Economic Mobility & Opportunity Special Assistant City of Staunton

CITY OF STAUNTON

Economic Mobility & Opportunity Special Assistant

The City of Staunton located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley is seeking highly qualified applicants for the position of Economic Mobility & Opportunity Special Assistant. Come join our highly professional team dedicated to serving this dynamic city and its citizens. For more information about theCity Managers Officeplease visitCity Managers Office. The City of Staunton offers highly competitive compensation and benefits. Staunton with a relatively low cost of living is known for its history architecture arts and cultural and culinary delights.

One of the prettiest and most progressive towns in the Southand 20 charming mountain towns to visit this fallSouthern Living

GENERAL DEFINITION AND PURPOSE OF WORK:

The Economic Mobility & Opportunity Special Assistant (EMOSA) is a grant-funded position for a period of 30 months with the potential to become a permanent position after that time. One of 16 positions across the nation the successful applicant will regularly participate in convenings and trainings with the others in this cohort.

The EMOSA will be an important part of the Citys executive leadership team and will work out of the City Managers Office. This position will be responsible for coordinating efforts related to the economic mobility and opportunity of all residents in areas such as affordable housing workforce barriers and public transportation. This position will work closely with the Housing Planner Transportation Planner Economic Development staff and a network of community partners and stakeholders.

The EMOSA is unique in that it will also come with a budget of approximately $100000 over the 30-month period that can be used to accomplish their work. The budget can be used for consulting fees engagement efforts implementation initiatives and professional development. This position will have access to funding for professional association memberships and to attend regular training and conferences.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TYPICAL TASKS:

The performance expectations may include but are not limited to the following functions/tasks:

• Participate on Citys executive leadership team;
• Serve as the Citys lead strategist on issues related to economic mobility and opportunity;
• Identify strategic priorities and systemic barriers impacting residents ability to achieve financial security and economic advancement;
• Coordinate with internal departments to advance strategic priorities from existing plans including the Diversity Equity Inclusion Commissions Findings & Recommendations Staunton Housing Strategy Plan Central Shenandoah Regional Housing Study the Staunton Plan (Citys Councils strategic plan) and others;
• Play role in coordination of visioning efforts for holistic long-term downtown improvements;
• Play role in supporting historically disadvantaged neighborhoods through implementation of recommendations from the Uniontown Neighborhood Plan and the West End Revitalization Strategies Plan;
• Work closely with Housing Planner to establish Citys first Housing Commission and work with the commission on implementation of the citys housing strategies;
• Develop and implement data-informed initiatives focused on workforce development income growth housing stability education pathways equity and other key mobility factors;
• Facilitate inclusive community engagement processes with impacted communities;
• Build and maintain strong relationships across city departments partner agencies nonprofits and the business community to advance aligned economic mobility goals;
• Develop metrics and performance dashboards to evaluate impact and inform continuous improvement;
• Draft and present written reports implementation plans and recommendations to internal leadership elected officials and community stakeholders;
• Collaborate with leadership to ensure integration of economic mobility goals into city planning and budgeting processes;
• Conduct ongoing research and policy analysis to inform initiatives;
• Prepare grant proposals and manage budgets for economic mobility-related projects;
• Lead or participate in cross-departmental teams focused on equity and economic inclusion;
• Coordinate with Economic Development and their partners to better understand workforce barriers and make recommendations;
• Coordinate with Transportation Planner and Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission to evaluate transportation-related barriers and make recommendations;
• Prepare Capital Improvement Plan requests for related projects;
• Present reports on proposals and projects to the City Council Economic Development Authority and Housing Commission;
• Serve as liaison as needed with the public Staunton Downtown Development Association (Main Street) Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission BRITE public transportation Staunton Housing Commission Staunton Economic Development Authority and other relevant community partners and stakeholders;
• Oversee related consultant projects;
• Participate on various committees and/or commissions concerned with economic mobility and opportunity needs of the City and the region;
• Attend annual convenings and periodic cohort meetings with ICMA and;
• Perform other duties as assigned by City Manager.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Familiarity with local government operations and interagency collaboration. Familiarity with structural and institutional barriers to equity and economic advancement as well as economic mobility factors. Knowledge of program development strategic planning and community-centered design methodologies. Knowledge of grant programs and processes. Skill in presenting/facilitating and community outreach. Knowledge of leadership principles conflict resolution negotiation and problem-solving. Strong project management and organizational skills. Strategic thinker with the ability to design and execute high-impact initiatives. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills including public presentations and report writing. Ability to synthesize complex data and information to support decision-making. Skilled at building relationships across diverse communities and stakeholder groups. Skilled in the use of personal computers and standard office equipment.

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelors degree in public administration public policy social sciences planning economics or related field required. A minimum of five years of experience working in the public or non-profit sectors or in coordination with the public sector. Three years progressively complex experience in community engagement workforce development or economic development preferred.

Excellent benefits include participation in the Virginia Retirement System paid-time off group life insurance medical insurance professional dues and conference expenses. Criminal background check is required.

FLSA: Exempt

Grade: 16

Hiring Range: $65000 to $80000DOE/DOQ

Start Date: On or around December 1 2025

Reports To: City Manager

Applications will be reviewed as submitted andtherecruitment will remain open until filled.

Foradditional questions and/or a copy of the full position description please contact Jonathan Venn Chief Human Resources Officer.

Jonathan Venn Chief Human Resources Officer

City of Staunton/Staunton City Schools

116 West Beverley St (Human Resources 2^nd Floor City Hall)

Staunton VA. 24401

The City ofStauntonis an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and is fully committed to the principles and practices of equal employment.