Montana Career Opportunity – Economic Development Planner – Northwest Montana

Job Description: Economic Development Planner

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The Economic Development Planner is responsible for facilitating, promoting and ensuring community and economic development in order to secure opportunities for economic and business development and increase local employment in the four counties (Flathead, Lake, Lincoln and Sanders) of the region.

SCOPE
The Economic Development Planner reports to the Northwest Regional Economic Development District Board of Directors, and is responsible for facilitating community and economic development planning and initiatives; identifying and fostering regional economic development opportunities; securing funding for economic development activities and programs; assisting local organizations, businesses and individuals with establishing economic development plans and projects; and promoting the community in order to expand economic development opportunities.

Failure to provide adequate services will result in lost opportunities to increase the economic development of the community and increase local business activity and local employment. Providing increased opportunities for economic development and local employment have a significant effect on the overall well being of community residents.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Facilitate community and economic development planning in order to identify and establish economic development opportunities

• Main Activities

o Facilitate the community and economic development planning process

o Establish and support economic development sub-committees

 i.e. Tourism Committees

o Develop economic profiles of the region and community

o Facilitate the development and maintain (update) the Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) document

o Research and provide recommendations on community economic development opportunities

o Evaluate results of economic development studies and agreements and make recommendations

2. Identify opportunities for regional economic development in order to development sectors, projects and initiatives

• Main Activities

o Identify regional opportunities for economic development (i.e. mine support, tourism, forestry, arts and culture, etc.)

o Develop partnerships within the region to develop and promote opportunities

o Assist local organizations, businesses and individuals to take advantage of economic development opportunities and major projects

o Assist with the development of job creation projects

o Conduct surveys and research on market opportunities

o Identify capital development program opportunities

o Identify community training and development requirements to take advantage of economic development opportunities

3. Secure funding for economic development activities and programs

• Main Activities

o Research private and public sector economic development funding opportunities

o Consult with industry and government representatives concerning eligibility requirements for funding

o Prepare and/or assistant in preparing proposals for funding to support community economic development

4. Promote the region in order to expand economic development opportunities

• Main Activities

o Represent the region at regional, territorial and national meetings and conferences on economic development

o Develop community and regional networks

o Attend trade shows

o Develop a communications strategy

o Develop regional strategies to promote various opportunities (i.e. tourism, arts and crafts, etc.)

o Develop brochures and promotional materials

o Develop a Regional Economic Development District web site

o Promote the use of private sector business services

o Liaise with industry and government representatives to promote local businesses and individuals

5. Perform other related duties as required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

The incumbent must have proficient knowledge in the following areas:

• Considerable knowledge of State and Federal grants and other development programs

• Ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing,

• Ability to effectively communicate

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with private, nonprofit, “public sector officials, ability to plan, supervise and coordinate work of others

• Ability to prepare clear and comprehensive financial administrative and production reports

• ability to identify and promote community economic development projects and initiatives

• team building skills

• analytical and problem solving skills

• decision making skills

• effective verbal, presentation and listening communications skills

• effective negotiation and mediation skills

• effective written communications skills

• computer skills

• stress management skills

• time management skills

• be honest and trustworthy

• be respectful

• possess cultural awareness and sensitivity

• be flexible

• demonstrate sound work ethics

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to bachelor’s degree in public/business administration/urban planning/economics/ related field and extensive professional experience in community/economic development

Comprehensive knowledge of principles and practices of community and economic development programs

Three years experience in community/economic development or any equivalent combination of education and experience, with additional education substituting on a year for year basis for the required experience

Economic Development Institute or National Development Council certification is a plus.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Valid Montana State Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Demands

The Regional Economic Development Planner will have to spend long hours sitting and using office equipment and computers, which can cause muscle strain. The Regional Economic
Development Planner may also have to do some light lifting of supplies and materials from time to time.

Environmental Conditions

The Economic Development Planner may have to manage a number of projects at one time, and may be interrupted frequently to meet the needs and requests of residents, clients and contractors. The Economic Development Planner may find the environment to be busy, noisy and will need excellent organizational and time and stress management skills to complete the required tasks.

Sensory Demands

Sensory demands include use of the computer, which may cause eyestrain and occasional headaches.

Mental Demands

The Economic Development Planner will have to manage a number of requests and situations at one time. Stress may be caused by the need to complete tasks within tight deadlines.

(If you do apply for this position, please mention that you saw it on MATR.net Thank you)

SELECTION GUIDELINES

A cover letter and resume may be sent to the following address by the end of business on the closing date:

Northwest Montana Economic Development District

Attention: Michael Strotheide

314 Main Street

Kalispell, Montana 59901

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent(s) of this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and activities required of the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.