LEAP is excited to announce the team is growing and we are hoping you will share the attached job description with your friends, family and colleagues.   We are seeking a dynamic and energetic person to fill the open Economic Development Specialist position working in the Business Development Unit here at LEAP. 

Title: Economic Development Specialist II
Company Name: Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP)
Compensation: Salaried at $45,000 - $50,000 (with performance pay possibilities, 6% 401(k) match, “gold standard” health care benefits including medical, dental, vision, a diverse environment and generous personal time/holidays). The physical office, itself, is exceptional with free parking and is located in the heart of an urban center (REO Town and downtown Lansing).
FSLA/Position Type: Exempt (Fulltime)
Reports to: Karl Dorshimer, Director of Business Development

Position Description:

Seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking professional who has a passion for economic development and wants to take their career to the next-level. This position is a great opportunity to start or upgrade your career by helping create good jobs and great places for the people in the Lansing, Michigan region. The Economic Development Specialist II will work closely with businesses, developers, government, communities and neighborhoods, generating real and lasting results that will change lives and make our region a better place to live.

The Economic Development Specialist will assist LEAP in implementing its mission of providing business expansion, attraction, and retention services and helping redevelop blighted, vacant and contaminated properties. The Economic Development Specialist will work with the Business Development unit of LEAP to help shape and promote the culture of economic development for the Lansing region. The Economic Development Specialist II must possess a strong sense of commitment and teamwork, passion and vision, a willingness to learn, and the desire to help change and impact the region’s tri-county area.

Responsibilities:

•   Conducting meetings with businesses, local, state and national development professionals and others to discuss development opportunities and economic development programs and incentives.

    Assist businesses and developers with qualifying and applying for local, state and national economic development programs and incentives.

    Assist in gaining local, state and federal approval for economic development incentives, grants and other programs.

    Attend public meetings, provide presentations, and/or represent the community, businesses and developers.

    Conduct administrative and accounting work related to economic development activities, working closely with LEAP’s Controller.

    Work with environmental consultants and local communities in utilizing state and federal funds.

    Perform ongoing monitoring, tracking and auditing of projects, grants, programs and loans.

    Work on all aspects of Brownfield redevelopment including Brownfield plans, approvals,

  implementation, monitoring, reimbursement, accounting, monitoring and reporting.

    Represent LEAP on various committees/boards of collaborating organizations and public bodies

  (most meetings are held during traditional business hours, however; some night meetings will be

  required).

    Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

  Qualifications:

    Bachelor's degree in public affairs, communication, public administration, business administration, marketing, economics, finance or similar is required.

    A working knowledge and understanding of basic concepts and techniques of economic development.

   A familiarity or working knowledge of economic development programs, including, but not limited to Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), Michigan Business Development Program (BDP), Michigan Community Revitalization Program (CRP), property tax abatements and Brownfield redevelopment.

  Skills Necessary:

    Demonstrate resourcefulness in setting priorities, proposing new ways of creating efficiencies for areas of oversight and organization wide.

    Ability to organize and meet deadlines for a wide variety of ad hoc requests.

    Strong analytical, interpersonal, written and oral communication skills; able to communicate with

  a broad and diverse audience of all levels.

    Possess a strong working knowledge of the Internet and proficient use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint software.

    Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

    Demonstrate capacity for creative planning and implementation.

    Ability to work both independently and in a collaborative team environment.

    Demonstrate a high level of self-direction and strong desire to achieve results.

    Ability to maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive information. Absolute integrity and discretion essential.

    Must have reliable transportation for travel throughout the region. Transportation costs are

  covered through mileage reimbursement.