City of Wheat Ridge Job Application must be submitted to be considered for this position - www.ci.wheatridge.co.us.

Perform professional management of urban renewal and economic development projects including business recruitment, retention and redevelopment opportunities, marketing, and developer solicitation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The following duties are illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive:

Serve as Executive Director to the Renewal Wheat Ridge, the City’s Urban Renewal Authority; assist with the development and implementation of redevelopment strategies, urban renewal plans, and/or plans and programs to attract businesses; represent the City in negotiations with developers and businesses; communicates with residents, businesses, and property owners in urban renewal areas; addresses retention and expansion of existing businesses; assists with marketing opportunities to developers, realtors, and investors; markets; assist in structuring development and redevelopment incentive packages and public private financing structures.

Prepare strategies to market areas; assist with development and implementation of goals, objectives, and policies; direct, write, and produce programs to enhance City’s image; implement the tasks and strategies outlined in the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan.

Publicize the services of the economic development program through interactions with local businesses, community members, regional economic development partners and the commercial real estate brokerage and development communities; collect organize, and analyze information about local businesses and available space; maintain database of pertinent information; create customized reports in response to requests from businesses, property owners, government agencies, the community, and City departments. Provide advice and consultation to emerging and established businesses in the City, including start-up information, marketing and business strategy.

Serve as the liaison between the City and affiliated economic development partners, including: Wheat Ridge Business District, Enterprise Wheat Ridge, Jefferson Economic Council, Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, West Chamber, WR2020, Applewood Business Association, Jefferson County Business Resource Center, etc.

Lead City’s business retention and expansion program; represent the City’s economic development program at local, regional and state economic development forums; provide first point of contact for businesses, citizens, and others with regard to business retention program through questioning, determine customer needs and provide the information or assistance to satisfy customer needs; respond to inquiries and work to resolve any concerns or complaints from customers; provide assistance to businesses and/or developers in navigating City approval processes.

Contact new businesses in the City to market economic development services and to determine specific needs; monitor online and print media for information pertinent to businesses within the City of Wheat Ridge; develop and implement a marketing program aimed at existing business opportunities.

Serve as a representative of the department; attend and participate in meetings and seminars with members of the business community and others involved with department programs.

Prepare, administer, and implement annual operating budget for the division and exercise control over expenditures of budget and funds. Perform related work as required and assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Work under the direct supervision of the City Manager as part of the City’s economic development team, comprised of the City Manager, Community Development Director and Economic Development Manager.

Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions:

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge – Principles and practices of online and Internet information search capabilities; general knowledge of reference tools, both print and media; principles, practices and techniques of business and marketing; Colorado real estate law and practice; economics; economic development, real estate finance and public private financing, working knowledge of applicable state and federal laws, Colorado Urban Renewal law, the City charter and codes; methods utilized in forecasting, monitoring, planning, and developing divisional budget information.

Skills – Read, write and verbally communicate at a level appropriate to the duties of the position; skill in the operation of equipment necessary to perform the functions of the job; excellent computer skills; and, written and verbal communication skills. Requires initiative, organizational and time management skills; solid interpersonal and problem-solving skills, professional demeanor, speaking and written communication skills; solid public relations skills are essential.

Abilities – Possess abilities in identifying relationships between issues, making plans for complex issues and events, and analyzing data; derive innovative solutions to difficult situations with little or no precedent; express and present ideas clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing; act with tact, good judgment and discretion; exercise independent judgment and evaluate program effectiveness and efficiency; exercise initiative and react resourcefully under deadline-oriented and multiple-demand conditions; demonstrate high degree of confidentiality, trustworthiness, and accuracy; work on several projects simultaneously and adapt to rapid changing priorities; communicate and interact with individuals or groups of individuals of diversity; establish and maintain effective working relationships. The incumbent should demonstrate the ability to skillfully negotiate on behalf of the City and the Authority; think independently and use logic along with all of the known facts to render appropriate decisions and direction in administrative matters.

EVIDENCE OF QUALIFICATIONS:

Training – Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Real Estate, or related field. Master’s Degree in same is preferred. CEDC certification is desirable.

Experience – Five (5) years of relevant experience in any of the aforementioned professions; public sector experience preferred

or

Any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides evidence the applicant possesses the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Possess a current and valid Colorado driver’s license or ability to obtain within thirty (30) days from date of hire.

Supplemental Information:

The Community

Wheat Ridge is a community known for our “deep roots and short commutes!” Centrally located between Denver and the I-70 corridor, Wheat Ridge has easy access to downtown Denver, DIA and the mountains. The approximately 32,000 people, who call Wheat Ridge home, enjoy over 250 acres of parks and recreational opportunities. Wheat Ridge has many comfortable neighborhoods, abundant open space, and beautiful mountain views, and an exceptional quality of life.

The City of Wheat Ridge was the first City in Colorado to develop a Neighborhood Revitalization Plan which is a product of collaboration between residents, the City of Wheat Ridge, housing and human service providers, the business community, and other stakeholders. To help implement the strategies, the City created an independent organization – Wheat Ridge 2020 (WR2020) - to undertake the strategies outlined in the Plan. As a result, several of the city’s residential housing units are being modernized and updated and the City adopted a new Comprehensive Plan “Envision Wheat Ridge” in the fall of 2009.

The City is reinventing itself. The Community Vision describes the kind of place that residents, community leaders and business owners want…a prominent and sustainable city. Wheat Ridge is growing its local economy to provide family wage jobs and thriving business districts. In addition, Wheat Ridge offers convenient transportation options, valuable services and a high quality of life for all residents.

Today the City of Wheat Ridge attracts families by combining the convenience of a large metropolitan area right next door, with the small town charm and sense of community from the past. The goals of Wheat Ridge are to build upon the foundation of the City’s assets and grow a broad and resilient local economy for the future.

Expectations

All team members are expected to adhere to the organizational values of ACTION and are responsible for contributing to the achievements of the organization and department. Team members are expected to continue to grow professionally and to apply their learning to their job setting.

A team member in this position can expect to be challenged by using their vision and self- direction to reinvent our community. The ideal candidate will use various types of communication and professional styles with the communities and will exercise high levels of independent decision making to acheive the desired results of the strategic plan.