COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLANNER
Emphasis in Energy and Sustainability
Headwaters Regional Development Commission, a regional planning and development organization is looking to add a dynamic, committed, flexible, hard-working professional to our team.
We exist to help our communities, and our region as a whole, be successful. This is our core mission, and core value. Everything we do is focused on creating that success. Our services and activities are a function of our skills and competencies and those needs communities have as they strive to be successful.
This position is included in the Community Development Planner Classification. Under the general direction of the Executive Director, the employee in this class will conduct work related to energy and sustainability activities throughout the region. This position will work with federal, state and local officials, housing development professionals and advocacy groups. This position will involve collaboration and coordination to bring forth new innovative ideas within clean energy and sustainability. This position will work to build our internship opportunities through cultivating relationships with our universities and colleges within our region.
This position will actively work to support and lead grant writing opportunities within multiple areas of sustainability, with focus including but not limited to climate/energy, housing, health and wellness. This position will also include helping eligible entities and stakeholders (our cities, counties, townships, school districts, businesses, nonprofits, and more) access Statewide (Federal) Competitive dollars. This position will work to deploy funds through out 5 counties through the Department of Commerce. This will require outreach, assessment, and education about available funding for energy planning and project development for local governments in small cities or towns (population under 15,000) within the territories of HRDC.
This position will work in collaboration with Bemidji State University to develop the Regional Energy Stakeholder Group which will inform he Regional Climate Action plan. This position will work to provide board leadership to local units of government and citizens groups in the development and implementation of local clean energy and sustainability strategies, identifying and coordinating programs, writing grant proposals, and interpreting pertinent state and federal regulations.
The chosen individual must be passionate about creating successful communities in our five-county region. HRDC offers competitive pay and benefits, as well as a professional but family-first environment. Productivity is rewarded with flexibility. The starting salary is expected to start at $60,000 + per year depending on experience plus excellent benefits.
If you are a problem solver, self-motivated and have a passion for creating successful communities, please submit a letter of interest and resume, with a minimum of three references by July 31, 2024 to [email protected]. We anticipate conducting interviews the following two weeks after.
Characteristics of the Class:
Under the general direction of the Executive Director, the employee in this class will conduct work related to energy and sustainability activities throughout the region. Work entails extensive contact with federal, state and local officials, housing development professionals and advocacy groups. This position will involve collaboration and coordination to bring forth new innovative ideas within clean energy and sustainability. This position requires you to work independently. This position will actively work to support grant writing opportunities within multiple areas of community focus including but not limited to climate/energy, housing, health and wellness. This position will include helping eligible entities and stakeholders (our cities, counties, townships, school districts, businesses, nonprofits, and more) access Statewide Competitive dollars as well as local rebate programs. This position will also have opportunities to collaborate with partners on other related areas such as housing, local food initiatives and placemaking initiates that benefit our region and pursue their own interests within the scope of their work. Work is varied and complex, and considerable latitude exists for individual initiative. Job duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
Kinds of Duties:
Completes contractual obligations of the State Competitive Funds (SCF) (Commerce Energy Grant).
Collaborates on grant opportunities that pertain to sustainable housing development programs, local food initiates, clean energy transportation initiatives and work with eligible entities to access Statewide Competitive dollars.
Work to deploy Commerce Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds to our smaller communities through utilizing a Request for Proposal (RFP) process.
Provide board leadership and collaborate with Bemidji State University in the development of the Regional Energy Stakeholder Group.
Provide Technical Assistance (TA) to eligible entities; complete applications and grant opportunities aligned with the Statewide Competitive dollars. (Many of these applications will be for federal clean energy-focused funds made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and/or Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)).
Develop planning proposals and strategies, as well as actual grant applications, to assist various organizations in obtaining funds.
Provide technical assistance (education to our communities on energy and clean and renewable energy) to local units of government and citizens groups in the development and implementation of local housing strategies, identifying and coordinating programs, in writing grant proposals, and in interpreting pertinent State and Federal regulations.
Responsible for the presentation of planning efforts to public officials and private citizens groups.
Grant management on a variety of community planning (comprehensive and/or strategic planning, etc.) and other projects that benefit our regions communities and residents.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Any combination of training and experience providing the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
Full Performance:
Knowledge of the policies, practices and services of the Headwaters Regional Development Commission
Ability to maintain working relationships with staff and other agencies
Ability to communicate effectively, orally, in writing, and in presentations
Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with the regions energy and power organizations and communities
Commitment to furthering the mission of the HRDC
Ability to perform independent technical research and give reliable advice on planning problems related to the community development program area, with emphasis in the areas of housing, environment, transportation and other physical planning activities
Pre-Employment:
Knowledge of the fundamental issues related to clean energy and climate resiliency programs
Experience in a program related field
Ability to prepare grant applications
Ability to write and speak effectively
Ability to conduct public meetings
Ability to understand and operate computers, including the ability to use word processing, spreadsheet, and email software
Ability to initiate work and carry through to completion with little supervision
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Schedule:
Work Location: In person