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MODEL POSITION DESCRIPTION

EXTENSION COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EDUCATOR

BASIC FUNCTION:

To protect, support and enhance economic and community development in                County in the State of Michigan through education and facilitation.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

  1. Maintains knowledge of current economic development issues and trends. Acts for implementation of            Economic Development Strategic Plan. Works with             to identify and recommend actions to increase income, jobs and tax base.
  2. Acts as educator and facilitator / economic counselor to assist and retain existing industries and commercial enterprises. Assist community members/business owners/government officials to understand the economic, social, political and environmental impacts of economic development.
  3. Identifies knowledge resources and processes for assisting industrial and commercial enterprises in locating, purchasing, constructing, reconstructing, modernizing, improving, maintaining, repairing, furnishing, equipping and expanding in             County.
  4. Strengthens communities/counties ability to work towards collaborative arrangements that facilitates economic development.
  5. Provides assistance to existing and potential businesses for            County. Aids financial packaging, business plan development, permit processes, workforce training and licensure procedures. Provides community-based business and industry with access to MSU's campus based faculty, resource centers, and other knowledge and information resources.
  6. Assists local government and local industries with grant writing and with proposal development. Acts in an educative capacity to inform relevant stake holders and the public about resources available in              County. Maintain database of economic / demographic information.
  7. Monitors current economic development and makes recommendations to the                        Helps with development of business recruitment and outreach programs.
  8. Acts as a liaison for the with the state and federal                        agencies. Attends unit meetings, conferences workshops and seminars as appropriate. Develops an area of expertise in economic development and work with the area of expertise team within MSU Extension to share program resources.
  9. Travel throughout               County and to other state locations as appropriate. Reliable transportation is required.
  10. Helps initiate and maintain positive public image of the                 County and MSU Extension.
  11. Implement the directives of equal opportunity programming and affirmative action policy regarding the availability of Extension programs.
  12. Administratively responsible to the                         and the              County MSU Extension Director.
  13. Strict confidentiality must be maintained of client information received in the role of Economic and Community Development Educator.

EDUCATIONAL/SKILL - EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, finance, economic development, planning, or a related field with preferred three years of economic and/or community development experience or a master degree in the previously mentioned areas.
 

  1. Demonstrated leadership and management abilities.
  2. Ability to work with minimal supervision, including prioritizing work load to meet deadlines.
  3. Ability to identify and form corrective actions relating to the position's area of responsibility.
  4. Familiarity with economic needs of                  County.
  5. Ability to effectively communicate with the , local                   business and commercial enterprises, potential. business and commercial enterprises, local, state and federal units of government.
  6. Ability to prepare and interpret reports to and for the              and MSU Extension.
  7. Ability to express facts and ideas clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing. Grant writing experience preferred.
  8. Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
  9. Ability to maintain close attention to detail as appropriate to task.
  10. Must possess professional demeanor.
  11. Knowledge and utilization of computer technology in educational planning, data analysis and retrieval.
  12. Upon employment, must reside in            County. Waivers are possible under special circumstances.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of job duties performed by personnel so classified.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, handicap, sex, age or religion. MSU, US Department of Agriculture and counties cooperating. MSU is an Affirmative Action /Equal Opportunity Employer.

(12120/96 lONIAECED.DES)