Downtown Services Specialist

Full Job Description

Help make Iowa’s downtowns stronger.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), is seeking a Downtown Services Specialist to join the team and partner with communities and organizations statewide to grow businesses, strengthen main streets, and enhance quality of life.

Within IEDA, the Iowa Downtown Resource Center equips local leaders with practical tools including on-site assessments, workshops, and ready-to-use resources to revitalize traditional commercial districts and create vibrant, accessible places that attract residents, visitors, and investment.

About Us

The Iowa Economic Development Authority is dedicated to making Iowa the choice for people and business by building partnerships, leveraging resources, and strengthening economic and community vitality.

IEDA administers several state and federal programs focused on business and community development to reach its goals of assisting individuals, communities, and businesses.

Whether it is an enterprise or start up, a rural community seeking to preserve its history and highlight its arts and culture, or a community recovering from a disaster, IEDA creates opportunities for Iowans to thrive.

About this Opportunity

The Downtown Services Specialist position supports economic development and the vitality of downtown areas by administering full life-cycle grants, supplying technical assistance, and services to Iowa communities. Key responsibilities include:

• Provide support to downtown communities through technical advice, assistance, and referrals. Serve as a liaison with community agencies whose activities play a role in economic development.
• Participate in Downtown Assessments including managing community surveys, communication with stakeholders, recommending community resources, and report design and writing.
• Develop and manage the Downtown Development program. Plan and implement initiatives, manage participant contracts and claims.
• Oversee the full life-cycle for assigned grant programs including the Main Street Challenge Grant, Catalyst Grant, and Open 4 Business Grant.
• Measure and analyze the economic impact of downtown technical assistance programs through statistics, trend identification, and surveys.
• Assist in planning and coordinating the Iowa Downtown Conference and Main Street Awards.

Ideal candidates are:

• Comfortable building and maintaining stakeholder relationships.
• Skilled in writing and data analysis.
• Familiar with grant administration.
• Dedicated to uphold our core values:
  • Accountability in Action - We take pride in our work and results.
  • Innovate Together - We thrive on solving challenges through dynamic collaboration with our teams and partners.
  • Mission Driven - We place Iowans at the heart of everything we do.

New to the area or looking to relocate to Iowa? Visit ThisIsIowa.com to see how Iowa offers something for everyone- competitively low cost of living, bustling cities and neighborhoods, access to entertainment, opportunities for career growth and unrivaled access to outdoor adventures.

As an employee of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, you are a State of Iowa employee, and you are eligible to enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Paid Time Off: Enjoy vacation with accruals that rollover on a yearly basis, sick leave with no limits on accrual and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Great Benefits: Excellent Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance options.
• Retirement Plan: IPERS Retirement package and an option for a deferred compensation plan.
• Flexibility: Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care).
• Life Insurance: Free Life Insurance.
• Support: Employee Assistance Programs and Employee Discount Programs.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority is an EEO/AA Employer

This is a non-merit position. Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.

Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States.

The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization.

For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov

Qualifications

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification: 

1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in research, planning, economics, public relations, business, corporate finance, journalism, or marketing, and experience equal to two years of full-time work in interpreting laws, rules and regulations, and/or securing compliance with them; or compiling and evaluating statistical, historical, economic, business, financial, or technical related program data. 

2) A total of six years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full-time experience. Notes Travel, including overnight travel, may be required for positions in this class. Employees must arrange transportation to and from assigned work areas. 

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

Additional Information

Travel, including overnight travel, may be required for positions in this class. Employees must arrange transportation to and from assigned work areas