POSITION SUMMARY:
The Economic Development Specialist serves as the lead coordination and implementation resource for economic development, redevelopment, workforce, and strategic partnership initiatives aligned with City priorities. The Specialist facilitates communication, tracks progress, reduces barriers, and supports cross-department collaboration from concept through implementation. The Specialist proactively carries out assigned responsibilities, identifies opportunities and challenges early, communicates issues and barriers proactively, builds collaborative relationships, and advances projects and initiatives with limited day-to-day direction while maintaining strong communication and alignment with City leadership, priorities, and collaborative workplace culture. As a member of the executive leadership team reporting directly to the City Administrator, the Specialist advances strategic growth, business retention, workforce partnerships, redevelopment, and economic development initiatives.
OBJECTIVES:
· Strengthen partnerships and collaboration with businesses, developers, utilities, educational institutions, workforce organizations, agencies, and community stakeholders to support long-term economic growth and investment.
· Support informed decision-making, strategic planning, and competitive site selection efforts through effective analysis, maintenance, and communication of economic, workforce, housing, infrastructure, transportation, and market-related information.
· Improve organizational alignment, transparency, communication, public understanding, and implementation effectiveness related to development and strategic initiatives through coordinated communication, stakeholder engagement, project tracking, reporting, dashboards, and status updates.
· Strengthen business attraction, retention, redevelopment, and workforce development efforts to support long-term economic growth, investment, and community vitality.
· Improve coordination and implementation effectiveness related to strategic development and redevelopment initiatives.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Responds to requests for information (RFIs), prepares site selection and community marketing materials, maintains development-related property and infrastructure information, and advances business recruitment and retention efforts.
· Leads coordination and implementation efforts related to strategic development, redevelopment, workforce partnership, and business attraction initiatives aligned with City priorities and initiatives.
· Builds and maintains collaborative working relationships with City departments, legal counsel, regional organizations, utilities, educational institutions, businesses, developers, and other stakeholders to support project implementation and strategic initiatives.
· Collects, maintains, analyzes, and communicates economic, demographic, workforce, housing, infrastructure, transportation, and market-related information to support planning, business attraction, redevelopment, and workforce development initiatives.
· Provides proactive communication to leadership regarding project status, stakeholder concerns, implementation challenges, emerging opportunities, risks, and recommended next steps related to assigned initiatives and responsibilities.
· Prepares reports, presentations, maps, graphics, briefing materials, agenda items, project updates, and communication materials related to development and strategic initiatives.
· Responds to inquiries from businesses, developers, property owners, residents, regional organizations, elected officials, and community stakeholders in a professional, solution-oriented and timely manner.
· Coordinates internal teams and external partners to identify issues early, facilitate problem solving, maintain communication, and advance effective implementation of strategic initiatives.
· Facilitates project intake, implementation tracking, reporting, communication, and organizational coordination activities related to development agreements, incentive programs, public-private partnerships, and strategic development initiatives.
· Tracks project status, milestones, and deliverables and prepares regular status updates, dashboards, and reports to communicate progress, risks, and key decisions to leadership.
· Manages redevelopment initiatives, incentive agreements, special districts, development agreements, infrastructure planning efforts, and other strategic development projects.
· Conducts and coordinates business retention and outreach efforts by maintaining relationships with existing businesses, identifying operational challenges and opportunities, facilitating communication with City departments and regional partners, and supporting business expansion, reinvestment, and long-term community investment.
· Leads administrative, operational, and project-related activities associated with development-related boards, commissions, special districts, and redevelopment entities, including preparation of agendas, resolutions, reports, presentations, compliance tracking, project updates, and related materials.
· Stays informed on economic development trends, workforce development strategies, redevelopment practices, municipal growth strategies, site selection trends, and related professional practices through ongoing training and professional development.
· Performs other related duties as required or assigned.
COMPETENCIES:
Economic Development and Strategic Planning
· Understanding of incentive agreements, development agreements, contracts, and related implementation processes
· Understanding of compliance monitoring, reporting requirements, and performance tracking
· Ability to evaluate project performance against established goals and metrics
· Familiarity with basic financial analysis and feasibility considerations
· Accountability and ownership of assigned projects, responsibilities, timelines, and outcomes
Organizational Awareness and Collaboration
· Ability to maintain proactive communication, organizational alignment, and collaborative working relationships while operating with a high degree of professional independence and initiative
· Cross-department collaboration and relationship building
· Ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders with differing priorities and perspectives
· Professionalism and sound judgment when working with diverse stakeholders and perspectives
· Adaptability to workplace culture, operational needs, and community expectations
· Ability to collaboratively solve problems and work toward practical, solution-oriented outcomes
· Professional, responsive, and solution-oriented customer service
· Ability to provide and receive direct feedback
Project Management and Execution
· Organization, prioritization, and time management
· Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and quality control
· Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, deadlines, and changing conditions simultaneously from initiation through completion
· Project coordination and implementation tracking
· Development and maintenance of detailed project plans, timelines, and milestones
Communication and Public Engagement
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills
· Public presentation and facilitation skills
· Ability to translate technical and operational information into understandable public communication
· Ability to prepare clear, concise status reports for leadership and the public
Data, Technology, and Administrative Systems
· Understanding of public records laws and requirements
· Records retention practices
· Municipal processes and administrative procedures
· Research, analysis, and interpretation of economic and demographic data
· Spreadsheet, database, mapping, and presentation software
· Microsoft Office and related technology systems
· Data tracking and reporting systems
· Development-related mapping and information tools
Problem Solving and Continuous Improvement
· Ability to proactively identify challenges, inefficiencies, and implementation barriers and develop practical, solution-oriented responses
· Process improvement and workflow refinement
· Creativity and strategic thinking
· Strong critical thinking and decision-making skills
· Willingness to learn and adapt
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s degree in real estate, finance, economics, public administration, urban planning or a related field, and at least three (3) years of experience in economic development, real estate development, or a related field, preferably in a public sector or local government environment; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, sills, and abilities for this job. Familiarity with public-private partnerships and incentive programs is highly desirable.
WORK SCHEDULE AND CONDITIONS:
The Economic Development Specialist is a full-time, FLSA-exempt position that requires attendance at evening meetings, development meetings, public meetings, community events, partner meetings, conferences and other City functions as needed. The position requires flexibility, commitment and accountability and the Specialist is expected to work the hours necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the role, which may exceed a standard 40-hour workweek. This is a results-driven position requiring a high degree of professional independence, initiative, accountability, sound judgment, organizational awareness, flexibility, and dedication to public service- as well as a genuine love of helping people and leaving things better than you found them. The work is challenging, fast-paced, and deeply rewarding for those motivated by making a visible difference in the community.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work is primarily performed in a standard office environment with occasional attendance at community events, meetings, conferences, and project sites. The employee may be required to sit for extended periods and occasionally lift items weighing up to 40 pounds.
ABOUT US:
The City of Kearney serves to create a thriving, sustainable and desirable community.
Our core values are integrity, compassion, service, and teamwork. We are honest and transparent in our communications and operations. We treat all people with respect and dignity. We express ourselves in a genuine and honest way. We apply the laws and rules that govern us to every decision we make and every action we take. We are kind, friendly and considerate towards the community and our colleagues, regardless of their status or disagreement with us. We listen well and seek to understand before responding. We nurture and embrace differing perspectives to make better decisions. We care about our community and are sensitive to its needs. We work towards mutually beneficial solutions to get to yes for positive outcomes. We believe learning never stops and are committed to continuous improvement. We admit mistakes freely and openly so that we can learn and become better. We are passionate about helping others and making Kearney a better place to live, work and visit. We recognize and appreciate that our differences make us stronger and smarter, allowing us to do amazing things for Kearney. We question actions inconsistent with our values and provide candid, helpful, and timely feedback to our colleagues. We take responsibility for our actions and decisions and following through on our commitments and promises. We value creativity, a positive attitude and enjoying ourselves at work.
The City of Kearney offers a comprehensive range of benefits with competitive rates, including medical, dental, and vision options, 13 paid holidays, 4 weeks paid vacation, sick time and the L-7 Missouri LAGERS retirement pension for all full-time employees. We also offer a wellness plan, tuition reimbursement, annual service awards and an Employee Assistance Program.
The City of Kearney is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce.
