Under the supervision of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Board through the Chair of the Board, the DDA Director is responsible for overseeing the planning, directing, coordinating and performing of the activities associated with the City’s DDA Plan and the Main Street program. The oversight activities are to be done with an emphasis on district revitalization within the context of historic preservation and economic development.

Position Description

Essential Job Functions

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all of the duties which the employee may be expected to perform. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

1. Develop and implement programs and procedures regarding business recruitment, retention, and expansion or growth including the regular contacts to promote success of the businesses and the Main Street DDA organization. This activity will also include work with the Economic Development Corporation.

2. Become thoroughly familiar with all persons, stakeholders, institutions, and regulations directly or indirectly involved in the Main Street DDA commercial districts and develop strategies for maximizing the community’s human and economic resources.

3. Based on the DDA’s studies and with the involvement of various district interest groups, develop an action plan for implementing a revitalization program focused on
historic preservation/design, economic development; promotion, and organization.

4. Seek grant opportunities at the local, state, and federal levels; and complete full grant proposals and applications for organizational projects and/or individual stakeholder projects.

5. Responsible for all administrative aspects of operating the office including record keeping, budget development and monitoring, report preparation as required by the City, the DDA Board and funding agencies. This task also involves working with the City Clerk on the preparation of DDA Board and Committee meeting agendas, and posting notices of those meetings in accordance with the Open Meetings Act of Michigan.

6. Participate on staff teams to approach public and private agencies at the local, state, and/or federal levels to obtain necessary funding for design assistance, building rehabilitation, parking, and public improvements. This activity also involves working with the Preservation * Place Committee and Façade Improvement Program, and/or City Staff.

7. Work effectively with volunteers and others involved in Main Street DDA related projects, understand the importance of volunteer involvement in the success of the organization, and play an active role in coordinating and utilizing this important resource. This activity will involve various Main Street Committees.

8. Assess the management capacity and capabilities of Main Street DDA organizations and civic groups to undertake joint activities with an eye toward encouraging a cooperative climate and working relationship among DDA district businesses, organizations, City committees and local public officials and to assist in the recruitment of volunteers for various DDA Main Street events. This activity also involves the Organization Committee.

9. Collaborate with City Staff to develop and conduct continuing public awareness and education programs designed to enhance appreciation of the Main Street DDA’s architecture, history, green space, public gathering spaces, and other amenities to foster an understanding of the DDA’s goals and objectives. As a part of this, keep the program consistently in the public eye locally through the use of social media, press releases, public speaking engagements, and media interviews.

10. Develop and maintain data systems to track the process and progress of projects giving consideration to the use of the Main Street Approach and Work Project Work Plan system. This tracking also consists of maintaining information on each individual building, including photographs, within the DDA district, its historic value, square footage, current use, and rental rate (where applicable), and tracking changes in use and appearance and information of job creation and business retention.

11. Monitor capital improvement projects that have been approved by the DDA Board and by the City Council, as appropriate, including preparing, reviewing, and/or issuing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Requests for Quotes/Qualifications (RFQs) and/or writing grant applications and then assisting in the project through completion including receipt of “as built” plans as appropriate. This activity may involve the Design Committee and/or the City Manager and City Staff.

12. Assist individual tenants and/or property owners with physical improvement projects through personal consultation, and assisting in locating appropriate contractors and funding where available. This activity also involves the Preservation and Place Committee and Façade Improvement Program.

13. Foster a strong relationship with other City of Grand Haven departments to ensure best oversight practices are followed, and partnerships remain strong.

14. Assist in the coordination of organizational events and joint promotional events such as seasonal festivals, concerts, sidewalk sales, and parades with other organizations located in or involved with the Main Street DDA; with the goal of improving the quality and excitement of events to attract people to our district area. This activity also involves the Promotion Committee.

15. Perform other duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Minimum Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities and minimum qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job.

Requirements include the following:

• A passion for our Main Street and community, businesses and people, and the successful support of our historic business district

• Knowledge of basic business management procedures and practices to effectively control the DDA financial operations within budget and policy guidelines

• Skill in building and maintaining effective working relationships with public officials, business owners, landlords, various professionals, community groups and the general public along with the ability to influence others to work cooperatively for larger goals and the common good of the City

• Skill in developing and using effective public relations and community promotion techniques

• Strong skills with communicating both orally and in writing, including the ability to provide concise and articulate reports and presentations to a diverse group of audiences

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, marketing, public or business administration or similar relevant field of study preferred

• Five years of experience in increasingly responsible position involving similar job duties; or the equivalent combination of education and experience

• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office software for word processing, spreadsheet, data base and presentation purposes and in the use of desktop publishing and web page software

• Ability to deal effectively and meet deadlines

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position regularly works in an office setting with a controlled climate where they sit and work on a computer, communicate by telephone, email or in person, and move around the office or travel to other locations.

An employee in this position is also required to regularly work outside an office throughout the DDA district area and at other city properties and facilities. This may include walking outdoors and exposure to inclement weather conditions.