To Apply

Submit application at the following link:  https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/wausauwi/

Salary Information

Starting annual salary $99,860.80 or higher DOQ.  This position is classified as Exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). 

Purpose of the Position

The Community & Economic Development Director is responsible for the coordination of the City’s Economic Development Division, Community Development Division, Planning Division, and acts as the Executive Director of the Wausau Community Development Authority. The position provides direction and oversight for all department functions including, supervision of department activities, strategic planning, programs and personnel, implementing economic and community development, planning, redevelopment and housing authority functions for the City of Wausau and the Wausau Community Development Authority.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Promotes commercial and retail business development and oversees the City’s marketing strategy.  Promotes Wausau as a great place to live, work, start and grow a business, and play. 
2. Develops strategic communication initiatives to enhance the City’s image and engage citizens and stakeholders through multiple platforms, including social medial and press releases.  Collaborates with the Mayor and elected officials on messaging. 
3. Guides the City’s Comprehensive Plan and community planning processes, including contributing to the Planning Commission and professional consultation to the City’s zoning ordinance with the City Planner.  Launches strategic planning processes and establishes best practices for City of Wausau, MCDEVCO, Community Development Authority and department.
4. Supervises professional staff to ensure effective administration of programs related to planning, urban design, economic development, and property redevelopment.  Oversees the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
5. Manages annual budgets for the Department and the Community Development Authority.
6. Develops and executes requests for proposals (RFP’s), agreements, and contracts, and monitors compliance.
7. Implements, reviews, and revises housing programs to increase self-sufficiency in the community within legal standards.  Initiates urban renewal strategies and negotiates with private developers/landowners.  Designs financing and proposes new development support program(s).
8. Leads various community boards and organizations focused economic and community development (e.g., City of Wausau’s Entrepreneurial & Education Center and Marathon County Economic Development Corporation (MCDEVCO) gap loan committees).  Serves as a liaison for County economic development strategies.  Staffs Economic Development Committee.  Prepares and makes public presentations to boards, committees, and organizations as needed. 
9. Develops re-development plans and recommends property repurposing for better uses.  Reviews and approves re-development documents.
10. Researches and analyzes legislation, rules, regulations, and professional best practices for community development, workforce development, and housing matters.  Prepares recommendations for committees and commissioners.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Selects, trains, mentors, and evaluates Community, Planning and Economic Development employees.  Provides work guidance to employees.
• Works with other organizations and non-profits to establish capital requirements for improvements including new facilities and/or redevelopment of high-impact community properties.
• Initiates and collaborates with foundations, private sector groups and individuals with the capacity to launch initiatives in protective services, arts, culture, recreation and economic development.    
• Participates in civic and other organizations on development, workforce, housing issues.
• Acts on behalf of the City of Wausau and represents City at various functions including ground breakings, press conferences, and open houses.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Community Development, Economic Development, Pubic Administration, or related field; and 
• Ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible experience in community and economic development/redevelopment, program formulation, operation and administration; and
• A valid Wisconsin motor vehicle operator's license or access to reliable transportation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree of Business Administration concentrated in Marketing or Finance and/or in Urban/Regional Planning, Public Administration, Economics or related field. 
• Previous experience as a Director of a planning, community or economic development department, agency or commission.
• Certification of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or like professional designation.

A combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Ability to perform at a proficient level all functions of MS Office suite products.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing in a professional manner with City Council and Committee members, Community Development Authority board members, business owners/operators, City property tenants, Department personnel, other City Department personnel, attorneys, architects, engineers, State agency personnel and news media representatives.
• Ability to manage and direct a group of workers, including the ability to provide counseling and mediation. Ability to persuade, convince and train others.  Ability to obtain consensus.  Ability to advise and interpret regarding the application of policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.
• Ability to modify existing policies, strategies and/or methods to meet unusual conditions within the context of existing management principles.  Ability to analyze and categorize data and information, in order to determine consequences and to identify and select alternatives.  Ability to decide the time, place and sequence of operations within an organizational framework, as well as the ability to oversee their execution.
• Ability to utilize a variety of advisory and design data and information such as financial statements, housing authority documents and reports, grant applications, job applications, housing plans, agreements, audit reports, budgets, re-development plans, maps, progress reports, contracts, press releases, HUD regulations, ordinances, State statutes, FLSA, census data, employee handbooks and accounting methods.
• Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the direction, control and planning of an entire program or multiple programs.
• Ability to use functional reasoning in performing synthesis functions.
• Ability to calculate percentages, fractions, decimals, volumes, ratios, present values, and spatial relationships. Ability to interpret basic descriptive statistical reports.
• Ability to operate, maneuver and/or steer equipment and machinery requiring simple but continuous adjustments, such as computer keyboard/terminal.
• Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing slightly skilled movements such as typing.
• Ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, typically involving lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling.

Physical and Working Environment

Limited exposure to disagreeable elements such as dirt, temperature fluctuations, and/or limited exposure to weather conditions.  Limited travel within the City of Wausau.  Normal mental and visual attention is required.  Light physical demands to include bending, twisting, turning, and light lifting.  Limited exposure to workplace hazards.