CRA Coordinator

Position Summary Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The CRA Coordinator is responsible for administrative work in administering the economic renewal and redevelopment of CRA District in Palatka. The person is responsible for analyzing, synthesizing, and developing revitalization strategies and recommendations in consultation with the appropriate official and advisory bodies and coordinating their implementation to achieve project goals as defined and determined by the CRA Board. This position reports to the City Manager or their designee.

The purpose of the CRA revitalization effort is to develop and implement a strategy for economic development and historic preservation in the CRA business district. There are four general work elements that guide this approach to CRA revitalization.

• Organization of CRA District interests in a unified manner working towards common end objectives.
• Approaching design issues, a means to create or preserve an attractive and sympathetic physical setting and using proper preservation techniques.
• Coordination of promotional activities to attract new economic life and develop new vigor in the community.
• Structuring of economic opportunities through reuse of existing buildings and underutilized space, attracting new business opportunities and development of viable marketplace enterprises.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Serves as the administrator for a seven-member policy board which oversees the renewal and redevelopment of the City of Palatka’s three Tax Increment Districts, and performs the following functions:

• Coordinates with other public and private entities related to the redevelopment effort.
• Provides the CRA Board current information regarding changes to Chapter 163, Part III, FS and networks with other CRA’s in Florida and with the Florida Redevelopment Association on matters related to the redevelopment effort.
• Prepares and submits reports required by the CRA and other agencies pertaining to CRA and Main Street projects.
• Acts as a public spokesperson for the CRA District.
• Prepares and develops plans either in-house, or through coordination with outside consultants.
• Coordinates downtown development and responsible for marketing the CRA District.
• Responsible for assisting with grants-in-aid from State, Federal, and private foundations for activities related to the redevelopment effort.
• Supervises the execution of the Redevelopment Plan pursuant to Chapter 163, Part III, Florida Statutes.
• Developing, in conjunction with the Board, appropriate downtown revitalization strategies.
• Assisting business and property owners with business and property improvement projects.
• Encouraging a cooperative climate with other downtown or community organizations.
• Helping to build productive relationships with appropriate public entities.
• Developing and maintaining a data system to track the progress of the local program.
• Serving as an advocate for CRA District issues at local and state/city levels.
• Maintaining administrative aspects of the program.
• Developing and conducting, in conjunction with the Board and organization committee, ongoing public awareness and education programs.
• Working toward developing skills as a downtown management professional.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Direct experience in economic development, real estate development, real-estate sales, financing and investment analysis.
• Some experience with grants-in-aid from State, Federal, and private foundations for activities related to the redevelopment effort.
• Florida Redevelopment Association Administrator or Professional (member) preferred.
• Should have some knowledge of Community Redevelopment Agencies and how they function.
• Experience working with Tax Increment Financing (TIF)and budgeting is preferred.
• Some knowledge of principals, methods and practices of urban planning.
• Understanding of the issues involved in commercial revitalization from the various points of view of merchants, public agencies, property owners and community organizations.
• Professional writing and verbal communication skills enabling the Manager to articulate local program goals and technical information clearly in group situations and on a one-to-one basis .
• Be an energetic, self-motivated, imaginative and accomplished organizer capable of functioning effectively in an independent situation, while maintaining a sense of the overall goals of the downtown revitalization project.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business administration, Public Administration, Urban Planning or closely related field. Master’s Degree a plus. Any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted for the education requirements.
• Minimum of Two (2) years progressively responsible redevelopment experience or closely related field.
• Computer literate with Microsoft Office programs and using the Internet.

Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Able to operate a motor vehicle.
• Office environment (Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability).

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel in this position.

An individual must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent(s) will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.