"Alerted.org

Are you ready to join an organization where we focus on People First, have fun at work and make a difference in what we do?

Dairyland is proud of our People First culture centered around appreciation, celebrating wins and collaboration. We’ve worked hard to ensure alignment between our culture and our processes and systems, learning and development and rewards and recognition programs.

As a team, we work together to leverage the team’s diverse perspectives, ideas and experiences to deliver nothing less than the best. We are collaborative, transparent and committed to our People and their work experience, growth and professional development.

Economic Development Specialist

Hiring Salary Range: $67,100 - $100,700

_Compensation is determined by a combination of factors, including but not limited to education, work experience, and certifications. The actual offer may vary, reflecting the candidate's unique blend of experience, educational background, and skill level._

The Economic Development Specialist will support the Community and Economic Development team with implementation of the department’s comprehensive strategic work plan. Lead work plan initiatives including economic development marketing, economic development finance programs (inquiries, applications, processing, repayments), general department reporting, data collection and maintenance. Assists with project coordination, responses to prospect development inquiries, member-cooperative and economic development stakeholder relationship management within Dairyland Power Cooperative’s service area, and other initiatives that help retain and grow member-cooperative energy sales.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS** **:

1. Exemplify Dairyland’s commitment to safety and the Dairyland mission, vision and values.

2. Support the Community and Economic Development team with execution and delivery of the department’s comprehensive strategic work plan.

3. Administer Dairyland’s economic development revolving loan fund and other economic development programs, including Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) applications through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

4. Administer economic development marketing efforts. Maintain and implement communication channels including the economic development website, newsletter and available sites and facilities inventory.

5. Administer department reports, data collection and databases, customer relationship management (CRM) tools and other tracking of key performance indicators (KPIs) to generate meaningful internal and external reports.

6. Engage with internal and external stakeholders to assist Economic Development Managers with project requests, facilitation of meetings, and inquiry response.

7. Assist improvement, development and implementation of new economic development tools, processes, and initiatives.

8. Maintain and grow knowledge of current federal and state economic development finance programs, as well as emerging tools, available in Dairyland’s service area.

9. Actively participate as a member of the Community and Economic Development team engaging with both internal and external partners to model safety, excellence, accuracy, and efficiency in all work and behavior.

10. Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

**Education & Experience:** Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, public administration, political science, marketing, community/economic development or related field. Minimum three (3) years demonstrated experience in the electric utility, economic development, or business development with experience in marketing, finance, business credit analysis, project administration, and reporting required. Experience with cooperative business models, economic development program delivery in rural or smaller urban settings, administration of economic development finance programs, and/or proficiency in CRM software is a plus.

Skills** **:

Knowledge of utility industry business structures and motivations, including cooperatives and other utilities. Knowledge of economic development programs, agencies and community initiatives. Ability to communicate effectively and proactively. Ability to build and maintain effective work relationships, both internal and external, and establish credibility with businesses, community and government officials, and other decision makers. Skill in customer relations, verbal and written communications, team building, and interpersonal relations. Knowledge of the cooperative model, electric industry, economic development and general energy industry. Must have good organizational skills and the ability to prioritize work assignments. Must model an attitude of ownership of the work they do, with an emphasis on collaborative success.

**Licenses and Certifications** **:** Valid driver’s license.

**Physical Demands** **:** The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate in person or in writing and is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disability to perform essential functions.

**Environmental Demands** **:** This is a hybrid position and may work remotely at times. Usually works indoors in normal business environment; frequent day trips throughout DPC’s service area, including site visits with member-cooperatives, existing and potential customers. Overnight travel as required but limited.

We are committed to providing our greatest asset, our People, with as many perks and benefits as possible. Some benefits of working with us include:

- Health & disability benefits (medical, dental, vision, short & long-term disability)

- Life insurance

- Generous 401(k) and Pension Plans

- Paid Time Off

- Robust Wellness Program

- New Flexible Work Program

- Tuition Reimbursement

- So much more!

Dairyland Power Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for employment, contact our HR Department at 608-788-4000.

With headquarters in La Crosse, Wis., Dairyland is a generation and transmission cooperative that provides wholesale energy for 24 electric distribution cooperatives and 17 municipal utilities in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.

At Dairyland, we know that happy employees are the backbone of any good organization. By offering an excellent compensation and benefits package, opportunities for career growth and a supportive environment, Dairyland helps ensure a quality business and premier workplace.

Dairyland Power Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.