City of North Chicago, IL
The City of North Chicago is pleased to announce the recruitment and selection process for a full-time Director of Economic and Community Development. The salary range for the Director position is: $105,749.00 - $122,998.00 based upon qualifications.
The City of North Chicago, Illinois, (population 30,038), a home-rule municipality under the Illinois Constitution, is located approximately 36 miles north of the Chicago “Loop.” Located on the shores of Lake Michigan between Chicago and Milwaukee, North Chicago is the proud home to Naval Station Great Lakes, the only training command for United States Navy recruits and the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center – the nation’s first fully integrated Veteran’s Affairs and Department of Defense entity.
The City of North Chicago is a Municipal Corporation and a home-rule unit of government under the Constitution of the State of Illinois. The City operates under a strong Mayor form of government. The other key elected members in the government include the seven members of the City Council, who make up the legislative branch of the City’s government.
The Director’s responsibilities entail accountability based on measurable cost effective results for the growth of the City’s tax base through various traditional and nontraditional methods. The role of the Economic and Community Development Director provides a strong, comprehensive approach for the future development of the City through a wide range of activities.
The Director will need to oversee existing business/industry outreach efforts to include site visits, attend business functions, assist existing businesses with expansion plans, be able to problem solve and coordinate follow-up.
The Director must have the ability to create a framework for encouraging and facilitating entrepreneurial based business development by coordinating access to local, regional and state resources; including business assistance, business retention, and financing plans. S/he must be able to gather, analyze and present economic development trend information clearly and effectively in order facilitate the best strategies for the City.
The role of the Director will include coordination of presentations and prospect visits with relevant City departments and local and regional economic development organizations.
The Director will serve as liaison between the City and private sector development in negotiation and development of performance agreements, evaluation of fiscal impacts, and developing recommendations to the Mayor, Chief of Staff and City Council.
Qualified applicants should have a clear understanding regarding the procedures and practices of economic development, urban planning, zoning, regulations and ordinances.
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA:
The Economic and Community Development Director is an important member of the City’s Executive Staff. He/she will report to the Mayor and the Chief of Staff.
The City is seeking candidates with a strong, successful track record of economic development initiatives as well as experience and expertise in the following:
- Economic development programs;
- Urban planning principles and practices;
- Real estate services and transactions;
- Code enforcement practices and procedures;
- City ordinances and zoning codes;
- Community Development principles and procedures;
- State and federal business assistance programs;
- Business plan and credit analysis, financial packaging and commercial lending.
- Economic recovery strategies;
- Economic development finance, redevelopment, and emerging economic development trends;
- Experience administering the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
- Experience actively researching, writing, and managing grants from the Federal and State government and other private and public funding sources.
Candidates will be expected to have a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible managerial municipal experience; in a medium sized community, preferably in a strong Mayor and/or Council/Manager setting.
Candidates should have the ability to manage and efficiently deliver multiple and often complex projects, as well as, be creative, analytically and technically competent in government services.
Candidates should have an accessible, positive and collaborative management style, with an ability to establish credibility with the public and business community.
Have an ability to resolve problems and assist businesses, the public, and homeowners with projects and questions about municipal regulations, ordinances and codes.
The successful candidate in this position will be a strategic thinker and possess strong communication, customer service and management skills; strong analytical skills necessary to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
Candidates should have experience working with elected and appointed officials, the public and community, and have an ability to present economic development and related data in a clear and understandable manner.
Candidates should apply by July 9, 2016, with resume, cover letter and contact information with five work-related references to the attention of Elizabeth Black, Director of Human Resources at 1850 Lewis Avenue, North Chicago, IL 60064. Tel: 847-596-8642. The City of North Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $105,749.00 /year
Required education: Bachelor's
Required experience: Economic/Community Development: 7 years