’s Park Place”.

Relationships

• Reports to: Economic Development Director
• Has regular work contact with appointed and elected City officials, Department, Division, and Office Heads, City employees, business representatives, consultants, developers, architects, community interest groups, other governmental agencies, and the general public.
• Supervises: Has no regular supervisory duties.

Essential Duties

• Assists with development, implementation, and promotion of on-going economic development strategy to attract new and expand existing commercial and industrial businesses in the City of Janesville.
• Conducts research of commercial and business prospects; maintains a variety of statistical and demographic information on the City for economic development purposes to provide information to staff, officials, prospects, property owners, and real estate professionals;
• Assists with the design and implementation of an economic development marketing program to attract new businesses to the City of Janesville by writing news releases and brochures, advertising in trade magazines, visiting business and industry representatives, participating in trade shows, and making public presentations.
• Assists with the preparation of, and submits project plans, analyses, spreadsheets, and required forms to create, amend, or close Tax Incremental Districts (TIDs); continually updates and monitors the status and performance of TIDs; submits annual TID reports to the State, and coordinates with consultants the City utilizes in the development and maintenance of TIDs.
• Assists with preparation of, and implements, the goals, objectives and policies of the Economic Development Office; assists in planning and recommending strategies for future economic development initiatives; actively markets economic development programs in order to attract, retain, and grow businesses.
• Maintains a positive local business climate by meeting with local business and industry representatives and determining ways to aid local firms to expand; serves as a resource to local businesses; provides support for various community events.
• Seeks out, develops, and prepares grant and other applications for funding of local economic development projects on behalf of the City of Janesville and/or local businesses; maintains a clearinghouse of data related to Economic Development programs and grants; submits all required reports in a timely manner.
• Affords assistance in preparing and negotiating development agreements with new and expanding businesses considering the City of Janesville for their business; coordinates with appropriate City departments to facilitate related development reports and payments and conclude the agreement when a development agreement is reached.
• Prepares and coordinates with other Federal, State, regional, local and private economic development entities comprehensive incentive proposals for businesses and industries considering locating or expanding in the City of Janesville.
• Researches and coordinates work between City departments and local businesses to resolve problems and respond to inquiries; assists in obtaining services and assistance for new and existing businesses and industries; provides guidance and coordination to businesses for development approval processes.
• Collaborates with applicable Federal, state and local governmental and private economic development agencies to minimize duplication of effort and to maximize the effectiveness of available resources.
• Coordinates the City of Janesville’s Economic Development Office with applicable Federal, state and local governmental and private economic development agencies to minimize duplication of effort and to maximize the effectiveness of available resources.
• Assists with ensuring the Janesville Economic Development Program is compliant with Federal, state and local regulations; completes and maintains required Federal, State and/or local records and reports.
• Completes required projects, records and reports related to TIDs and economic development, including brownfields, or other related state and federal grants.
• Coordinates environmental review, evaluation, and effects on behalf of the City or a developer to facilitate projects.
• Assists in presentations to Plan Commission, City Council, Joint Review Board, Revolving Loan Fund Committee, and other related City specific boards, commissions, or committees.

Minimum Position Requirements/Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in planning, economic development, marketing, business administration, or related field is required.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in economic development, planning, public administration, real estate, commercial and industrial development or closely related field is required.
• A valid, state-issued driver’s license at time of hire is required.

Competencies

• Knowledge of modern theories, principles, practices, and techniques of economic development and urban planning, including general knowledge of zoning and development regulations.
• Public relations, promotional techniques, and marketing.
• Laws, statutes, and regulations governing economic development programs.
• The use and creation of Tax Incremental Districts (TIDs) and implementation of successful TID project plans.
• The creation, negotiation, and implementation of Tax Increment Financing Development Agreements.
• Development of business plans and financial statements.
• The structure, functions, and operations of municipal government.
• Research methods and statistical techniques used in economic development programs.

Skills

• Excellent time management, organizational, multitasking, and prioritization skills.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, paired with a strong customer service background, and effective interpersonal skills.
• Working with the public in a fair and consistent manner; maintaining objectivity and excluding personal bias while performing job duties.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft applications, including Excel, Word, Power Point, Access, and Outlook.
• Basic proficiency in the use of ESRI ArcView, GIS mapping programs, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Effective presentation and public speaking skills.
• Strong ethics base built on integrity, honesty, and respect.

Abilities

• Ability to organize, plan, formulate, and research projects and programs; make recommendations, and successfully implement once approved.
• Ability to analyze financial data as it pertains to real estate development.
• Ability to effectively make presentations to small and large groups of individuals, manage public speaking obligations, and successfully communicate with the general public.
• Ability to work independently and efficiently follow established policies, guidelines, and procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in in verbal and written form, and to follow verbal and written instructions with minimum supervision.
• Ability to assist in negotiating complex development agreements, drafting legal documents, and preparing Federal and State grant applications.
• Ability to work with the public in a fair and consistent manner, maintaining objectivity and excluding personal bias while performing job duties.
• Ability to make decisions according to applicable laws, regulations, established procedures, and the directives of the City Manager and City Council.
• Ability to learn and apply new technology and computerized systems/building systems in order to detect and diagnose operational problems and maintenance needs.
• Ability to comply with all safety policies, practices, and procedures, and report all unsafe activities or conditions to supervisor.

Behaviors

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City elected and appointed officials, Department, Division, and Office heads, City employees, business representatives, community representatives, vendors, consultants, developers, outside governmental and economic development agencies, and the general public.
• Exhibit exceptional professionalism, tact, and decorum in all areas of work duties.
• Maintain confidentiality of the Economic Development Office and the City of Janesville, possess a high level of integrity, adopt a professional work ethic, demonstrate tact and decorum, and exemplify a positive, welcoming, friendly attitude to all.
• Interact positively with a diverse group of individuals and work effectively both as part of a team and independently.
• Embrace and actively promote an inclusive and equitable work environment.
• Conduct all business and working relationships in an accurate, fair, equitable and highly ethical manner.
• Reliable, timely, and proactive in the completion of duties, meeting deadlines and responding to inquiries.