Economic Development Specialist II

Priority Dispatch Corp.; York (York County); On-site; USD 57,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Employee wellness programs

EAP

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

The City of York is seeking an experienced development professional to oversee Economic and Community Development initiatives in York, PA. You will coordinate with the Redevelopment Authority and stakeholders to advance revitalization efforts, attract investment, and manage strategic projects.

Ideal candidates will have public administration training, grant-writing experience, and strong project-management and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in public administration, business admin, planning, housing, communications, economics, or related field.
• 2–5 years’ relevant experience preferred in planning, public policy, economics, business, or environmental studies.
• Fluency in Spanish desired but not required.
• Experience writing grant proposals.
• Project management experience.
• Experience working in diverse communities with DEI principles.
• Ability to manage logistics, details, and deadlines.
• Independent, fast-paced, multi-task environment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive issues with diplomacy and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Support the City of York Redevelopment Authority, including administration of public meetings, agendas, minutes, and materials.
• Serve as liaison to brokerage community, small business community, the Redevelopment Authority, and local stakeholders.
• Develop revitalization initiatives and maintain communication with business advisory groups, government agencies, and citizens.
• Maintain a city business database of vacant or undeveloped properties.
• Create resources promoting retail and industrial opportunities.
• Lead small business initiatives and organize luncheons, summits, and outreach programs.
• Guide small businesses through development processes including permits and codes.
• Manage project support for related special projects and public/private partnerships.
• Identify and support funding through grants, loans, and other mechanisms.
• Represent the City on meetings with City Council, Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Board, etc.
• Prepare information and offer recommendations to business groups.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in all work.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Grant writing

Project management

Public administration

Spanish language

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's/Associate degree in public administration/related field

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Legal Address - York, PA 17401

Salary Range: $56,656.21 - $70,817.89 Salary

This person will be responsible for helping to oversee the City of York’s Economic and Community Development strategy, consistent with the Mayor’s vision and priority goals for the city.

This person will provide administrative support to the City of York Redevelopment Authority (RDA) as well as serving as an external point of contact, convener, and facilitator of the RDA working groups and other community stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will play a pivotal role in bringing together internal and external groups to accomplish goals with significant city-wide impact. They will be a creative problem-solver, strategic thinker, and detail-oriented team member. They will also collaborate well with stakeholders of all types. Importantly, they will bring passion and excitement to this critical position and thrive on serving in a stewardship role for the City of York.

Direct report to the Director of Economic and Community Development.

Job Duties

• Support the City of York Redevelopment Authority, to include administration of public meetings, preparation of agendas, minutes, and support materials


• Serve as a liaison to the brokerage community, small business community, the Redevelopment Authority, and the City Revitalization and Improvement Zone.


• Assist with developing revitalization initiatives and maintain communication with the business community, advisory groups, government agencies, and citizens to identify business needs


• Maintain a city business database of vacant or undeveloped commercial and industrial properties


• Create and update resources that promote retail and industrial opportunities


• Build and manage a business retention and expansion program for small businesses and major employers, including conducting visits to existing businesses and distributing surveys to local business leaders to identify current and future needs. Research and analyze related data


• Lead major small business initiatives such as luncheons and small business summits and organize seminars and outreach programs to support small businesses.


• Guide small businesses through development processes, including tenant improvements, permits, codes, and ordinances


• Project management and support on all related special projects


• Coordination between public/private partnerships to help achieve policy and project goals


• Identify and support funding and financing procurement through grants, loans, and other mechanisms. In some cases, you will serve as a point for grant applications, administration, and compliance. Post award grant management and reporting


• Represent the City of York on a variety of meetings as needed, this could include City Council, Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Board, etcetera


• Prepare and present information and offer recommendations to business and advisory groups


• Embody York City’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and ensure those principles are reflected in all aspects of our work


• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications / Requirements

• Associate degree or bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, planning, housing, communications, economics, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience


• 2-5 years’ relevant experience is preferred in a relevant professional role: planning, public policy, economics, business, or environmental studies


• Fluency in Spanish desired but not required


• Experience writing successful grant proposals


• Project management experience


• Experience working in a socially and demographically diverse community and embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion


• Demonstrated ability to manage logistics, details, and deadlines


• Able to function effectively and independent of direct-supervision in a fast paced, multi-task environment


• Effective oral and written communication skills


• Able to handle sensitive issues, situations, and information with diplomacy, professionalism and confidentiality

Hiring Prerequisites

• Drug screening testing with negative results


• Background Report


• PA Child Abuse History Clearance Certificate. Note: Child Abuse History Clearance must be dated within one year from the date of application and must show that "no record exists."


• All persons who become employed by the City on or after the effective date of this section (May 18, 2022) shall be or become residents of York County, or any County contiguous to York County (Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Hartford, Baltimore, and Carroll Counties), within six months from the first date the employee achieves permanent employment status.

City of York Benefits Overview

Medical Coverage

• Capital Blue Cross PPO plan with low copays and full coverage for preventive care


• Prescription drug coverage through TrueRX, plus optional Rx’nGo savings program

Dental & Vision

• Delta Dental plans: Enhanced and Basic options with orthodontia coverage


• Vision Benefits of America (VBA): Exams, lenses, frames, and contact lens allowance

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

• Pre-tax savings for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Life & Disability Insurance

• City-paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance


• Optional supplemental life, critical illness, accident, and short-term disability coverage

Retirement Savings

• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan through Conrad Siegel for long-term financial planning


• City of York Pension Program

Additional Perks

• OSS Health Company Direct Program for orthopedic care


• Voluntary ancillary benefits through Colonial Life


• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Wellspan Health


• Wellness Committee programming and activities throughout the year


• Learning and development opportunities

Eligibility: Full-time employees; coverage begins the first of the month following hire.

Enrollment:Must enroll within 14 days of hire; changes allowed during open enrollment or qualifying life events.

Questions about the City of York Benefits package can be directed [e-mail].