Thursday, March 28, 2024

St. Mary’s looks to fill vacant economic development position

  • March 30 2022
  • By Alec Bruce, Local Journalism Initiative reporter    

ST. MARY’S – The Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s is in the market for an economic development officer (EDO). Again.

For the second time in less than a year, the “key position” needs to be filled to “support and expand local business efforts and rural economic development,” said Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Marissa Jordan in an email following the job posting last week.

“The ideal candidate for this position will need to have excellent communication (both written and verbal) and project management skills (including grant writing and reporting.”

Jordan, who had been St. Mary’s municipal clerk for years, actually won the position last June after an extensive job search. The role was left vacant when she was promoted to Deputy CAO and then again to CAO, following the departure of David Hutten earlier this year.

Said Jordan: “[The ideal candidate] would need to understand economic development and how to continue to secure growth in a rural setting.

She added that being familiar with municipal government operations and knowledgeable on the role that local government plays in promoting business development will also be an important component to the success of this position.

According to the job posting, the successful applicant will be expected to work 35 hours a week, Monday to Friday, and can expect to earn between “$40,000 and $50,000 a year based on qualifications and demonstrated ability” on an initial eight-month term starting in May.

Candidates should have a degree in business, marketing, planning, economic development or a related field of study. Five years’ experience in planning and/or rural economic development are “desired.”

The new officer “will develop positive relationships with existing businesses, tourism operators, individuals and community organizations to build trust and support; develop and keep current economic profiles of the municipality and provide them to the relevant federal and provincial departments/agencies that are responsible for economic development; and act as liaison between local organizations, businesses, individuals, and representatives of government concerning economic development [as well as] assist in capitalizing on economic development opportunities and projects that are identified.”

Said Jordan: “One of the focuses of this position will be their role on the municipal land development committee. This committee has been recently established by Council with the intention to realize and plan for potential economic opportunities through the development of municipal land.”

Applications including resume and cover letter along with references will be accepted until 4 p.m., Wednesday, April 13, 2022. Email: marissa.jordan@saint-marys.ca. Mail: PO Box 296, 8296 Highway #7 Sherbrooke NS B0J 3C0. Deliver in person during regular office hours.