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Downtown Development Specialist

Job Details

Belmont, NC
Full Time
$50,337.00 - $80,539.00 Salary
Day

Description

Are you passionate about transforming urban spaces and driving vibrant economic growth? Do you have a vision for creating dynamic, livable downtown areas that attract businesses, residents, and visitors alike? Join our team as a Downtown Development Specialist and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our city’s core. In this position, you will collaborate with local businesses, civic leaders, and community stakeholders to strengthen our downtown, foster innovation, and create a thriving hub of activity that enhances everyone's quality of life. If you’re a creative problem-solver with a passion for building partnerships, this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for!

 

General Statement of Duties

 

Performs professional, administrative, and consultative work supporting staff in the implementation of the City’s Main Street Program

 

Distinguishing Features of the Class

 

An employee in this class performs a variety of professional, administrative, and consultative work tasks, collaborating with staff on the mission and operations of downtown development and the City’s Main Street Program. Work involves developing and maintaining relationships with property owners, merchants, and community leaders and assisting with the issues that impact downtown businesses; assisting with department marketing efforts; assisting with the planning and implementation of special events and programs in the downtown business districts; assisting and collaborating with various agencies and non-profits for programs and sponsorships; serving as liaison to various boards and committees; and assisting the Director with administrative aspects of the Main Street program including the preparation of several required records and reports. Work involves significant public contact and coordination with business owners and non-profit organizations requiring skill in facilitating public and intergovernmental processes. Work requires independence, initiative to complete tasks, strong multi-tasking abilities, and attention to detail. Work is performed under general supervision and is evaluated in terms of program effectiveness through observation, conferences, reports, and discussions surrounding public acceptance.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

 

Essential Duties and Tasks

 

  • Assists the Director in the administrative aspects of the Main Street program, including record keeping, accounting, purchasing, and preparing required records and reports.
  • Assists with the coordination of the activities of related Main Street program committees, ensuring that communication among committees is well established; assists committee volunteers with the implementation of work plan items; maintains data and statistics to assist in tracking the progress of the local Main Street program.
  • Assists with creating and delivering presentations to various boards and City Council
  • Establishes and maintains relationships with community leaders and representatives of businesses and industry; conducts business site visits regularly to stay abreast of their status and any potential for expansion and assists with problems; works to resolve issues that impact downtown property owners and businesses.
  • Advises downtown merchants on Main Street program activities and goals; helps coordinate joint promotional events, such as festivals or business promotions, to improve the quality and success of events and attract people downtown.
  • Assists with department marketing and public relations efforts; updates department website and downtown kiosks; coordinates with marketing professionals to prepare flyers, press releases, and brochures for promotional and economic development initiatives; Serves as liaison to several public and non-profit groups and committees, such as the Downtown Belmont Development Association Board, Chamber of Commerce organizations, and various committees; plans and executes meeting logistics; attends meetings and takes minutes; Assists in the planning and implementation of downtown and community-wide events in support of the City’s Main Street program; participates in the event logistics teams and committee meetings; coordinates and facilitates event details with downtown businesses impacted by events, community partners, and sponsors.
  • Assists with setting up, taking down, and cleaning up after events are completed;
  • Responds to inquiries from businesses, other staff, and the general public.

 

Additional Job Duties

 

Performs related duties as required.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

 

  • Considerable knowledge of the Main Street program, public relations, and marketing.
  • Considerable knowledge of applying information technology to data research and office technology.
  • Considerable knowledge of department and City policies, regulations, and procedures related to event logistics and management.
  • Skill in marketing and event coordination.
  • Skill in customer service.
  • Skill in data collection, analysis, and retention.
  • Ability to gather and give information and instructions on departmental programs based on inquiries.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
  • Ability to remain organized, multi-task, set and follow effective work priorities, and meet established deadlines.
  • Ability to plan and organize work for a broad scope of events and logistics.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with business owners or representatives, public officials, community leaders and organizations, supervisors, and other employees.

 

Physical Requirements

 

  • Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
  • Must be able to perform medium work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
  • Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data, examine and work with maps and charts, operate a computer, perform visual inspections, read extensively, and review the thoroughness and accuracy of the work.

 

Desired Education and Experience

 

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in economic development, public relations, business or public administration, or a related field and experience with program management, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

 

Special Requirement

 

Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license.

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