Montana Career Opportunity – Director of Economic Development – CSKT

$110,000 to $150,000 (exempt from classification) DOE

The Director of Economic Development (DED) is a management position appointed by the Tribal Council http://www.cskt.org/ to oversee Tribal economic development initiatives and functions as part of an Executive Team to provide advice, expert guidance and leadership in the area of economic development.

Functional Areas:

Capital fund development and corporate interface

Corporate reporting, board training as requested, scheduling meetings with corporations

Provide assistance with Tribal Council Challenge Agenda

Financing sustainability for the Economic Development functions, office and staffing

Resource Development Utilization

New Business Development and due diligence (diversification of Tribal economy and revenues)

Energy Policy Development and Input

Consistent interface on business opportunities with the Tribal Council

Clarification of reporting and communication tools:

Accepts direction and priorities from the Tribal Council and reports progress to Tribal Chairman. Tribal Council reporting parameters will be agreed to in an employment contract such as monthly reports, enterprise summit, etc.

Employment Terms:

$110,000 to $150,000 (exempt from classification) DOE

Employment Contract required.

Measure of success:

Financing and sustainability of the office

New business (diversification achieved)

Improved corporate communications

Timeline:

Closes February 15, 2008

Contact:

Renee Ashley for Personnel Information and application requirements. Resume accepted.

(406) 675-2700 ext. 1046

Teresa Wall-McDonald for job related questions

(406) 675-2700 ext. 1049

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Full Position Specifications:

CSKT Director of Economic Development

(FLSA Exempt – Non-TDP)

Introduction:

The Director of Economic Development (DED) is a management position appointed by the Tribal Council to oversee Tribal economic development initiatives and functions as part of an Executive Team to provide advice, expert guidance and leadership in the area of economic development. The Director creates positive change, organizational energy and financial sustainability for the Office through a variety of financing mechanisms, must embrace the vision of the Tribal Council and have sufficient skills necessary to identify steps to achieve economic and business sustainability. The primary focus for the position is the development of an office that is responsive to a variety of development opportunities including energy development, resource development including real estate acquisition and development, existing corporate reporting and business relations, new business development and improvement, and administration of a capital fund. The Director supervises professional, technical, administrative and clerical employees as well as contracted services.

FACTOR 1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

The CSKT Economic Development Director works at the direction of the Tribal Council in researching, analyzing, developing and directing a responsive Economic Development Office to facilitate economic development opportunities to benefit the CSKT Tribes, and is evaluated on the basis of results obtained.

The Economic Development Office includes the following functional areas:

Capital Fund development and corporate interface
The CSKT Director of Economic Development will have significant influence over the CSKT capital fund serving as a resource offering educated advice and experience to the Tribal Council and the Capital Fund Advisory Committee. This Committee will work cooperatively in the review of business development funds and enterprise capitalization funds. The Director may be asked to review, comment on and evaluate a variety of near term and long term business options to ensure Tribal integrity and Tribal interests are met.

Current Tribal business entities include a global technology company, an electronics assembly plan, a Tribal bank, on reservation gaming, and a company dealing with individual business support and development.

Develop and carry out Council directed policy to the enterprise boards. May be asked to attend board meetings and/or facilitate and/or train board members to ensure that Tribal interests are understood and met.

Communicate with the enterprises in payment of net profits to the Tribes and accessing additional capital.

Facilitate and provide administrative support to the Tribal Council Strategic Plan as approved by the Tribal Council titled Economic Goals and Policy Direction to Tribal Enterprises as adopted by the Tribal Council on August 14, 2007.

Implement system to document economic related strategic planning efforts from the adopted master plan and work in support of the adopted Tribal Council Challenge Agenda, including goals of resource and revenue diversification.

Design, communicate and facilitate economic diversification by proposing diversification initiatives and communicating with the enterprises and corporations on the amount of annual net revenue that is returned to the Tribes from Tribal enterprises and corporations

Develop quarterly and annual reporting mechanisms so that enterprises and corporations are in compliance with Tribal ordinance requirements and routine business requirements.

Arrange for and facilitate routine enterprise/Tribal Council meetings.

Review and document corporate and business assets and return on investments to ensure that the maximum dividend is returned to the Tribes for resource allocation decisions.

Develop an evaluation process to accurately and fairly assess businesses and Tribal corporations so that the “values” of each corporation (employment, rate of revenue return, enhanced capability and public relations, etc.) are represented and known.

Conduct due diligence and research on existing and potential businesses.

Evaluate options for the placement of Tribal Credit assets as part of overall organization and capital fund development.

Develop the “Capital fund processes and procedures” to access, administer, and grow the fund to meet the capital needs of the government and the enterprises.

Serve as an advisor and technical support to the Capital Fund Advisory Committee.

Work to strengthen organizational capacity and ability to sustain long term business and economic growth.

Develop capacity of enterprises and the Tribal organization to sustain long term economic stability and facilitate self- sufficiency.

Participate in strategic business growth planning with enterprises.

Conduct board training and orientation as requested and required.

Monitor and maintain reporting requirements for all enterprises insuring compliance with Tribal authority and business structures.

Review enterprise budgets and operating incomes as well as near term and long term business plans and report on the same.

Inform the enterprises of the Tribal Council Annual goals and Challenge Agenda, interfacing with all in a proactive, positive manner.

New Business Analysis
There are reoccurring business opportunities on the reservation that deserve due diligence as well as an immediate and professional response. The office staffing is to facilitate an appropriate response with professionalism and expertise. Past goals have included a Tribal grocery store, hardware store, expansion of gaming, Tribal utility, fuel distribution, etc. The Tribes will look to the incumbent for the development of a methodology for analyzing new business opportunities with a methodology for ranking business attributes such as employment, revenues, leveraging opportunities, partnerships, etc. The Director will be evaluated on results obtained.

Resource Development and Utilization
The CSKT have recently adopted a Tribal organizational model which will realign governmental functions including aligning land acquisition with economic development. Resource decisions will require internal systems to be aligned to allow for immediate resource evaluation; i.e., cultural sites, lands under lease, lands open for lease and/or development, lands under active forest management, etc. Lands may be acquired by the Tribes to develop opportunities that in turn generate additional acquisitions and opportunities. Resources include hydro-power potential, forested lands, recreation opportunity, sand and gravel, etc.

Energy Policy Development
The position will be expected to support strategic energy planning as a senior partner with expertise and vision. The CSKT is looking for analytical, negotiation, and development expertise that interfaces with a vision of energy development and sustainability. The CSKT are a co-license holder of a 180- MW hydropower facility, Kerr Dam. In addition, there are other area low head hydropower opportunities. The CSKT proposes to develop a series of options for continued development of the Kerr facility such as shared management, federal contracts for purchased power, green options, etc.

Financing and Sustainability
The Director is responsible for securing funds for the continued operation of the office. Creativity and financing experience are required to develop internal funding mechanisms. Primary areas of responsibility include but are not limited to office structure and development and staffing, position descriptions for staff and outcomes and expectations for external consultants and services, financing for the office as well as project specific financing, annual budget development, and project and staff priorities.

Develop the infrastructure to accumulate funds annually to create a Tribal Capital Fund.

Monitor and establish bookkeeping system to document financial gains, ensure fiscal accountability and reporting capacity.

Provide periodic reports on (1) operational capital raised and (2) project and business funding raised and accumulated.

Provide expert advice, support and assistance in planning, administering and coordinating high profile Tribal initiatives and projects.

Oversee and lead the development and negotiation of agreements and contracts for projects undertaken by the Economic Development professional staff. This will include overseeing legal and contractual assistance activities as well as consultant services.

Direct and coordinate the efforts of economic development teams as dictated by the projects at hand.

Produce management plans including current and critical path schedules for economic development and all projects managed.

Recommend priorities and operational procedures including setting goals, objectives, and accountable work plan outcomes to meet Tribal Council-directed philosophy and vision.

Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times in all business endeavors, streamline work processes and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality, seamless customer service.

Evaluate and recommend economic development program changes, develop programs, rules and regulations, and suggest changes to Tribal Codes, etc., seeking proper legal and Tribal Council approval for all such changes. All efforts promote a business and economic development climate that is advantageous to the CSKT.

Identify Tribal codes and/or legal instruments that are necessary for business and economic development interests. Interface with the CSKT Legal Department in these discussions and actions.

Perform other duties as required or assigned.

FACTOR 2. DIRECTION RECEIVED:
The CSKT Economic Development Director works under the general guidance and direction of the Tribal Council through the Tribal Chairman. The incumbent makes decisions on assigned matters, both routine and complex, many of which require considerable analytical and original thought. The consequences of error in these decisions could be great, affecting the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ economic well-being, public image, and legal position.

Under the broad policy guidance and direction of the Tribal Council through the Tribal Chairman, the Executive Director functions as a member of the Tribal Council’s Executive Team to provide expert guidance, discussion, and recommendations on a variety of issues, topics, initiatives, projects, and services.

FACTOR 3. SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
The Director will be expected to assemble a team to carry out assigned functions as described above. In the future, as negotiated and dependent upon the priorities of the Tribal Council, may supervises a variety of professional, technical, and clerical staff and consultants in pursuit of Council established goals and objectives. The Director will be asked to work collaboratively in a positive team manner with Tribal staff who may be assigned to economic development work team efforts or to a specific project with economic impacts.

FACTOR 4. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
The CSKT DED makes important personal contacts with a wide variety of people, including other Tribal employees, Tribal Council, the State of Montana and federal officials, other government and public service entities, the public and private finance community, media representatives, business interests, and the general public. The Director is required to create a positive public image for the CSKT as well as to move towards Council adopted goals for local and regional economic and business development goals.

Contacts are made verbally in person and by telephone, and in various written form including email and correspondence. The Director must be highly proficient in both verbal and written communication due to the complex and varied nature of the working relationships.

FACTOR 5. WORKING CONDITIONS:

The Director performs in a standard office environment, in public forums, and in the field as required. Physical effort is minimal and mostly sedentary.

The Director may be required to travel both locally and off-Reservation. The nature of the work may require 40+ hour workweeks in support of overall economic development and business goals.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
At least five years of successful experience in coordinating and directing the implementation of development, redevelopment and capital improvement projects, including three years of experience supervising a professional staff; and a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in economics, business administration, public administration, urban planning or a related field.

Must possess recent, verifiable successful experience in financing and project fund development.

Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of business, financing and economic development strategies that benefit Indian tribes.

Knowledge of banking, investment strategies and how to raise and leverage funds for the benefit of Tribes and local enterprises.

Knowledge of laws, ordinances, regulations and policies of various government agencies as they affect the business community.

Knowledge of basic management functions as well as employment, training, financing, and leveraging funds.

High degree of skill in written communication.

Skill in public speaking and public relations.

A high degree of collaborative skills to take diverse interests and create a Tribal interest.

A high degree of social intelligence to foster good working relationships and long term business partnerships.

Ability to negotiate in writing and in person with private and public agencies and with representatives of various organizations, entities, and groups.

Ability to perform a broad range of supervisory responsibilities over others.

Ability to produce written documents in the English language with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.

Ability to work cooperatively with other Tribal, State and Federal employees and the general public.

Ability to communicate in the English language by phone or in person in a one-to-one or group setting.

Ability to read, comprehend, analyze and make inferences from a variety of written materials.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other agencies and the general public.

Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

Ability to translate information into language appropriate for the general public

Ability to apply complex written material such as plans, policies, and regulations to a wide variety of situations

Ability to plan, organize, and directs a wide variety of activities

Ability to present proposed projects and plans to a governing body in an effective manner

Special Requirements:

Must pass character background process which includes fingerprinting.

Will be requested to provide business and economic development references that go beyond the issues of character/general personal knowledge.

May be a contract position and will be required to have an annual work plan to track progress and accomplishment of annual work plan goals/outcomes, and will be required to participate in annual review process with input of Tribal Chairman and Capital Fund Advisory committee with emphasis on results obtained.

Will be asked to sign and abide by an annual confidentiality agreement, code of conduct, and conflict of interest acknowledgement.

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Further career opportunities: http://www.cskt.org/employment/joblist.htm