Community Development Specialist

Salary: $34.99 - $41.16 Hourly
Location : Lino Lakes, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: CDSPEC0425
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 04/08/2025
Closing Date: 5/4/:59 PM Central

Description
Position Summary

This position is responsible for assisting with community development functions within the City of Lino Lakes, including planning and zoning, economic development, housing, code enforcement and community outreach. This position will be expected to independently manage projects and will work directly with the Community Development Director and advisory committees on Community Development activities.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Economic Development

1. Coordinates, prepares, and distributes agendas and packets for the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC); prepare legal notifications; coordinates and/or participates in the preparation of meeting minutes and official documents.
2. Assists with development of plans and strategies for promoting and assisting economic and community development functions in the City.
3. Assists with business inquiries. Coordinates with new and existing businesses in meeting requirements of City Code and development process.
4. Manages Business Registration listing.
5. Works to develop and implement strategies for businesses to successfully locate or expand in the City by providing necessary guidance, including demographics, sites, incentive programs, and financing options.
6. Assists in the negotiation and implementation of development agreements and redevelopment projects, including tax increment financing, tax abatement contracts, and other state and federal programs.
7. Assists with local economic development assistance programs, including loan and grant programs.

Planning and Zoning

1. In coordination with the City Planner, performs comprehensive reviews on a wide range of complex variance, conditional use, subdivision, Planned Unit Development, and other land use applications for compliance with the City Codes, polices, procedures, design and development standards as set forth in adopted ordinances, the Comprehensive Plan, and state and federal regulations.
2. Coordinates with City Planner, Environmental Coordinator and City Engineer to prepare staff reports of environmental, planning, zoning, and other development issues and makes presentations before the Planning & Zoning Board, Environmental Board, the City Council, and other public forums as directed.
3. Responds to inquiries from the public regarding City information, planning and zoning questions, property records, and other related questions.
4. Conducts initial review and recommendation of action for written Citizen Concerns.
5. Provides follow-up on applications, including written and verbal communication with applicants, developers, engineers, architects, realtors, attorneys, and property owners. Assesses and verifies site conditions by field inspections, as required. Reviews site improvements in the field for conformance with approved plans.
6. Identifies and develops amendments to City Code as necessary and prepares reports and draft ordinances for consideration by the Planning & Zoning Board and the City Council.
7. Administers the storage of applications, maps, plans, and files and conducts research of City records when needed.

Community Development

1. Represents the City on task forces, committees, or meetings involving community development issues as assigned.
2. Coordinates housing programs.
3. Assists with community education programs including but not limited to water conservation, and surface water management.
4. Assists the Building Official with Code Enforcement program.
5. Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.

Note: These examples are intended only as illustrative of various types of work performed and are not all inclusive. The City reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind work assignments.
Required Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of:

1. The City's overall operations and structure, ordinances, and policies.
2. Building and fire codes and relevant federal and state laws/rules/regulations.
3. The operation of computers, software packages, and typical office equipment.
4. General principals of planning and development in municipal government.
5. Working knowledge of and ability to use ESRI GIS software in the preparation of maps and projects.

Ability to:

1. Ability to organize and manage multiple projects and establish priorities to effectively work under pressure and meet challenging deadlines with minimal supervision.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of and ability in all phases of planning, including comprehensive planning, zoning, and subdivision ordinance administration.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of an ability in Economic Development strategies.
4. Exercise sound judgment in making recommendations and implementing the City's land use regulations.
5. Prepare and maintain accurate and complete records, reports, and forms.
6. Plan, organize, and coordinate various meetings and activities.
7. Handle numerous interruptions, switch from task to task, and focus on task at hand.
8. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and common database applications.
9. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey information and ideas to colleagues, supervisors, and the public.
10. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain positive and productive working relationships with supervisors, colleagues, and members of the public.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, or a related field from an accredited institution.
2. Minimum of 1 years responsible related experience in municipal planning, site design, and project management, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Master's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, or a related field from an accredited institution.
2. Knowledge of municipal and zoning codes/ordinances and procedures.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will primarily be sitting.
2. Frequent use of hands and arms for tasks such as typing, handling objects, and reaching.
3. The employee occasionally works in outdoor weather conditions.
4. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
5. Occasional lifting and carrying of objects up to 20 pounds, such as office supplies, equipment, and files.
6. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

This position primarily works in an office environment with moderate noise levels. Employees will be exposed to computer screens for extended periods. The ability to work effectively in a shared workspace with occasional distractions is essential.
Conditions of Employment

Adherence to all organizational and departmental policies is required.
Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position with a standard workweek. Occasional evening meetings will be required, including advisory board and City Council meetings.
The City of Lino Lakes is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. We encourage all qualified candidates, including those from historically underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, and veterans, to apply.
Regular, full time employees of the City of Lino Lakes are eligible for a benefits package.

Annual Leave - Paid time off /Earned Sick and Safe Time. Accrues each pay period. 20 days per year for the first 5 years of employment.

Holidays - Paid time off on 13 designated holidays per year.

Insurance - Employer-paid employee health, dental and life insurance. Dependent coverage available.

Disability Insurance - Income replacement insurance for long term disability, if unable to work due to illness or injury. Subject to waiting periods and medical confirmation of disability.

Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) Pension Plan - State mandated pension plan. Employee and Employer contributions. City contributes 7.5% and employees contriburte 6.5%. No waiting period. Members are vested in the plan after 5 years.

Deferred Compensation Plan (457) - Income set aside on a pre-tax basis for the purpose of retirement income. Investments are participant-directed. Participation is optional and the City does not contribute to the plan.

Health Care Savings Account - Tax-free reimbursement accounts for health care expenses.

Flexible Spending Arrangement - Tax-free reimbursement accounts for health, dental, vision . click apply for full job details