Director of Planning and Economic
Development
About Springfield & the Position
As the Capital of Illinois,
Springfield is the largest city in central Illinois and is best known for being
the home of our 16th president Abraham Lincoln and the place where
President Barack Obama spent his early career in politics. Springfield is truly
rich with history while maintaining a progressive and strong business
environment. The City of Springfield is
actively seeking a Director for its Office of Planning and Economic
Development. This position is within the
city’s municipal government structure and works directly with the Mayor and oversees
a staff of eight.
Springfield’s education economy is
driven by numerous colleges and universities including the University of
Illinois at Springfield (UIS); Robert Morris University; Benedictine
University; and Lincoln Land Community College. Springfield’s medical and
health care sectors are a core industry for central Illinois in addition to
being the seat of Illinois state government. We draw people year-round for
festivals and events including the Illinois State Fair; the annual Route 66
Mother Road Festival; and the Old Capital Art Fair. The community is
conveniently located on Interstate highways 55 and 72, Springfield is in close
proximity to St. Louis to the south; Chicago to the north and Indianapolis to
the east.
Responsibilities
Directing a team of eight, the
successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing and managing various
projects related to the City’s economic development efforts including:
· Oversees a budget of approximately
$12,000,000, and prioritize economic and housing development initiatives;
· Leading the TIF Division Manager and Project
Manager in creating short- and long-term strategies for the City’s eight Tax
Increment Financing (TIF) areas;
· Working with the City’s Convention and Visitors
Bureau, along with other outside agencies like the Chamber of Commerce, to create
new business initiatives that expand and build upon Springfield’s resources and
economic drivers including the medical; educational and technology fields;
· Provide guidance and insight to its department
initiatives including Community Development Block Grants; Enterprise Zones; Tax
Increment Finance Incentives; Historic Preservation and the Micro-loan Lending
Program;
· Ensuring the newly adopted comprehensive plan
is abided by during any development initiatives;
· Working with the staff, review the various
completed community studies to move to the implementation phase;
· In partnership with the Mayor, serve as the
City’s liaison to business owners, educational community and leaders as an
avenue to understand the needs and trends of the Springfield area for business
growth and stability and workforce development.
· Oversee the City of Springfield’s Economic
Development Commission;
· Continually assess significant trends,
developing forecasts and create new initiatives and programs to meet the
economic needs to the trends indentified;
· Maintain an active presence in the City of
Springfield through associated community groups and other entities as well as
training and developing employees toward an environment of continuous quality
improvement.
Minimum Qualifications
Four-year degree in business, public
administration, urban planning or a related field and a minimum of direct
experience associated with business development in one or more areas such as finance,
commercial, manufacturing and industrial development, and/or experience in
community planning and development in a municipal environment; or any
equivalent combination of experience and additional education or training that
provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform this work.
Compensation
Salary commensurate with
qualifications and experience. Benefits
include ten (10) vacation days, twelve (12) sick days, two (2) personal days
and twelve (12) paid holidays each year. The City offers multiple health,
dental and vision plans as well as optional deferred compensation plans, and
participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (a defined benefit
pension plan). Residency within the
corporate city limits is required.
How to Apply/Deadline
Apply online by visiting www.springfield.il.us or send resume to HumanResources@springfield.il.us.
Deadline to apply is October 30, 2017 at 11:00 p.m. (CST). If assistance in applying is required,
contact the City of Springfield’s Office of Human Resources.
The city of Springfield may conduct
background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer
of employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair
Credit Reporting Act. The City of Springfield is an affirmative action/equal
opportunity employer with a strong commitment to recruitment and retention of a
diverse and inclusive workforce.