Economic Development & Housing Director

Salary : $112,070.40 - $151,611.20 Annually
Location : Brooklyn Park, MN
Job Type: Regular Full-Time Benefited (40 Hours)
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2023-00134-KB
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 12/04/2023
Vacancies: 1
Address: City Hall, 5200 85th Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN
Posting Type: Open to the public
Position Summary
The City of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota's sixth largest municipality, seeks an Economic Development & Housing Director to join the Community Development Department's leadership team. This position plays a key role in helping the community achieve its vision: Brooklyn Park, a thriving community inspiring pride where opportunities exist for all.
This role offers an opportunity for a creative and talented person who is committed to continuous learning and advancing innovative projects and new approaches to Economic Development, housing and redevelopment. Collaborating closely with the Director of Community Development, the Economic Development & Housing Director provides the City's Economic Development Authority/Housing Redevelopment Authority (EDA) with strategic leadership and administrative staff support. The position is also responsible for the direction, management and leadership of a team of six to seven staff who manage the City's Economic Development and redevelopment initiatives, housing services, business development services and neighborhood preservation strategies.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Recruitment will continue until the position is filled, with first review of applications on Wednesday, January 3, 2024.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and direct six to seven division staff to include selection, training, motivation, program/project and work performance evaluation and review.
• In collaboration with other city leaders, develop policies, practices, and strategic initiatives that further the City's mission and the goals and objectives of the City Council/Economic Development Authority/Housing Redevelopment Authority.
• Oversee the negotiation and management of numerous professional services contracts, development agreements, and grant agreements, including large scale development contracts with complex financial arrangements.
• Administer division's budget, including tax increment financing and tax abatement districts, grant and revenue funds, and other special project funds.
• Oversee, direct, coordinate and/or assign special projects to include research, analysis, development, and implementation.
• Establish and maintain external relationships for the city.

Minimum and Desired Qualifications
Education

• Bachelor's degree in Community Development, Urban Studies, Public Administration, Real Estate or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience

• Six (6) years of progressively responsible administrative and management experience in Economic Development, business development/financing, redevelopment, housing, planning or closely related field.

Equivalency
An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position MAY be considered.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated success working in multicultural spaces and advancing economic inclusion strategies.
• Knowledge of structure, function, operations, programs and services of an Economic Development and Housing Division.
• Knowledge of business and public financing, real estate principles, housing development, and tax increment financing.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations applicable to planning, housing and redevelopment.
• Knowledge of management principles and practices of employee supervision to include work planning and assignment, project management and performance evaluation and review.
• Knowledge of principles, practices and methods of consensus building, conflict resolution, negotiation and team-oriented management.
• Knowledge of how the different disciplines of Community Development and Economic Development interconnect internally and with the other city departments.
• Ability to develop and implement division goals, objectives, policies and procedures
• Demonstrated ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds, cultures and perspectives.
• Ability to effectively administer special projects and programs.
• Ability to effectively and successfully conduct negotiation processes.
• Ability to accurately and effectively interpret, analyze and explain complex information.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment to define and analyze problems, utilize resources, identify solutions, develop and implement recommendation/proposals.
• Ability to independently organize and coordinate work, set priorities, manage multiple assignments and successfully work within deadlines and time constraints.
• Ability to interact, develop and maintain positive and professional working relationships at all organizational levels, internally and externally.
• Ability to clearly, concisely and effectively communicate, both in verbal and written formats with specific emphasis on effective public speaking and presentation skills and technique.
• Ability to provide a level of customer service that meets or exceeds customer expectation and satisfaction.

Desired Qualifications

• Graduate degree or advanced coursework in Community Development, Urban Planning, Public Administration, Real Estate or related field.
• Ten (10) years progressively responsible management and administrative experience in Economic Development, business development/financing, redevelopment, housing, planning or closely related field.
• Demonstrated success in advancing innovative projects and new approaches to Economic Development, housing and redevelopment.
• Fluency in Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Laotian or Vietnamese.

Selection Process
The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience and/or an oral examination (100%). It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions. Only those candidates who attain a passing score (70%) on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process.
Background Check
The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check are necessary for this job title. Applicants are required to sign an informed consent form allowing the City to obtain their criminal history and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.
Brooklyn Park is a thriving northwestern suburb of Minneapolis and the sixth largest city in the state with over 86,000 residents and 30,000 jobs. As the 11th fastest growing city in Minnesota, the city has become even more vibrant because of our remarkable racial and cultural diversity. Approximately 60 percent of our residents are people of color, 22 percent are foreign-born, and more than a quarter speak a language other than English at home.
Our Vision, Values and Goals
Additional Information
Department/Division: Community Development/Economic Development & Housing
Anticipated Work Schedule: This is a full-time, exempt, non-union position with a flexible schedule that includes a standard eight (8)-hour work day; includes occasional evening and weekend hours including one or more City Council and/or Economic Development Authority meetings a month typically on Monday evenings.
Core business hours are set by departments based on operational needs. Alternative schedules can be arranged, but must comply with the City's Alternative Work Arrangement policy e.g., flexible or remote.
Anticipated Hiring Range: Dependent on qualifications
Resume and Cover Letter Requested: To help us evaluate candidates' education, experience and skills, we are asking all candidates to attach a resume and cover letter to their application to be considered for this position.
Please direct any inquiries related to this position to Kim Berggren, Director of Community Development, by phone 763-493-8050 or by email
We welcome applications from all individuals, including (but not limited to): people of all abilities, persons of color, Veterans, LGBTQ+ and women. If you need these materials in an alternate format or if you have a disability-related need and need assistance with the application process, please contact Human Resources at either 763-493-8016 or via e-mail at
Regular, full-time City of Brooklyn Park employees (30 or more hours per week) are eligible for a benefits package including:
Vacation

• New employees generally earn 10 days of vacation per year
• Vacation accruals increase with longevity up to a maximum of 20 days per year

Sick Leave

• Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 8 hours per month with unlimited accumulation

Holidays

• 12 paid holidays per year

Health Insurance:

• Employees may choose between two health plans with an option to waive if covered under another qualified plan
• The City contributes to the cost of health insurance

Dental Insurance

• Employees may choose between two dental plans with an option to waive if covered under another qualified plan

Life Insurance

• The City provides term life insurance with an option for employees to purchase additional voluntary and dependent term life insurance at group rates

Disability Insurance

• Long-term disability insurance available at group rates

Retirement

• Public Employee's Retirement Association (PERA) pension plan (employer/employee contributions
• Optional 457 deferred compensation plans for tax-deferred retirement savings

Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA)

• Reimbursement account for health care and daycare expenses using pre-tax contributions

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Employee Assistance Program provides confidential counseling and referral services

Fitness

• Free on-site fitness facilities; Wellness program and fitness classes offered

Direct Deposit (mandatory)

• Payroll checks are automatically deposited into designated account(s) on payday

Regular, part-time benefited City of Brooklyn Park employees (20-29 hours per week) are not eligible for Health Insurance, but are eligible for the following benefits:

• Sick and Vacation at a pro-rated rate
• PERA Life
• Flexible Spending
• Deferred Comp, if enrolled.

Benefits may differ based on union contracts for employees represented by a collective bargaining unit. This summary is for information only and is subject to change or revocation without notice. This summary shall not constitute a contract or guarantee, express or implied.
01
Which best describes your highest level of education in Community Development, Urban Studies, Public Administration, Real Estate or related field?

• No degree
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Degree in unrelated field

02
Which level best describes your level of progressively responsible administrative and management experience in Economic Development, business development/financing, redevelopment, housing, planning or closely related field?

• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 6 years
• 6 years to less than 9 years
• 9 years to less than 12 years
• 12 years to less than 15 years
• 15 or more years

03
Do you possess a current and valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

04
Which level best describes your experience working with applicable federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations applicable to the public sector?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years or more

05
Which level best describes your current level of supervisory experience? Please give your response in a full-time equivalency (1 FTE = 2080 annual hours) for the number of permanent full- and part-time employees that you currently supervise; do not include seasonal/temporary or intern employees.

• 0 FTE
• 1-2 FTE
• 3-5 FTE
• 6-8 FTE
• 9 or more FTE

06
The Economic Development and Housing Director position oversees the City's strategic efforts related to housing, business development, and redevelopment. The position also oversees the administration of related grants, including CDBG funds. Describe your experience in these areas. Please be specific about your role. (No more than 250 words)
07
Please provide examples of how you have demonstrated success working in multicultural spaces and advancing economic inclusion strategies. (No more than 250 words)
08
Are you able to fluently speak, write, and understand any of the following languages?

• Spanish
• Hmong
• Russian
• Somali
• Vietnamese
• Laotian
• None of the Above

Required Question