Downtown Revitalization Coordinator

Make a difference and join the DCA Team!  DCA gives employees more to do than merely make a living.  We are serious about helping Georgia's families live more abundantly with a greater sense of hope and achievement.  If public service, a great environment, and the desire to enrich the lives of others motivate you to do your best work, you should consider joining the DCA Team. 

OUR MISSION

To help build strong, vibrant communities.

OUR VISION

For Georgians of today and tomorrow to have the opportunity to live and work in thriving communities.

OUR CULTURE

DCA is dedicated to helping build strong, vibrant communities. We are a diverse team of highly competent and committed professionals who strive to help people and communities thrive through technical expertise, innovative thinking and a passion for making a difference.  Team members are at their best when collaborating and supporting each other as they perform challenging and dynamic work.  We are serious about helping Georgia's families live more abundantly with a greater sense of hope and achievement. If public service and the desire to enrich the lives of others motivates you to do your best work, you should consider joining the DCA Team.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Downtown Revitalization Coordinator serves as a key member of the Office of Downtown Development within the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). Working under the direction of the Office Director, this position plays an important role in advancing downtown revitalization and economic development initiatives across the State of Georgia.

The Coordinator provides direct technical assistance, training, and strategic resources to municipalities, Downtown Development Authorities (DDAs), and local Main Street programs to support the growth and sustainability of vibrant downtown districts. This position will help guide economic revitalization efforts, strengthen small business development and retention, and promote investment in Georgia’s downtown communities.

Program Coordination and Implementation:

• Develop and refine knowledge of the Main Street Approach
• Collaborate with team members to educate and strengthen the capacity of Main Streets, DDAs, and other community economic development partners
• Partner with nonprofit organizations (Georgia Cities Foundation, GDA, etc.) to improve business attraction and retention programs and provide technical assistance to downtowns
• Provide technical assistance, training and best practices to local downtown programs on economic development, business retention, entrepreneurial opportunities, and financial incentives.
• Coordinate with DCA colleagues to deliver services to designated Main Streets and other local downtown revitalization entities

Helpful Characteristics:

• Knowledge of the Main Street Approach and the Georgia Main Street Program
• Knowledge in the operations and needs of local development authorities, local governments, and regional commissions
• Skill in oral and written communication including a high level of comfort in public forums
• Solid interpersonal skills and ability to interact with internal and external partners
• Attention to detail; excellent time management and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks

Necessary Attributes:

• Knowledge of community and economic development, downtown revitalization, real estate and community planning.
• Ability to present material and speak effectively to diverse groups of people to communicate the importance of downtown development, community planning, various financial incentives, and economic development.

Agency-Specific Minimum Qualifications:

Program Consultant 2 - Bachelor's degree in a directly relevant field from an accredited college or university in a related field AND Five years of related experience.  This is not an entry-level position. 

Preferred Qualifications:

Preference will be given to candidates with:

• Master's degree in a directly relevant field from an accredited college or university in a related field AND Five years of related experience in community/economic development, business, entrepreneurship or downtown development. 
• Experience managing or working with a Main Street Program or Downtown Development Authority.

• Experience in local government, community/economic development, or community planning

• Knowledge of Georgia, its communities and regional commissions and the State’s processes and regulations related to local government management and operations (community planning, government finance, economic development, regulatory compliance, development authorities, etc.)
• Knowledge of principles and practices of real estate laws, real estate development, and redevelopment, business recruitment and economic development. Codes, ordinances, resolutions, laws, recent developments, and sources of information related to economic development.
• Experience writing grant applications and proposal preparation.
• Experience managing economic development projects and building rehabilitation
• Experience utilizing Georgia downtown revitalization incentives such as BIDs, CIDs, TADs, historic preservation tax credits, low-interest loans, etc.
• Direct experience developing close working relationships with governmental groups at the local, state, and federal levels, and constituents/stakeholders which might include elected officials, board of directors, employees, and other business and community support organizations.
• Understanding of market studies, leakage reports, etc. and how to use data found within those studies to improve the economic vitality of downtown districts. 
• Experience monitoring and analyzing economic trends in local downtown areas (e.g., job creation, business retention, public/private investment).

Position Requirements:

Candidates selected for an interview will be asked to provide a writing sample prior to the interview.  Initial interview will be online followed by 1-2 onsite interviews scheduled with the best-qualified candidates.  The selected candidate will be subject to a criminal background check, educational degree check, reference checks, and (because travel is required) a motor vehicle records check prior to the extension of a job offer. Applicant must have and maintain the legal ability to drive a vehicle in the State of Georgia. 

Frequent travel via automobile is required with occasional travel to out-of-state conferences via airplane (travel expenses reimbursed by the agency).   

WORKING CONDITIONS (TRAVEL, HOURS, ENVIRONMENT)

This position is currently designated as a hybrid (part in-office and part remote/telework) position.  This position is full-time (40 hours per week) and may require occasional overtime.  Local periodic travel may be required.  Aside from approved travel, remote work location must be performed within the State of Georgia with availability to travel to Atlanta as requested or required.

This may be a hybrid or remote position based on organizational need or individual qualifications and performance.  Regular and frequent work from the headquarters location will be required but the specifics may be negotiable following an initial onboarding period (onboarding period may be waived for current DCA employees). The incumbent will be responsible for providing their own internet access to facilitate their work from home when they are not at the office.  DCA will provide a work cellphone and other necessary hardware/equipment.  The hybrid or remote nature of the position may be terminated at any time as determined by the agency.

Employment Benefits

DCA offers a comprehensive benefits package including multiple insurance options, retirement savings options, employee discount programs, flexible/adaptable scheduling, and a generous leave accrual schedule.  For more information on state employee benefits, please visit, https://team.georgia.gov/

PHYSICAL / SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Work is principally stationary, but the person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc., and constantly operate a computer and other office equipment.

Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.

Must be able to perform office-related duties.

Must be able to operate office equipment.

Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, tenants, and community agencies and other entities that provide services.

Must be able to perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Must be able to perform essential job functions in an environment that will sometimes include increased levels of work-related stress.

Must maintain punctuality and attendance as scheduled.

NOTE: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Due to the large volume of submissions received by this office, information concerning application and/or interview status cannot be provided.  Selected applicants will be contacted for next steps in the interview process.  Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.  This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

DCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you need accommodation for an interview, please contact the Human Resources Office at (404) 679-4845

Hiring is contingent upon satisfactory results of employment verification, background, criminal records investigation and motor vehicle reports.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the business and requirement of the job change.  This job posting may close at any time upon gaining a sufficient applicant pool from which to select a qualified candidate.

All duties and responsibilities listed are considered to be essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.  Marginal functions of the position (those that are incidental to the performance of the job duties) have not been included.   However, the omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or logical assignment to the position.