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Economic Mobility Program Specialist

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Economic Mobility Program Specialist

Salary

$110,988.00 - $163,217.00 Annually

Location

Rochester MN 55904, MN

Job Type

Limited Term - FT

Job Number

20250083

Department

Administration

Opening Date

11/10/2025

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The City of Rochester invites applications for the position of:

Economic Mobility Program Specialist

Limited Term Role

The City of Rochester is committed to a community where all members feel a sense of belonging. We commit to recognizing the diversity of our community members, listening to ALL voices and providing equitable services to create an inclusive place to live, play and work.

We believe EQUITY should be at the center of all our work. We strive to represent our community in our teammates, as we know that diverse and inclusive teams are more innovative, and have an empowering impact on the work, progress and culture of our community.

It takes us all working together

Nature of Work

The Economic Mobility Program Specialist is a strategic, collaborative position responsible for coordinating and implementing economic mobility and opportunities for the City of Rochester. The role drives equity initiatives that expand financial security and opportunity for residents. Key responsibilities include identifying systemic barriers, implementing strategic priorities, and integrating economic mobility goals into City planning and service delivery. The role supports the development and management of data-informed programs in workforce development, housing stability, income growth, healthcare access, education pathways, and financial empowerment.

The position facilitates inclusive community engagement, builds strong cross-sector partnerships, and represents the City at regional and national convenings. It also oversees program evaluation through performance metrics, policy analysis, and reporting to leadership, elected officials, and community stakeholders

Limited Term:

This position is anticipated to last 30 months from the date of hire. Continued employment is contingent upon the availability of allocated funds, as well as favorable performance by the incumbent. At the end of this time, the position will be eliminated unless the City elects continuation.

Starting salary range is $110,988 to $130,573 depending on qualifications, with advancement to $163,217.

To have your application considered in the first round of reviews, please apply before Monday, December 1, 2025. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

*Manage and implement economic mobility initiatives that support the City’s strategic priorities

+ Identify strategic priorities and systemic barriers that limit residents’ opportunities for financial security and economic advancement.

+ Collaborate with leadership to ensure economic mobility goals are integrated into City planning, budgeting, and service delivery.

+ Design and implement data-informed initiatives addressing workforce development, income growth, housing stability, education pathways, financial empowerment, and other mobility factors.

+ Lead or participate in cross-departmental teams focused on equity and economic inclusion.

+ Prepare grant proposals and manage budgets for economic mobility-related projects.

*Community Engagement & Partnerships

+ Develop and facilitate inclusive engagement processes that co-design strategies with impacted communities, community-based organizations, and local institutions.

+ Collaborate with City departments involved in development services, permitting, and business licensing to identify opportunities to streamline processes that disproportionately impact small businesses, entrepreneurs, and underrepresented communities.

+ Analyze regulatory systems and service delivery models to uncover structural barriers to economic participation, and support the design and implementation of equitable process improvements that enhance access, reduce administrative burden, and increase transparency.

+ Build and maintain strong relationships across City departments, partner agencies, nonprofit stakeholders, and the business community to advance shared goals.

+ Represent the City at annual convenings and cohort meetings with International City Management Association (ICMA).

*Evaluation & Reporting

+ Develop and maintain metrics and performance dashboards to track progress, evaluate outcomes, and inform continuous improvement.

+ Conduct research and policy analysis to guide program development and policy recommendations.

+ Draft and present reports, implementation plans, and policy recommendations to City leadership, elected officials, and community stakeholders.

Perform other duties as assigned or necessary.

*Essential Duties

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

A Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Public Policy or closely related field AND five years of experience in public sector or non-profit economic development, equitable community engagement, workforce development or related field.

An equivalent combination of education to successfully perform the essential duties of the job may be substituted for the required amount of experience.

Licenses and/or Certifications

Valid driver's license

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to travel periodically for cohort convenings and professional development.

Ability to participate in regular virtual and annual in-person meetings with other EMO SA grantees

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.

In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Physical demands that may be required continuously (2/3 or more of the time), frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) are noted below:

Continuous demands: sitting and simultaneous use of hands, wrists, and fingers

Frequent demands: reaching and carrying

Occasional demands: standing, walking, fine dexterity, lifting, handling, pushing, pulling, kneeling, crouching, bending, and foot controls.

Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this position include: sight, hearing, touch.

Environmental conditions that may exist in the performance of the essential functions of this job include: not substantially exposed to environmental conditions during the performance of office work.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT AND RETIREMENT SUMMARY (https://www.rochestermn.gov/home/showdocument?id=36371&t=637988555643816877)

01

The following supplemental information may be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Be certain that the choices you make correspond to the information you have provided in your application and resume. You must be honest and accurate in answering the supplemental questions and do not type "see resume". You may also be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during an interview for this position. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is true and accurate. Any information provided may be reviewed by the hiring manager. Any misstatements or falsification of information will eliminate you from consideration or may result in dismissal. Do you understand and agree with this statement?

+ Yes

+ No

02

What is your preferred name?

03

Which of the following best describes your level of education?

+ High school diploma or equivalent G.E.D.

+ Less than 2 years post-secondary training

+ Completion of a 2 year program or degree

+ Completion of a 4 year program or degree

+ Completion of a Master's degree or higher

+ None of the above

04

Other than your High School diploma/GED, which of the following best describes the field of study for your degree?

+ Public Administration

+ Business Administration

+ Social Science

+ Public Policy

+ A field of study closely related to the above

+ My degree is in an area NOT RELATED to any of the above

+ N/A - I do not have a degree

05

Which of the following best describes your years of full-time employment experience performing work related to public sector or non-profit economic development, equitable community engagement, and/or workforce development?

+ No experience

+ Less than 1 year

+ More than 1 year, but less than 3 years

+ More than 3 years, but less than 5 years

+ More than 5 years, but less than 7 years

+ More than 7 years, but less than 9 years

+ More than 9 years, but less than 11 years

+ More than 11 years

06

Describe your employment experience in public sector or non-profit economic development, equitable community engagement, workforce development or related field. If no experience, type N/A.

07

Which of the following bests describes your experience developing or implementing economic mobility initiatives?

+ Limited - Some exposure through related work (e.g., housing, workforce, or education programs)

+ Moderate - Direct experience contributing to one or more economic mobility programs

+ Extensive - Led or managed cross-sector initiatives addressing systemic barriers to mobility

+ N/A - I have no experience in this area

08

Which areas have you worked in as part of your economic mobility efforts? (Select all that apply)

+ Workforce Development

+ Income growth / living wage initiatives

+ Affordable housing / housing stability

+ Education or career pathways

+ Financial empowerment / asset building

+ Small business or entrepreneurship support

+ Policy and systems change

+ None of the above

09

Does any of your experience including the following: (Check all that apply)

+ Develop and facilitate public outreach programming and co-design strategies

+ Research and apply for grants

+ Policy development and analysis

+ Manage and implement economic mobility initiatives or programs

+ Implement change of processes that disproportionately impact small businesses and underrepresented communities

+ Design equitable process solutions

+ N/A - I do not have any of the experience listed above.

10

Which of the following best describes your overall employment experience managing or leading projects?

+ N/A - I have no experience in this area

+ Limited - I have been responsible for managing simple project(s) with a predetermined scope and timeline, involving a single process or functional area.

+ Moderate - I have been responsible for managing complex project(s) with a broader scope and undefined timeline, providing work direction to internal resources, and involving multiple functional areas.

+ Extensive - I have been responsible for initiating, designing and executing project plans; defining the scope and establishing the timeline; monitoring the project budget; providing work direction to internal and external resources; and involving multiple functional areas and/or entities.

11

Tell us how your professional, educational and lived experiences would help you be successful in this role.

12

Describe what specifically about this job inspired you to apply and what the City of Rochester would gain in having you onboard.

13

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: City policy requires that finalists are required to undergo a background investigation which may include, but not limited to: verification of employment and educational records, identification verification, driver's license record and a criminal history. Please note that a criminal conviction does not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration for employment with the City of Rochester. If selected as a finalist, are you willing to undergo a background investigation?

+ Yes

+ No

Required Question

Employer

City of Rochester

Address

201 4th Street SE Rochester, Minnesota, 55904

Phone

(507) 328-2555

Website

https://www.rochestermn.gov/employment

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