5.2. SR 02-04-2008Elk .REQUEST FOR ACTION
..~
River
To Item Number
Citv Council 5.2.
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Administration Febru 4, 2008 Lori Johnson, Ci Administrator
Item Description Reviewed by
Authorization Hiruig Process for Economic Development
Assistant Reviewed by
Action Requested
The Council is asked to authorize beginning the biting process fox the economic development assistant
including approving the pay range as recommended by the Personnel Committee.
Background/Discussion
Attached is the position description far the economic development assistant. The assistant director of
economic development position will be replaced by the economic development assistant position. The
description has been updated slightly from the one that was previously distributed to add some minor
duties that were missing and to reflect current terminology and processes such as the section of duties
previously titled, "performs siting/expansion process team duties" is now called "performs economic
development expansion duties." There were no material changes to the position description including the
essential functions and qualifications sections.
The economic development assistant position was not included in the position reclassification study;
therefore, it needed to be reviewed by the Personnel Committee to place it in the pay plan. (The assistant
director of economic development position was filled at the time the study was done; consequently, this
position was not reviewed.) The Committee met this week to review this position and determined that it
falls in pay grade seven which is $48,065 to $56,547 per year. The assistant director of economic
development was at pay grade nine.
Finally, it is expected that this position can be filled this spring if recruitment begins now.
Financial Impact
This position is included in the 2008 budget at a higher pay grade so, in addition to savings from the
position being vacant fox several months, some savings will be realized in pay.
Attachments
^ Economic development assistant position description
Action Motion by Second by Vote
S:\Councd\Lori\2008\Econ Dcv Asstdoc
Follow Up
S:\Cuuncd\Lon\2008\Econ Dec AssLdoc
City of Elk River
,~„ Economic Development Assistant
ver Position Description
Department/Division: Immediate Supervisor:
Community Development/Economic Director of Economic Development
Develo ment
Pay Grade: FLSA Status: Last Updated: (date)
7 Exem t 1/31/08
Positions Supervised:
N/A
Position Summary
The Economic Development Assistant is responsible for assisting in the undertaking of a variety of
routine and complex economic development initiatives in industrial, commercial, housing and
redevelopment activities.
Essential Functions
1. Performs business development and financial administration activities.
A. Administers the micro loan fund.
B. Utilizes the Strategic Plan for Economic Development and the Strategic Industrial
Marketing Plan.
C. Coordinates the business retention and expansion program.
D. Assists in the preparation, updating and implementation of various economic
development plans.
E. Maintains inventory of the properties available for development.
F. Assists in promoting, recruiting, evaluating and facilitating prospective clients
through site selection process.
G. Acts as staff liaison to EDA subcommittees as assigned.
H. Assists in writing, reviewing, and overseeing grants.
2. Performs housing and redevelopment activities.
A. Assists with activities for the Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
B. Assists in the updating and implementation of the Downtown Redevelopment Plan.
C. Assists with the coordination of the redevelopment planning process.
D. Assists in the preparation and updating of the Elk River Housing Study.
E. Assists in the preparation, updating and implementation of various redevelopment
plans.
3. Performs marketing acti~rities.
A. Utilizes F_,conomic Development Communication Standards u1 all marketing
materials and activities.
B. Creates, distributes and maintains marketing materials for promotion of economic
development and available commercial and industrial land.
C. Assists in the marketing of the Energy Ciry program and activities.
D. Creates marketing techniques to promote and fill business and industrial parks.
E. Utilizes special writing skills to distribute public information in order to create better
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awareness of development opportunities in the City of Elk River.
4. Performs communication activities.
A. Delivers presentations to the City Council, Boards, CO1ri1T11SS10IIS, the public and
other external groups to provide information and encourage use of services.
B. Receives and responds to requests for information.
C. Composes documents and reports.
D. Serves as staff liaison with downtown association.
5. Performs economic development expansion duties.
A. Works to know and serve customers.
B. Clearly understands the basics functions and responsibilities of expanding businesses.
C. Develops effective action plan to address development issues or concerns.
D. Keeps all divisions and departments informed on a timely basis.
E. Attends and participates in economic development expansion meetings.
F. Achieves the City of Elk River's development goals.
6. Performs other essential job duties.
A. Regular and timely work attendance.
B. Follows all safety procedures.
C. Participates in safety training.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
^ Knowledge of industrial and commercial development.
^ Knowledge of central business district redevelopment.
^ Knowledge of community marketing and promotion.
^ Knowledge of Tax Increment Financing and Tax Abatement.
^ Knowledge of GAP financing and low interest loan programs.
^ Knowledge of housing programs.
^ Knowledge of growth issues.
^ Skill in business retention and recruitment.
^ Skill in working within the framework of a strategic plan.
^ Ability to work with various appointed and elected officials and boards.
^ Ability to use spreadsheet, word processing, and database software proficiently.
^ Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
^ Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with others.
^ Ability to comprehend the City of Elk River's Strategic Plan for Economic Development
and the Strategic Industrial Marketing Plan.
Minimum Qualifications
^ Four-year degree in business administration, community development, public administration,
or related field with extensive course work in economics, marketing, and finance.
^ One-year experience applying economic development principals and theories.
^ Valid driver's license.
Preferred Qualifications
^ Additional years of economic development experience.
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Economic Development Assistant (2).doc