Education: Bachelor's degree with major course work in planning, geography, economics, business or public administration, business finance or a related field. Experience: Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience (minimum of four years which include management and/or supervision) in the economic development and/or planning profession. In evaluating candidates for this position, the City may consider a combination of education, training and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of this position. Competencies in areas such as business retention and expansion, real estate development and reuse, and economic development finance/credit analysis preferred. Certifications/Licenses: Possession of, or ability to obtain certification as a member of the American Planning Association (APA) or American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) within one (1) year of the date of employment. Such certification shall be maintained as an ongoing condition of employment. Economic development financing certification by National Development Council (NDC), International Economic Development Council (IEDC), preferred. Must possess a valid Wisconsin driver's license. Desired Qualifications Education: Master’s degree in planning, business or public administration or a related field. Certifications/Licenses: EDC certification as a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD).
Directs and administers the City’s Community Development and Planning functions. Responsible for initiating, directing and supervising of all matters related to community and economic development and city planning.
Supervision Received
Works under the general guidance and direction of the City Manager.
Supervision Exercised
Supervises directly the Zoning Administrator/Inspections Assistant, contracted Building Inspector, Electrical Inspector and Plumbing Inspector. Provides day-to-day supervision of Tourism Director, who also receives programmatic and project direction from the Board of Directors of Explore Two Rivers, Inc. May be assigned additional supervisory responsibilities by the City Manager.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Administers all community and business development loan and incentive programs, redevelopment, blight elimination, brownfields and housing assistance programs.
- Presents studies, conduct public hearings, and provide written and verbal reports and recommendations to the City Manager and City Council, as well as various City boards and committees.
- Engages with staff of various City departments in preparing and presenting such studies, reports and presentations.
- Works with developers, as needed, to guide them through the development process and to serve as an effective information resource; coordinates activities between departments and other entities relating to community development issues and projects.
- Works with community, area and regional organizations that assist in community and economic development, including Two Rivers Main Street, Progress Lakeshore, Chamber of Manitowoc County, New North and others, to promote economic development in Two Rivers.
- Oversees and implements policies regarding the City’s industrial parks, including the coordination of all land sales, options/rights of first refusal, administration of protective covenants and development activities within the parks.
- Administers State and Federally-funded programs including grants for community and economic development, brownfields, the Community Development Block Grant Program.
- Prepares, submits, and handles all communications for City grant applications related to community and economic development.
- Administers all grants related to community and economic development.
- Works with existing local businesses to address their needs, to retain such businesses and assist them in new investment and expansion in the community.
- Recruits new businesses to move to Two Rivers.
- Serves as a point of contact and resource for potential start-up businesses; refers such start-ups to appropriate resources.
- Manages the City’s TIF districts, with duties that include including new district creation, amendments, reporting and close-out, in cooperation with Finance Department.
- With the City Manager and City Attorney, is responsible for crafting TIF-related development agreements with private developers, for action by City Council; responsible for ongoing administration of such development agreements.
- Assists in pursuing various means of financing support for business and industry.
- Actively monitors Federal and State legislation and program proposals impacting local planning, zoning, community and economic development; advises City Manager and City Council on such matters.
- Stays current on new laws, grant programs and financing tools related to local community and economic development; develops strategies to take advantage of such new laws, grants and financing tools for the benefit of Two Rivers.
- Oversees contract with realtor responsible for marketing the City’s Sandy Bay Highlands Conservation Subdivision.
- Develops, initiates, and provides assistance to special projects such as programs for neighborhood blight elimination and redevelopment.
- Administers the activities of the Department, including the assignment of work activities for projects and programs undertaken and maintaining the City’s comprehensive plan, ordinance revisions, and documents related to land use policy and zoning.
- Directly advises the City Manager and City Council, along with other boards and committees as directed by the City Manager.
- Works with the Engineering Department to optimize use of the City’s computerized Geographic Information System for planning and community development purposes.
- Provides staff support to the Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals, working with the Zoning Administrator/Inspections Assistant. Provides staff support to TIF Joint Review Board.
- Oversees all updates and amendments to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Develops, presents and administers action plans for plan implementations.
- Reviews and presents recommendations regarding all zoning and Official Map text and map amendments, subdivisions, vacations, site plans and other planning documents to various public bodies for their review, including holding of public hearings in conjunction with the Zoning Administrator and other staff.
- Reviews and administers the budgets for Community Development/Planning and Zoning/Inspections.
- Regularly attends meetings of the City Council, Plan Commission, Business and Industrial Development Committee and Community Development Authority; attends meetings of other committees as required.
- Serve as Executive Director of the Business and Industrial Development Committee and the Community Development Authority.
- Manages consultant selection, contracts, and evaluation for planning, zoning, community and economic development related consultant services.
- Coaches, trains, and evaluates supervised staff per City policies and procedures.
- Serves as a member of the City’s senior management team, advising the City Manager and City Council on major policy issues.
A full position description and City employment application are available at www.two-rivers.org/jobs. Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and completed City employment application to HR@two-rivers.org or by mail to: City of Two Rivers, Attn: Human Resources, PO Box 87, Two Rivers WI 54241. Applications should be submitted by Friday, September 20, 2024 to ensure consideration, however applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. Contact Human Resources at 920-793-5526 or HR@two-rivers.org with questions.