BUSINESS SERVICES SPECIALIST

          Performs technical and informational work serving as a resource connection for local area business and entrepreneurial ventures, and providing oversight and monitoring of the Incumbent Worker Program.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

            An employee in this class serves as a consultant and point of contact to new and existing business, connecting them to various no or low cost services offered by the state and other government agencies or private entities.  The employee meets with local area businesses to discuss specific workforce and business strategies and needs such as market data, trends analysis, employees or new markets development, and attempts to locate resources to meet the needs.  The employee also provides communication, oversight and monitoring of the Incumbent Worker Program that offers local business funds for skills upgrades for current employees.  Work includes staffing the Workforce Development
Board and includes considerable research and on-site assistance on various job programs.  Work is performed in accordance with state and federal guidelines and organizational policies and procedures, and is performed under the general guidance of the Workforce Development and reviewed by client and community acceptance, compliance with
regulations, and program effectiveness.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Tasks

           Markets the regions’ Workforce Development Board and it’s workforce programs to area businesses; meets with local businesses to assess needs, concerns and/or assistance needed; prepares trend analyses, reports and other projections; communicates business needs to appropriate NCWorks Center and Workforce Development staff.

            Assists NCWorks Center staff and businesses with developing work experience opportunities, on-the-job training and incumbent worker training programs.

            Conducts research and develops surveys and compiles results to determine business needs and expectations; serves as point of contact for labor market information.

            Assists with development and review of Incumbent Worker Program applications and contract preparation; implements approved worker projects including monitoring projects and preparing written reports.

            Assesses employment and training needs of employers to identify gaps in employer and business services; researches labor market trends and recommends strategies to improve employer services.

            Participates in Rapid Response activities to businesses in the event of a closure or major layoff.

            Prepares a variety of reports on program services.

            Attends meetings on behalf of the Workforce Development Board and Mid-East Commission and serves on committees as needed.

            Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable business laws/regulations; maintains an awareness of new trends and advances in the global economy; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.

Additional Job Duties

            Performs related duties as required.

 Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities

            Considerable knowledge of business and production practices, human resources needs, and market and trend analysis.

            Considerable knowledge of WIOA programs and rules and regulations.

            Knowledge of the principles of program planning, design, and evaluation.

            Considerable knowledge of the physical, economic, and social characteristics of the service delivery area.

            Considerable knowledge of the application and use of information technology to research, program evaluation, monitoring and reporting.

            Ability to utilize a variety of advisory data and information, such as business periodicals, business laws and financial regulations, computer documentation, and labor market information.

            Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

            Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agencies, local governments, private industry, general public, state agencies, and other Commission personnel.

            Ability to build and maintain cooperative and effective public relations with the community.

            Ability to establish and maintain effective data collection and records management systems and prepare technical reports and documents.

Physical Requirements

            Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of lifting, talking, fingering, stooping, researching, walking and hearing repetitive motions.

            Must be able to perform sedentary work and exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally.

            Must possess the visual acuity to perform extensive reading, conduct inspections and perform administrative, and computer work.

Desirable Education and Experience

            Graduation from a college or university with a degree business administration, business management, industrial technology and experience in a business or manufacturing setting, preferably including experience that includes job placement, job training activities, statistical analysis, and analysis of labor market, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirement

            Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT COORDINATOR

General Statement of Duties

Coordinates and performs project management work in a regional multifaceted-multidiscipline approach of planning, economic development, and community services.  Multiple clients, primarily local government, are served utilizing various programs that are funded through multiple federal, state, and local sources.  This position reports directly to the Director of Planning, Economic Development & Community Services (Director), in cooperation and compliance with the Commission’s mission and other policies and procedures as applicable.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class has regular and frequent contact with elected and appointed officials of local government units, and staff members of State and Federal grant agencies, and businesses and industries of the region to determine their economic development, community development, transportation, and planning needs. The employee maintains an awareness of potential federal, state, and private grant programs and advises jurisdictions and the private sector of how and where to apply and assists with the development of applications. Work includes transmitting the views, questions, and problems of jurisdictions, and the private sector to the Director, Executive Director, and the Mid-East Commission (MEC) Board. Work is performed with independence and is guided by Commission policies as well as state and federal guidelines; work is evaluated for effectiveness in meeting goals and objectives through grants successfully obtained, reports, discussions, and observation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Tasks

          Manages and oversees the MEC’s NCARCOG American Rescue Plan program   including strategic planning, program implementation, coordination of activities and deliverables, assisting local governments, reporting, financial management, overall progress monitoring, and Davis-Bacon & Labor Standards compliance monitoring where applicable.

      Incorporates the MEC’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy goals and objectives that align with special projects’ goals and objectives wherever feasible.  

            Employs a collaborative and consensus-building approach in gaining public support for proposed projects

            Provides technical guidance, support, and periodic facilitation of meetings for local and regional efforts, MEC staff, regional councils, task forces, and groups on related

      topics and among diverse parties.

·         Serves as a contributing team member internally, locally, and regionally for various projects involving economic development, economic innovation, land/building revitalization, land use, energy, housing, transportation, waste management, and other areas. 

·         Collects and organizes data as needed; responds to information requests in a timely manner.

·         Provides outreach to all local government units within the Commission’s region through periodic presentations and program development activities.

Additional Job Duties

·         Attends training to ensure continued knowledge of available program requirements.

·         Performs related duties as required.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

·         Skills in leadership and organization management including working knowledge of principles and practices as applied to human behavior, motivation, budgeting, purchasing, grant management, contract management and related issues.

·         Strong ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community groups, federal, state, regional, county and town officials, and the general public.

·         Working knowledge of governmental laws, programs, and services pertinent to the land use, transportation, environmental, and related planning processes.

·         Working knowledge of the environmental and socioeconomic implications of the planning and economic development processes.

·         Considerable skill in the collection, analysis, and presentation of technical data and planning recommendations.  Including the ability to prepare comprehensive reports and studies.

·         Considerable knowledge of community development funding sources, including grants, to develop projects involving infrastructure, housing, the environment, and economic development.

·         Considerable knowledge of information technology as it relates to project management including word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, email, internet and database applications and software

·         Ability to prepare and oversee aggressive grant/fund seeking and marketing programs.

·         Ability to express ideas and information accurately and effectively in oral and written forms, and to make effective public presentations.

Physical Requirements

·         Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of fingering, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.

·         Must be able to perform sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally.

·         Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, to examine and work with maps, charts, and detailed materials, to operate a computer, and to read extensively.

Desirable Education and Experience

Prefer Master’s degree in planning, community development, environmental planning, regional and urban planning, management, public administration or related field and considerable professional, progressively responsible related regional planning experience with some management, supervisory and administrative experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirement

Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license.

Salary Grade: 18

Beginning Salary: $ 45,195