Community & Economic Development Specialist

City of St Joseph; East Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement programs

HCS Plan contribution

14 paid holidays

25 days of paid time off

Parental leave (30 days)

Health coverage included

Life insurance (2x salary)

FSA

Employee Assistance Program

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

The City of East Lansing is seeking a full-time Community & Economic Development Specialist to join the Community & Economic Development Department. You will manage programs such as CDBG and potentially the Downtown Management Board, oversee infrastructure projects, and coordinate with merchants to keep businesses resilient.

Responsibilities include procurement and accounting duties, preparing meeting agendas, and promoting redevelopment initiatives while collaborating with stakeholders to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Planning or related field or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and/or Downtown Management Board (DMB).
• Oversee infrastructure projects and coordinate with merchants to maintain business continuity during construction, events, and utility work.
• Handle procurement, accounting, and accounts payable for operations, infrastructure, marketing, and events.
• Prepare and produce meeting agendas and minutes for the department.
• Promote and market division activities, initiatives, and redevelopment projects.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to incorporate inclusionary economic development concepts.
• Design and implement placemaking activities and pop-up events to advance economic goals.
• Serve as staff resource for the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA).

Skills

Procurement

Contract management

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Planning or related field

Job description

The City of East Lansing is seeking to hire a full-time Community & Economic Development Specialist. East Lansing, home to Michigan State University, is a dynamic community of nearly 49,000 people, operates under the Council-Manager form of government with a full-time and part-time regular staff of 331 employees.

The City of East Lansing is seeking a Community & Economic Development Specialist to serve in our Community & Economic Development Department. The position will report to the Community & Economic Development Director and will be responsible for one or more Division programs, including, but not limited to: the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)Program, and/or Downtown Management Board (DMB); Manage infrastructure projects, coordination with merchants to maintain business continuity during construction, events, utility projects, etc.; Manage procurement, accounting, and accounts payable for various items needed for operations, infrastructure, marketing, and events; Prepare and produce meeting agendas, minutes; Promote and market division activities, initiatives, and redevelopment projects; In collaboration with stakeholders, identify and incorporate inclusionary economic development concepts in all programming; Design and implement ongoing placemaking activities, including pop-up events, to further economic development goals; and, acting as a staff resource for the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA).

WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY?

• Competitive salary with annual cost of living increases
• Retirement programs including a hybrid pension (10% of salary) and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
• $1,000 annual employer contribution to post-employment Health Care Savings Plan
• 14 paid holidays
• 25 days of paid time off
• 30 calendar days of paid parental leave for the birth or adoption of a child
• Health coverage (or receive a $200 monthly buy-out if you have coverage from another source), family dental and vision plan premiums fully covered by the city
• Life insurance of 2x annual salary w/optional supplemental coverage, and Long-Term Disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to use pre-tax dollars for out-of-pocket health and daycare expenses
• An Employee Assistance Program, offering free counseling and support for employees and families
• Qualify for “Public Service Loan Forgiveness” which forgives eligible student loans for borrowers who work at least ten years in public service
• An ever-changing work environment! In the dynamic work of Community & Economic Development, each day presents new and exciting challenges that keep your work fresh, engaging, and stimulating

Union Affiliation: Non-Union

FLSA: Exempt

• A bachelor’s degree with major course work in Planning, Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Finance, Public Administration, Geography, Accounting, Sustainability, or a related field OR equivalent training, education, and/or experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Must possess an unrestricted Michigan driver’s license and excellent driving record; use of personal vehicle required.
• Knowledge and experience with procurement, contract, and project management.

To perform the essential functions of the job, an individual may be required to stay in one period for prolonged periods of time as well as travel between sites within the City, work in both indoor and outdoor environments, handle moderately heavy (25 – 40 pounds) bags/boxes/equipment, operate assigned office equipment including computers, operate a City vehicle, and communicate effectively with both City employees and the public.