Economic Development Specialist, City of Evanston

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

http://tbe.taleo.net/NA9/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=CITYEVANSTON&cws=1&rid=396

NATURE OF WORK:

This position performs responsible professional work to assist in the development and implementation of City of Evanston economic development programs and projects that support commercial, office, and industrial businesses and development activities. Work includes participating in marketing the City of Evanston and providing assistance to identify prospect opportunities, participating in providing proposals, studies and economic information to support marketing efforts and assisting in programs designed to support existing business development through both expansion and retention assistance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Specific assignment will include some or all of the following):

* Assist in the preparation of customized, confidential, professional responses to prospect requests;

* Contributes to the constant improvement of presentation materials / in-house publications;

* Participates in the development of aggressive marketing and sales strategies that will result in new prospect activity;

* Meets and works with citizen committees, businesses, institutions, interest groups, non-profit organizations, and neighborhood groups concerning economic development issues and challenges;

* Regularly survey existing businesses and/or business associations; organize data from surveys and flag businesses with specific needs and challenges; assist Economic Development Manager and Economic Development
Coordinators in developing viable solutions

* Develops and maintains a comprehensive inventory of available commercial, office and industrial building spaces and sites within the community for economic development purposes;

* Create and maintain Evanston Business Directory and sub-directory for certified Minority or Women owned businesses; create system for allowing for more dynamic, regular updates of the business directories; with appropriate City staff, regularly meet with Evanston, Minority and Women owned businesses to encourage their inclusion on the City's MWEBE business list.

* Assist with New Business Licenses; help to create/maintain data base of all pertinent new business openings and business license "closures" (i.e. non-renewed and/or revoked license, etc.)

* Act as initial point of contact for general inquiries from new and existing business walk-in and phone inquiries; act as ED liaison for 311 inquiries.

* Develop and maintain comprehensive inventory of available commercial, office and industrial building space and sites in Evanston for development purposes; coordinate such inventory with Downtown Evanston Executive Director; tracks vacancy rates within the City by commercial industry.

* Update and maintain content information on Community and Economic Development Department website; conduct research and gather data on key ED facts (Evanston's top 10 employers, etc.) for the ED Division webpage

* Develop and maintain internal and external reports on C&ED Staff/activities, including but not limited to: preparation of Monthly City Council update; budget reports, coordination of monthly credit card reconciliations, etc.

* Assist, as needed, the Director and Manager in preparation of Power Point presentations and supporting materials, for presentation to City Council, Committee meetings, key business groups, and/or other special interest groups

* Create and maintain common files (digital and paper) for Ordinance updates; assure that CED has the latest signed version of all adopted, amended, etc. ordinances.

* Assist with production and tracking of real estate leases and sales contracts for municipally-owned or leased properties; create annual report of sales and/or leases.

* Work with Economic Development Division Manager and the Chief Information Officer to coordinate announcements and the promotion of the new businesses openings, existing business expansions or key anniversaries, and general business activities and special events

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:

* Bachelor's degree (Master's preferred) from an accredited college or university in business, economics, communications or similar discipline; and at least two (2) years of progressively responsible economic development research experience; and two years experience using personal computer and the internet related to economic development research.

* Innovative, self-motivated, creative, resourceful and independent thinking; Strong problem solving skills with an ability to quickly assess the issues and challenges and begin to develop alternative solutions for preferred economic development projects and programs.

* Ability to review, understand and discern key information from market analysis, economic or fiscal impact reports, or other related economic development studies and reports; ability to take information and adapt, as appropriate, to Economic Development priorities and strategies.

* Ability to understand, administer and adapt the process of land use regulations as administered by local municipalities throughout the U.S., and articulate their theoretical basis, generally, and specifically related to commercial business expansion and attraction;

* Considerable knowledge of and ability to use Internet search engines, word processing software, email, and Windows operating systems, and GIS.

* Ability to work with and relate to a diverse group of citizens from varying socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds.

* Excellent communication, organizational and project management skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:

* The ability to work in a primarily sedentary position, with the ability to occasionally use force to exert up to 10 pounds. The ability to lift, carry or otherwise move objects, books, materials, etc. using up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

* The employee is subject to inside environmental conditions: protection from weather conditions, but not necessarily from indoor temperature changes.

* There are no environmental hazards associated with this classification.

NECESSARY SPECIAL LICENSES AND REQUIREMENTS:

Valid Illinois driver's license and safe driving record. Use of own vehicle, as needed.

SUPERVISION:

The Economic Development Specialist reports to the Economic Division Development Coordinators who outlines work assignments, reviews work in progress, and assesses completed work. Works closely with all relevant departments/divisions to assist and inform in the processing of economic development related issues and policies; best practices as appropriate. Guidance is provided via the strategic plan, economic development vision statement, economic development work program, City Code, City policies and procedures, applicable state and federal laws and regulations, ensuring that planning initiatives are met. Work is evaluated at least annually with respect to progress toward achieving goals, leadership, communication skills, customer service, ability to work productively and effectively with employees at all levels in the organization as well as community groups, businesses, major employers and the general public.

PUBLIC CONTACT:

The employee has regular and frequent contact with department and division employees and other City employees; regular contact with individual citizens and groups, including business associations and elected officials. Facilitation of and presentations during public meetings are part of the scope of work for this position.