Economic Development Specialist

While the last few years have brought unprecedent economic challenges to Southeast Michigan, it has also reinforced why Royal Oak is one of the region’s most desired cities for businesses and families to call home.

It is a vibrant community of people who care deeply about their neighbors, their neighborhoods, and their small business community.  A city that has always valued the arts and cultural diversity as engines of progress.   Named one of Livability’s Top 100 Cities to Live, Royal Oak boasts an award-winning school district with six public elementary schools, a public middle school and a public high school that serves 5,000 students.  And with close to 50 beautiful parks, there is always a place to stop and take life in for the young or young at heart. 

As we enter 2023, nearly $200 million in new projects are underway or nearing completion throughout the city, and Royal Oak is seeking a passionate, innovative, and highly responsible person to support the city’s economic development initiatives. 

An Economic Development Specialist works under the supervision of the deputy city manager and provides resources and technical assistance to businesses contemplating investment and growth in the City of Royal Oak by linking them to appropriate local, regional, state, and federal resources and programs. This position acts as a technical representative to both local and non-resident businesses to coordinate available assistance and to perform advocacy functions for these businesses, including navigating the city’s regulatory functions. The Economic Development Specialist develops and maintains communications with area businesses and other interested groups to gather and disseminate pertinent information regarding business needs and economic development services.

An Economic Development Specialist may be called upon to do any of the following (These examples do not include all of the duties which the employee may be expected to perform):

• Provide professional expertise and assist in organizing and coordinating the city’s economic development efforts;
• Acts as a representative to both local and non-resident businesses in order to coordinate available city assistance and to perform advocacy for these businesses;
• Assists in the preparation of marketing plans and strategy;
• Educates the business community about the city’s sustainability initiatives and incentive opportunities facilitating green infrastructure investments;
• Acts as a marketing representative for the city to attract new business to the city;
• Develops and maintains communication with area businesses and other interested groups to gather and disseminate pertinent information regarding business needs and economic development services;
• Communicates and coordinates the city’s development efforts with county, state, federal and private economic development agencies, and programs;
• Updates the city’s economic development website;
• Maintains records of departmental expenditures and program activities;
• Prepares resolutions, memorandums, and correspondence and other documentation for the City Manager’s office;
• Responsible for researching topics when assigned, compiling, gathering, and organizing a database or data relating to program administration and grant proposals;
• Acts as team leader for special projects as requested;
• Represents the city at meetings and public hearings as assigned;
• Operates an automobile while performing assigned job and duties;
• Perform other work as assigned.

An Economic Development Specialist, upon application, shall have the following experience and training:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in training and experience;
• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in economic or commercial real estate development, community planning, or equivalent;
• A valid Michigan Operator’s License, or ability to obtain one within a reasonable amount of time.

A Economic Development Specialist may be called upon to do all the following: (These examples do not include all the tasks the employee may be expected to perform.)

• Ability to establish and maintaincooperative working relationships with city officials, businesses, contractors and members of the public, coworkers and other agencies ;
• Ability to communicate effectively and to present oral, written, and graphic reports;
• Ability to drive a motor vehicle to and from work sites;
• Ability to prepare and present technical written and oral reports in a clear and logical manner;
• Ability to establish and coordinate effective working relationships with co-workers, outside agencies, and the public;
• Effective analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Knowledge of professional principles of community and economic development;
• Skill in the use of modern office equipment;
• Desired proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, and ability to master other software as needed.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the 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 communicate in person and by phone, read regular and small print, sit, use limited mobility in an office setting, use manual dexterity to type and enter data, use sight to read and prepare documents and reports. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms to grasp, hold, use keyboard and carry equipment.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop, bend, kneel and/or crouch to inspect conditions. The employee will occasionally lift equipment of light to moderate weight.

The typical work environment for this job is an office setting where the noise level is quiet to moderate, but travel to other locations is also necessary. While performing the duties of this job the employee may work outdoors and must be able to tolerate working in changing weather conditions.