ECONOMICDEVELOPMENTDIRECTOR

Transcription

1 Recruitment Profile City of Salem, Missouri ECONOMICDEVELOPMENTDIRECTOR To apply, send one integrated Word or PDF file that highlights preferred qualifications in cover letter, along with resume and salary history, by May 9 to: mflentje@austinpeters.com. April 9, For information contact: Marla Flentje, Recruitment Advisor Phone Fax

2 Leadership Opportunity City government seeks to recruit an Economic Development Director to serve the community with a collaborative and innovative approach. Salem (population 5,000) is located in the heart of South Central Missouri, and surrounded by spectacular scenic beauty and countless opportunities for outdoor recreation. Local government professionals will find that Salem combines the best features of a small-town, family-friendly way of life with the benefits of a flourishing regional economy and nearby urban amenities. n The Salem Community Located 25 miles south of Interstate-44, Salem is equidistant from St. Louis and Springfield, enabling easy access to the assets of large urban centers. As the county seat of Dent County, Salem is notable for its iconic Victorian courthouse in the town center. The National Ozarks Scenic Riverways Park, Echo Bluff State Park, and Montauk State Park with their world-renowned trout fishing are a short drive from City limits. Mining support, food distribution and raw wood products are mainstays of the local economy. Retail business to support the sizeable number of tourists drawn to regional outdoor activities is also an important sector. Salem is the regional retail hub for residents living south and east of the City. Good highway options exist Photo courtesy of The Salem News. The Salem community prides itself on strong ties to family and neighbors, lively civic involvement and stewardship of natural resources. for commerce and tourism. Four state highways intersect Salem. A short drive north gives businesses two-hour interstate access to St. Louis and Jefferson City to the northeast and Springfield to the southwest. Master s Industrial Park hosts six businesses and has room for several more. Lots are available to new businesses in exchange for job creation. Enhanced Enterprise Zone tax benefits also are available. The Salem School District provides K-12 education at two elementary schools, one middle school and one senior high school. An average classroom size of 18 students provides a foundation for quality instruction. Graduation rates exceed state averages, and Salem students are frequent winners of academic competitions. Access to numerous postsecondary institutions is available. Southwest Baptist University offers studies in nursing and liberal arts programs. Nearby, residents may attend programs from Missouri University of Science and Technology, East Central College, Webster University, Drury University, and Rolla Technical Institute. The abundance of green space in and around Salem including scenic riverways and highways, national forests, lakes, parks and conservation habitats presents innumerable choices for outdoor recreation: canoeing, trout fishing, hiking, wild game hunting, horseback riding and camping. Other nearby attractions include the Ozark National and Cultural Resource Center, and numerous historic sites and museums. Golf enthusiasts have access to the nine-hole Spring Creek Golf Club. The City is notable for its parks and recreation facilities, which offer swimming, playgrounds, picnicking, youth sports leagues and facilities for festivals.

3 Salem residents have convenient access to quality health care services: Local family practice physicians The Salem Memorial District Hospital Choices for dentists, optometry, chiropractic and other medical specialties and pharmacies When asked to volunteer most residents say yes! Their community allegiance is impossible to miss, evidenced by over 60 volunteer organizations. This astonishing number of organizations contributes to community life in numerous ways including preserving community heritage, hosting celebrations, enabling charitable giving and sponsoring worthy projects. n City Government Salem is governed by a Mayor and a four-member Board of Aldermen. The Mayor has veto authority but does not vote except in case of a tie. All elected positions are for two years, and there are no term limits. The Mayor and two Alderman seats are up for election in April, The City provides a full range of municipal services in addition to economic development including law enforcement, code enforcement, street maintenance, planning and zoning administration, water and wastewater, electric power distribution, parks and recreation, election administration and solid waste. City services are delivered through seven administrative departments. The City s total budget is $12.5 million with budgeted general fund expenditures of $2.7 million. Sales and property taxes are the primary general fund revenue sources. The City levies a local one cent sales tax for general government purposes. The City levies an additional one-half cent sales tax for capital improvements, and also a 3/8 cent sales tax for parks and recreation. Total assessed valuation for the most recent year is $47,515,607, and the property tax rate is $ on every $100 of assessed valuation. Among cities in Missouri, Salem s property tax rate is considered low. At present, the City has no bonded indebtedness. Salem has 57 full-time employees. Employee benefits include group health insurance provided through Blue Cross Blue Shield. Employee-only health insurance premiums up to $550 per month per employee are paid by the City. Additional premium cost for employee coverage exceeding $550 per month or family members health insurance coverage is paid by the employee. Employees receive retirement benefits through the Local Area Government Employee Retirement System (LAGERS L-6). Employees contribute four percent of their gross salary toward retirement and are vested after five years of employment. n Opportunities and Challenges The Mayor and Board have identified immediate projects and issues that will require the next Director s attention and resourcefulness: 1. Recommend strategic priorities. Within the first six months, the new Director should meet with all existing businesses to learn their interests, needs, and advice for enhancing the economy. The Director should also solicit advice from other stakeholders including the Salem Chamber of Commerce and Dent County. The Mayor and Board will seek the Director s lessons learned and proposal for the City s strategic priorities. 2. Develop recommendations for a mission, structure, and appointment of an Economic Development Advisory Board. The Mayor and Aldermen recognize a need to focus sustained stakeholder advice on how the City can best target its resources for economic growth. Elected leaders will look to the next Director to provide expertise and facilitation toward this end. 3. Update and enhance the City s marketing tools. This priority on economic promotion includes refreshing the City s demographic and socioeconomic data, and enhancing the information quality and visual appeal of the City s website and related written materials.

4 4. Provide collaborative leadership for economic development partnerships. Salem and its region have abundant public, nonprofit, and private entities with a primary interest in economic development. All are challenged with stretching scarce resources in pursuit of their common interest in the economy. City government has untapped potential for greater coordination and expects its Director to provide facilitation to strengthen unity of purpose and action.n Position Duties The City first created the position of Economic Development Director by ordinance in The department-level position is appointed by the Mayor, with consent of the Board of Alderman, and supervised dayto-day by the City Administrator. Major duties are: 1. Recommend, and upon approval by the Board of Aldermen, implement an annual program plan for the sustained vitality and expansion of the local economy. 2. Propose, and upon approval by the Board of Aldermen, oversee an annual budget to fund the economic development plan. 3. Provide leadership for marketing initiatives to promote business and industrial development. Serve as a primary point of contact for business development contacts. 10. Attend regional and state learning programs related to economic and business development. 11. Participate as a department director in the City Administrator s management team. An additional expectation of the Economic Development Director is that he or she will establish residency in Salem or another area of Dent County. n Qualifications A competitive candidate should address these qualifications in a cover letter and resume. Minimum: 1) evidence of stable employment history and career advancement; 2) unblemished record of ethical conduct; and 3) bachelor s degree in business administration or related field from an accredited university. Preferred: 1) experience directing community or economic development in a municipal government setting; 2) master s degree in business administration or related field from an accredited university; 3) previous personal or professional experience with a rural community; 4) experience in community marketing; and 5) Economic Developer Certification (CEcD) or related credential. n 4. Maintain regular, interpersonal contact with business owners to remain current on their needs and interests. 5. Actively cultivate leads to expand local businesses, and recruit new businesses and industry. 6. Sustain positive relationships with business and civic leaders, and serve as a liaison with state, regional, and local economic development partners. 7. Maintain a current profile of Salem and its region as a resource for existing and prospective business and industry. 8. Prepare an annual report on the City s economic development program for City and community leaders. Provide quarterly reports of work activity for the Mayor and Board. 9. Advise the Mayor, Board, and City Administrator on City policies, incentives, and infrastructure needs to promote economic development.

5 Photo courtesy of The Salem News. Compensation The Mayor and Board of Aldermen are committed to providing salary and benefits that are competitive with similar cities in their Missouri region and commensurate with the experience and education of its preferred candidate. The low end of the position s salary range is $50,000. Benefits to the position may include a technology allowance and automobile for work-related travel. The City provides employee benefits that include group health insurance and retirement benefits through LAGERS L-6. Other benefits include life insurance, paid vacation, and holiday and sick leave. n Recruitment Timetable The City hopes to interview candidates in May and make an appointment in June. n Application Process Qualified persons invited to apply by May 9, Please send one integrated Word or PDF file that highlights preferred qualifications in cover letter, along with resume and salary history, to mflentje@austinpeters.com. For more information contact: Recruitment Advisor Marla Flentje (316) Recruitment Profile developed by