Jobs

Community & Economic Development Senior Planner
Full-Time, FSLA Exempt
$43,930 – $65,895/year based on qualifications and experience
Health, dental and life insurance; enrollment in State Retirement system; paid holidays, vacation and sick leave.

Northport, Alabama

The West Alabama Regional Commission (WARC) is looking for a motivated individual to join their team as a Senior Planner. The preferred candidate will have economic development experience and be eager to assist the region to address current economic challenges. The Senior Planner performs responsible, professional work focused on community and economic development, associated plans and reports, and the development and implementation of programs and projects of importance to the region. Work areas include providing technical assistance to local units of government, businesses, and the general public on a variety of planning and development topics, such as economic development, community development and Revolving Loan Funds. Work also includes securing funding for programs through grant preparation and administration of funded projects.

Description of Responsibilities:

• Carry out planning activities to support economic development including the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and associated resiliency and recovery strategies.
• Assists member governments, communities, and business owners in determining their needs

and priorities and help identify state, federal, or non-profit programs to meet those needs.

• Work collaboratively with other team members to leverage economic development experience and tools across programs.
• Promote WARC’s revolving Loan Fund programs to business financing professionals and entrepreneurs, and assist prospective borrowers.

Required Skills:

• Strong interpersonal communication and group presentation skills.
• Ability to effectively organize, prioritize and multitask work assignments and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work effectively with a broad range of people and styles.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Knowledge of personal computers and software, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Access.

• Knowledge of issues surrounding rural community and economic development.

Knowledge of commercial lending and business assistance programs. Ability to read and interpret financial statements, business plans, credit reports and other information pertinent to loan applications and approvals. Considerable ability to organize and facilitate meetings. Considerable ability to organize work, set priorities, follow up on assignments and meet critical deadlines with minimal supervision. Ability to maintain and safeguard confidential data in accordance with appropriate state and federal regulations. Considerable ability to write effectively and follow the Plain Language Initiative.

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle, have a valid driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands: The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, libraries, and residences or commercial vehicles, e.g., use of safe work practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals, etc. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.

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.

Required Education and Experience: A Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Urban, City or Regional Planning, or closely related field, plus three years of experience. A Master’s Degree may be substituted for two years of experience. Economic development experience preferred.

How to Apply: Mail cover letter, references and resume to: HR Manager

West Alabama Regional Commission P. O. Box 509, Northport AL 35476
or email to: michelle.carter@westal.org.

*Resumes will not be accepted without a cover letter and three professional references. Closing Date: Posting will remain open until position is filled.

For more information on West Alabama Regional Commission, visit our website at www.warc.info.

The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham is seeking dynamic and self-motivated Regional Economic Recovery Coordinator(s) to assist the agency and its partners promote a sustainable, responsive, and resilient region in light of the coronavirus pandemic. The Coordinator(s) will be a part of an innovative team of staff and partner organizations working to plan recovery, mitigation, and emergency action efforts throughout the RPCGB six-county region. This position is grant funded for a two-year term; renewal is contingent on future funding.

Successful candidate(s) must pass organization’s background screening process and possess a valid Alabama driver’s license. Travel throughout six-county region is required. Other travel may be required on occasion. The Coordinator(s) is/are expected to work some evenings occasionally. 

Expected Duties:

1. Research the economic effects the six-county region has experienced due to the coronavirus pandemic and evaluate the current and future impacts of these effects.

2. Develop surveys and other public engagement tools to connect with member governments and determine economic and community needs.

3. Identify potential economic resiliency, recovery, and/or other development projects within locally impacted communities that are eligible for state and federal funding opportunities and assist with writing and developing grant applications. 

4. Assist in local, state, and federally led coronavirus recovery planning efforts.

5. Assist the RPCGB Economic Development Staff with updating the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) to include economic resiliency and recovery strategies, as well as support the implementation of these strategies. 

6. Provide technical assistance and support to member jurisdictions seeking solutions to community needs as requested.

Educational Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in political science, public administration, economics, or a related field with considerable experience in economic or community development, emergency management, planning, or related field is required. A Master’s degree in Public Administration or related field is preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

The successful candidate(s) will possess the following skills and experience:

• Ability to work independently and be a “self-starter”
• High interpersonal and human relations skills; has the ability to interact with a variety of individuals including local government staff, the general public, and elected officials throughout the region 
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills; can process data using Microsoft programs and construct and give public presentations
• General knowledge of local/regional grant proposals and processes and experience in grant writing is preferred
• General knowledge of ArcGIS systems and software is preferred

Compensation: 

Potential salaries range from $35,000 to $42,000 depending upon qualifications and experience. Excellent benefits including Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System, paid sick and vacation leave, 11-12 paid holidays per year, and excellent medical, dental, vision and life insurance are included.

How to Apply: 

Send résumé and three references to Marcellous Johnson, HR Officer, at HR@rpcgb.org. Position(s) will remain open until filled. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early.

If you have any questions regarding this job announcement, please email Jesslan Wilson, Economic Development Specialist, atjwilson@rpcgb.org.

The Lee-Russell Council of Governments is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Planning and Economic Development Specialist within its Planning and Economic Development Department.  The PED Specialist is primarily responsible for assisting local and regional efforts related to community development, economic development and planning. 

The ideal candidate will have experience and working knowledge in several areas of local government administration: grant application development and grant administration, local and regional planning, community and economic development and/or downtown development. 

This position requires an ability to perform research, prepare and assemble written materials and specialized plans, assist in the coordination and/or participation in regional environmental, growth and quality of life initiatives; and conducting other related activities such as data gathering, technical analyses and mapping as well as assist in various forms of community engagement. 

Required:

• Demonstrated research and analytical skills
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to prepare and make public presentations in a variety of local government settings
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously with competing deadlines
• Ability to work independently but also on project teams
• Effective in working directly with elected officials, local government staff, state and federal government staff, and community stakeholders
• Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Public Administration, Economics or closely related field

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Planning, Public Administration, Economics or closely related field 
• Grant writing and administration experience
• Professional experience with community development projects and/or plan preparation 
• Experience in the use of GIS programs
• One year of related work experience

This position reports to the Lee-Russell Council of Governments Planning and Economic Development Director.  The range for starting annual salary is $50,504-$75,755 (Grade 9) based on experience and qualifications. 

To Apply:  Send a complete resume, cover letter and references to Lisa Sandt, Executive Director, Lee-Russell Council of Governments, 2207 Gateway Drive, Opelika, Al  36801, Phone (334) 749-5264, or email lsandt@lrcog.com.  Review of applications will begin July 13, 2020 and continue until filled.  LRCOG is an equal opportunity employer. 

External/Open Posting Date:  June 12, 2020

External/Open Posting Closing Date:  Position will remain open until position is filled. 

Examples of Planning and Economic Development Specialist Duties:

• Assist local government staff and officials in developing and submitting state and/or federal grant applications (including guidance for procurement requirements).  Provide grant administration assistance for funded projects. 
• Conduct research on additional funding sources for local and regional government initiatives.  Prepare and submit applications as directed. 
• Serves as the contact person for the Rural Planning Organization
• Assist in the preparation and development of local and regional planning activities to include but not limited to comprehensive plans, economic development plans, special study plans, hazard mitigation plans.
• Conducts community and demographic research and/or field surveys. 
• Assist in preparing public communications for local governments, stakeholder groups and the public through electronic, voice and written means.
• Advises other departments on contract and grant procedures.
• Respond to questions and conduct follow-up research on state and federal programs
• Attend workshops and trainings for professional development
• Prepare written and graphic materials for meetings, presentations, and publications.
• Performs related duties as requested by the Planning and Economic Development Director, Executive Director and members of LRCOG Leadership Team. 

The East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission seeks a qualified candidate to fill the Planner position. Position responsibilities include work elements of the regional and local planning and development programs, preparing grant applications, grant management, and related activities. The starting salary is $42,633-$49,351, depending upon qualifications.

Requires Master’s Degree from a program in Urban and Regional Planning accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board, Masters of Public Administration, or graduate degree in related field.

Submit application with college transcripts and resume to East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, ATTN: Planner Vacancy, P.O. Box 2186, Anniston, AL 36202 or email pdf to frank.humber@earpdc.org. Application form may be obtained online at www.earpdc.org or at the Commission’s office at 1130 Quintard Avenue, Suite 300 in Anniston. Applicants will be ranked based on the quality of education and experience. The East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or provision of services.

Applications accepted until position is filled.