<p>Reports to: Econ Development Manager Class Code: 1921</p> <p>Grade: 108 FLSA: Exempt</p> <p>Hourly Rate: $37.95 ~ $47.54</p> <p>Reports to the Economic Development Manager</p> <p>FLSA- Exempt</p> <p>NATURE OF WORK</p> <p>Serves the public with planning and coordination with focus on community, development, economic and quality of life issues. The role connects business and economic development initiatives with community enhancements and will balance multiple engagement avenues. It involves community engagement, revitalization strategies and working with business owners, stakeholders, and development partners to create vibrant, economically resilient communities.</p> <p>Work requires ability to strategize to align, connect, and develop resources to ensure success of plan. The role will require establishing and implementing new initiatives to meet City and Department goals. The position will involve activities with public funding sources including local, state, and federal. Additionally, the role will involve a high-level of inter-division collaboration.</p> <p>The position has considerable interface with all departments of the City and City Council</p> <p>DISTINGUISHING FEATURES</p> <p>This is a professional project-management position responsible for the implementation, development and creation of activities to achieve the community's vision and goals. Work is characterized by considerable contact with community groups, agencies, and businesses.</p> <p>ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (These essential duties are only illustrative.)</p> <p>Coordinate and develop City programs for resident and neighborhood engagement and enhancement such as the Neighborhood Sign Program.</p> <p>Develops and implements community development and engagement strategies related to City initiatives and projects.</p> <p>Collaborates on the creation of community programs using Cannabis Tax. Implements programs including creation, administration, and reporting.</p> <p>Develops "corridor concept" for City and provide leads for projects to the Economic Development Coordinator for corridor enhancements.</p> <p>Coordinates funding programs that enhance corridors such as the State Cultural District Designation.</p> <p>Manages assigned development and redevelopment projects, monitoring performance and compliance.</p> <p>Leads engagement with community partners and overseeing compliance, communication, tracking, reporting and other requirements.</p> <p>Is familiar with cost reduction tools such as Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Enterprise Zone, River Edge Redevelopment Zone, Community Development Block Grant, and other local, state, and federal programs and understands where applicable and how to implement</p> <p>Researches, plans, and implements retail and commercial recruitment and with Economic Development Manager and CED Director.</p> <p>Conducts data analysis and prepares economic reports to support projects and public funding impact.</p> <p>Coordinates City's Business First, enhancing the Program and increasing participation through communication channels, partnerships and engagement.</p> <p>Builds and maintains relationships with residents, business district associations, neighborhood groups, nonprofits, and community partners.</p> <p>Plans, coordinates, and facilitates public meetings, workshops, forums and listening sessions. Presents and represents City.</p> <p>Collaborates with economic development, planning, and communications staff to align messaging</p> <p>Coordinates economic development community communication such as newsletters, social media, and other methods.</p> <p>Represents the City at community events, meetings, and forums</p> <p>Attends various departmental and division staff meetings, as well as City Council Planning and Development Committee meetings. Makes public presentations and responds to questions and comments.</p> <p>Presents technical policy options for consideration by Administration and City Council.</p> <p>Serves as the liaison between the local government and Community based organizations.</p> <p>Maintains reasonable and predictable attendance.</p> <p>Builds and maintains relationships with residents, business district associations, neighborhood groups, nonprofits, and community partners.</p> <p>Leads CRM data management for the Economic Development Division. Tracks engagement metrics, participation data, and reporting requirements</p> <p>.</p> <p>Leads City's Business Retention Expansion (BRE) Program. Coordinates program, aligning focus with City and Department goals, coordinating with partners and stakeholders, along with Economic Development Manager set goals and priorities.</p> <p>SUPERVISION RECEIVED</p> <p>Works under the general supervision of the Economic Development Manager with additional guidance provided by the Community Development Director and City Administrator.</p> <p>Work is performed according to extensive state and federal regulations particularly at times when utilizing EZ, CDBG, EDA, and TIF financing. Work is reviewed through established city, department, and program checks and balances, with substantive policy and procedural changes, major expenditures or special projects being reviewed by the department director or other city officials. Work is reviewed annually for overall results achieved.</p> <p>SUPERVISION EXERCISED</p> <p>Supervision of staff is not a direct responsibility of this position although it may oversee individuals assigned to assist in the implementation of specific projects. May coordinate efforts of various agencies responsible for development services.</p> <p>SUCCESS FACTORS (KSA's)</p> <p>Considerable specialized knowledge of community engagement and economic development, specifically regarding community planning, business attraction and retention, organization capacity-building, and collective impact.</p> <p>Considerable specialized knowledge relevant to the needs of the assigned program, e.g., community organizing, collective impact, community planning, etc.</p> <p>Knowledge of program management and evaluation of principles and techniques.</p> <p>Knowledge of effective grant writing and/or grant monitoring processes.</p> <p>Ability to build relationships with diverse populations. Highly effective communicator. Multi-lingual skills are a plus.</p> <p>Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with the public, community stakeholders, service providers, law enforcement, coworkers, aldermen, among others.</p> <p>Ability to interpret and explain program information to others and to follow procedures and regulations.</p> <p>Ability to maintain required records and files and confidentiality when deemed appropriate.</p> <p>Knowledge of complex and discretionary elements of real estate development activities, including project management and coordination of various ad hoc inter/intra departmental project teams.</p> <p>Knowledge of local, state, and federal public funding sources. Specific knowledge regarding funding sources and how to implement into programs</p> <p>Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and to make effective presentations in meetings and using PowerPoint when appropriate.</p> <p>Ability to manage multiple programs and projects.</p> <p>EDUCATION, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE</p> <p>Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Real Estate, Public Administration, Planning, Marketing, Economics, or related field with a minimum of 3 years progressively increasing experience in the public or private sector. Any satisfactory equivalent combination of experience and training which ensures the ability to perform the work may be substituted for the required experience.</p> <p>NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS</p> <p>Possession of a valid Illinois driver's license.</p> <p>Residency requirement:</p> <p>All employees (except Police and Fire) shall reside anywhere in Winnebago County or anywhere within fifteen (15) miles of the Rockford City Hall within six (6) months of completion of their introductory period, department heads and City Administrator shall live within the municipal boundaries of the City of Rockford within six (6) months of their completion of their introductory period.</p> <p>Position : 000337802</p> <p>Type : INTERNAL & EXTERNAL</p> <p>Location : CD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT</p> <p>Group : EXEMPT NON</p> <p>Job Class : COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & DEVELOP</p> <p>Posting End : 05/15/2026</p> <p>Details : BENEFITS</p> <p>linkCopy Job Detail Link linkCopy Direct To Application Link'); return false;" id="Target">share</p>