Employment Opportunities with the City of Ogallala
The City of Ogallala, Nebraska (5,107) is looking for a dynamic leader to serve as its economic development coordinator. The City is poised for economic growth as it looks to focus its energy on its economy. While the position will seek to recruit businesses to the community, it will also need to be filled by an individual who can help create programs that provide entrepreneurial opportunities and that grow and retain current employers of the community. The position will require someone with good communication and collaborative skills. Complete job description and an application may be viewed at www.ogallala-ne.gov. Application and Resume may be submitted to: Harold Stewart, City Manager, at 411 East 2nd Street, Ogallala, NE, 69153; or electronically at harold.stewart@ogallala-ne.gov. The position will remain open until filled. Salary $57,203-$81,471, DOQ.
City of Ogallala Employment Application
City of Ogallala, Nebraska
Position Description
Class Title: Economic Development Coordinator
Department: Administration
Salary Range:
Date Effective:
GENERAL PURPOSE:
Performs a variety of leadership, supervisory, administrative, and professional work in the design and implementation of economic development strategies, programs and services.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Works under the general guidance and direction of the City Manager.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
None.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provides leadership and direction in the development of short and long range plans regarding economic development; gathers, interprets, and prepares data for studies, reports and recommendations; coordinates economic development activities with other departments and agencies as needed.
Manages and supervises economic development activities and programs to achieve goals within available resources; plans and organizes workloads; reviews progress and directs changes as needed.
Creates and oversees programs to encourage the creation of new employers within the community and surrounding area.
Travels as a representative of the City to meet with prospective employers, to attend economic development related meetings, and to make appropriate contacts pertaining to economic development within the community. Such travel may extend over multiple days.
Actively recruits established employers to relocate within the City and its surrounding area.
Coordinates prospective business recruiting efforts and site visits.
Performs a comprehensive study of local businesses and their potential for growth, while offering potential direction for assistance; assesses needs of current employers within the City and surrounding area; prioritizes the needs as to which are the best investment of resources; and makes recommendations on how to help grow and retain current employers within the community.
Leads and/or participates in activities and programs to increase the number of qualified applicants for job openings within the community.
Leads and/or participates in activities and programs to promote entrepreneurship.
Provides staff support to various boards and commissions, as needed and assigned. Monitors inter-governmental decisions and legislation affecting department operations and takes appropriate action.
Serves when needed as a leader and/or member of a task force or committee composed of city, county, state or private groups.
Maintains a positive working relationship with Keith County Area Development, Community Redevelopment Authority, Keith County, the Chamber of Commerce, the Keith County Community Foundation, and other organizations involved with economic development.
Provides professional advice to the city manager; makes presentations to councils, boards, commissions, civic groups and the general public.
Seeks and applies for grants or other funding applicable to economic development. Administers and manages appropriate records for grants and other funding used for economic development.
Responds to local citizens inquiring about economic development, assists in the resolution of complex disputes regarding economic development, as required.
Attends professional development workshops and conferences to keep abreast of trends and developments in the field of economic development.
Prepares a variety of studies, reports and related information for decision-making purposes.
Negotiates, coordinates and manages professional service contracts.
Serves as a member of various staff committees as assigned.
Ensures that economic development efforts are in compliance with all laws and ordinances.
Prepares and administers annual operating budget.
Assures that assigned areas of responsibility are performed within budget; performs cost control activities; monitors revenues and expenditures in assigned area to assure sound fiscal control; prepares annual budget requests; assures effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities, and time.
Ensures the maintenance of accurate and complete records of department activities, economic development programs and projects.
Other duties as assigned by the city manager.
PERIPHERAL DUTIES:
Assist other City Departments as required or assigned.
Assists city staff in the enforcement of City Redevelopment Plan.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience:
(A) Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with a degree in economic development, community development, public administration, political science, business management, or a closely related field.
Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
(A) Thorough knowledge of economic development laws and redevelopment plans including their formation, process of adoption, and enforcement; Extensive knowledge of economic development programs and processes; Working knowledge of personal computers; Considerable knowledge of HUD Community Development Block Grant and other economic development programs;
(B) The ability to build collaborative partnerships and to create and maintain positive relationships with individual persons, entities, and groups;
(C) Grant writing experience and grant administration;
(D) Ability to prepare and analyze comprehensive reports; ability to carry out assigned projects to their completion; ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, city officials and the public.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
(A) Valid State Driver's License, or ability to obtain one prior to employment;
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
(A) Minimum of three (3) years of experience in economic development;
(B) Any equivalent combination of education and experience, with additional education substituting on a year for year basis for the required experience;
(C) Any recent training such as academic courses and certification programs which are relevant to economic development, such as a CED;
(D) Website development and maintenance;
(E) Experience as an executive director of an organization or committee.
(F) Experience recruiting employers in the arenas of higher education, health care, renewable energy, and/or agriculture.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:
Requires frequent use of personal computer, including word processing and spreadsheet programs; calculator, telephone, copy machine and fax machine.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.
SELECTION GUIDELINES:
Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview; reference check; job related tests may be required.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to 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.