Planning and Economic Development Specialist

Purpose: The Planning & Economic Development Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day administration of LRCOG’s Planning and Economic Development projects as assigned. The PED Specialist is responsible for assuring that all activities carried out are timely and in compliance with the appropriate administrative regulations of the federal, state and local agencies of government.

Supervisory Controls: The Planning & Economic Development Specialist works under the administrative direction of the Planning & Economic Development Director. Supervisor sets overall objectives and the employee and supervisor work together to develop the deadlines, projects, and work to be done; employee is responsible for planning and carrying out the assignment; and work is reviewed from an overall standpoint.

Direct Reports: None.

Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Administers Federal, State and Local programs, grants, and contracts that are assigned, so that the tasks are accomplished, and programs are administered in accordance with applicable guidelines.

2. Organizes and/or performs data collection, recording, tabulation, processing, interpretation, and analysis of information to be available for use in preparing required grants, reports, and studies. Coordinates with the PED Director to ensure timeliness and validity of statistical data.

3. Writes and reviews technical plans material and reports in order to assure timeliness, accuracy, quality, and meeting of acceptable standards are complete prior to publication. Informs the PED Director on program status, balance of work to be performed, and plans for accomplishing work.

4. Performs project reviews with the PED Director to provide current status/updates and prepares/submits necessary reports in a timely manner.

5. Maintains records/files of grants and contracts and related activities to document such activities for monitoring by awarding agencies and to prepare timely reports as required by awarding agencies.

6. Exchanges information with local governments to administer contracts and grants, making sure federal, state, and local laws are complied with, proper notices are posted, hearings are held, bid laws followed, documentation properly kept, reports filed, and applicable regulations are followed.

7. Consults with other development agencies, business leaders, government officials, etc. to establish projects or programs that enhance the regional economy, and participates in national, state, and local economic and community development networks to maintain information/awareness of current trends.

8. Writes grant applications for LRCOG and member governments to apply funds to carry out tasks that benefit the LRCOG region.

9. Attends conferences and training sessions as required by LRCOG and other agencies as deemed appropriate in order to enhance job performance.

10. Maintains communication, coordination, and cooperations with LRCOG staff, Planning and Economic Development Director, Executive Director and member governments.

11. Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

1. Knowledge of state and federal guidelines, to include program regulations, availability of grants, and other legislation impacting the lives of the elderly.

2. Knowledge of the principles of community economic development as related to local governments.

3. Strong communication skills, both oral and written.

4. Ability to read and interpret complex written guidelines and to initiate new programs.

5. Ability to analyze a wide variety of complex data and to exercise independent judgment in arriving at conclusions.

Required Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s Degree in planning, urban studies, public administration, economics, business administration, or a related field, with at least two (2) years of related work experience.

2. Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as papers, books, small parts; driving an automobile, etc. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

Provide at least three professional references and a writing sample related to a grant, contract, or program you have worked on.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: From $46,200.00 per year

Expected hours: No less than 40 per week

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work setting:

• In-person
• Office

Application Question(s):

• How many professional references did you provide with your resume or additional documentation?
• Did you attached a writing sample related to a grant or program you worked on?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• related work: 2 years (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Opelika, AL 36801: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person