STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Economic And Community Development Agent

Hybrid

Recruitment #220921-2496AR-001

Introduction



The State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is currently recruiting for an Economic And Community Development Agent, Community Investment Fund in Hartford, CT, with some remote work.

WHO WE ARE

The Department of Economic and Community Development is the state’s lead agency responsible for strengthening Connecticut’s competitive position in the rapidly changing, knowledge-based global economy.

The agency takes a comprehensive approach to economic development that incorporates community development, transportation, education, and arts and culture. Specifically, the department:

  • Supports existing businesses and attracts new businesses and jobs with a wide range of programs and services to help companies prosper;
  • Promotes Connecticut industries and businesses here at home, throughout the country and across the globe;
  • Strengthens Connecticut’s communities by providing funding and technical support for local community and economic development projects;
  • Works to make tourism a leading economic contributor and a source of pride for Connecticut;
  • Develops and strengthens the arts in Connecticut and makes artistic experiences widely available to residents and visitors; and
  • Helps to eliminate brownfield properties by promoting smart growth principles, strengthening public/private partnerships and providing a one-stop resource for expertise.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

  • Monday - Friday
  • Full-time (40 hours per week)
  • First shift
  • Some telework available
THE ROLE

The Connecticut State Legislature created the Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF), which will oversee bonding funds for various economic development programs beginning in Fiscal Year 2023.  CIF is overseen by a board of directors that recommends projects for the Governor’s approval and submission to the Bond Commission.  The Community Investment Fund fosters economic development in historically underserved communities across the state.  CIF will provide a total of up to $875 million to eligible municipalities (Public Investment Communities and Alliance Districts) as well as not-for-profit organizations and community development corporations that operate within them over five years.  Eligible projects will be capital improvements programs such as brownfield remediation, affordable housing, infrastructure, and public facility renovation or small business capital programs, such as revolving loan programs or gap financing for small businesses.  The Economic Community Development Agent, Community Investment Fund will work as a project manager for funded CIF projects.

DISCOVER THE OPPO
RTUNITY TO

  • Assist in conducting the application process and review process for applicants to the CIF and their review by the CIF Board and the Governor
  • Work with stakeholders and applicants, providing technical assistance during application period
  • Advise applicants undertaking community development activities
  • Make site visits to grant applicants and awardees to review project scope
  • Review plans and proposals for conformity with statutory, regulatory, and program requirements
  • Work with grant awardees to ensure client maintains budget
  • Conduct feasibility reviews
  • Coordinate and track proposals through departmental approval process
  • Prepare commitment letters and financial, statistical, and administrative reports as needed
  • Work to develop contracts for grant awards with clients and attorneys
  • Assist recipients with procurement processes
  • Perform analyses and evaluations of data for reporting, performance indicators, and preparation of statistical information needed to meet guidelines and requirements of funding agencies
  • May attend evening meetings in support of grant award activities
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

The State of Connecticut offers a competitive starting salary, excellent state benefits package including health/dental insurance, generous paid time off, retirement plan options, alternate work schedules, and a culture that encourages work-life balance.

View the video below to learn what it's like to be a state employee.

           

Selection Plan

To Apply:

  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • Please select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Important Information After You Apply:

  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
Connect With Us:

Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Frank DeCusati at frank.decusati@ct.gov or 860-713-5176.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Economic and Community Development, this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in developing and promoting economic and community development programs.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Promotes and coordinates economic, housing and community development activities and programs; advises municipalities in developing comprehensive community development plans; establishes and maintains contacts with and provides technical assistance to businesses and industries within and outside state; performs specialized analyses and evaluations for development of standardized data and specific forecasts, performance indicators and preparation of statistical information needed to meet guidelines and requirements of funding agencies; establishes and maintains contact with customers; advises customers undertaking community development activity; assists businesses and industries locating or expanding operations in Connecticut; identifies economic, housing and/or community development resources available to businesses and industries and coordinates services; reviews plans and proposals for conformity with statutory, regulatory and department requirements; identifies and assesses customer needs and evaluates customer financial capacity and reliability; acts as liaison between customers, business and financial organizations and government agencies; conducts feasibility reviews; underwrites proposals and makes appropriate recommendations; negotiates financial packages with customers relying on municipal, state, federal and private resources and programs; advocates on customer behalf requests for financial assistance and or related services; coordinates and tracks proposals through departmental approval process; prepares commitment letters, financial, statistical and administrative reports as needed; assesses, develops and/or promotes domestic and international markets for Connecticut products; develops and promotes Connecticut as a destination for business to out of state and international customers; coordinates a marketing or promotion program; develops, coordinates and conducts workshops, conferences and seminars to promote business development assistance; assists communities in planning and developing housing, industrial parks and promoting business development; provides technical assistance in grant application; may negotiate leasing or other contractual agreements for business opportunities of state owned facilities; may monitor and support business activities to maximize benefits of negotiated agreements; may monitor work performance of consultants; may monitor programs to ensure compliance; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of local, state and federal economic, housing and community development programs and resources; knowledge of local, state and federal laws, regulations and policies pertaining to economic, housing and community development; knowledge of budgetary and financial principles and practices; knowledge of planning principles and practices; knowledge of comprehensive community development principles and practices; knowledge of industry practices, markets and location issues; knowledge of economic development assistance programs and financing; knowledge of marketing principles and techniques; considerable oral and written communication skills; interpersonal skills; skill in planning, organizing and negotiating urban or economic and community development activities; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; ability to utilize computer software; some supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of professional experience in corporate marketing and business development or business experience including residential and/or commercial financing to include leverage financing, strategic planning, financial planning and analysis or project management experience with industrial, environmental, housing or community development projects to include public financing or experience in urban planning and development.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the level of Assistant Economic and Community Development Agent.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master’s Degree in a related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience administering grant application, implementation, and maintenance
  • Experience working with economic development programs
  • Experience with public procurement processes
  • Experience working with diverse populations (BIPOC – Black Indigenous and People of Color) that have been economically underserved
  • Experience with construction project delivery methods
  • Experience with federal, state, and local regulations
  • Experience using written communication in a work environment, including preparing reports and general correspondence

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.