Design Specialist Jobs

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is seeking a motivated professional to join its team as the Design Specialist.

The Design Specialist, as part of the Iowa Downtown Resource Center team, will provide communities with commercial building rehabilitation and revitalization assistance, and support the award and management of applicable grant programs.

General Duties

Commercial Building Rehabilitation and Design Assistance

• Develops written and graphic recommendations specific to each property
• Develops and presents trainings and informational materials for local leaders and design committees
• Collaborates with property owners to discuss building maintenance and improvement issues
• Preserves historic properties through design elements
• Coordinates, facilitates, and participates in intensive on-site, multi-disciplinary team to assess potential for redevelopment
• Educates stakeholders on the role of design and explains economic feasibility of property rehabilitation

Grant Management

• Assists with post-award monitoring of projects
• Reviews, scores, and recommends awards
• Provides technical assistance to applicants
• Manages the Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant program and provides assistance for the Community Catalyst Building Remediation program

Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa Support

• Assists with the planning and implementation of Iowa Downtown Resource Center events including the Main Street Awards, Iowa Downtown Conference, and quarterly trainings
• Participates in technical assistance visits of participating communities including Downtown Assessments and Downtown Walk Around visits
• Represents IEDA at state and national conferences related to downtown revitalization and economic development

The ideal candidate will have knowledge of building construction methods and historic preservation practices, the ability to develop conceptual design drawings, an understanding of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, and embodies our Core Values:

INNOVATIVE - We inspire people with our ideas, turn those ideas into reality and know how to replicate success

MISSION ORIENTED - We keep a constant focus on the Iowans our programs benefit

PURPOSEFUL - We nurture a culture of outstanding work, collaboration and diligence

ACCOUNTABLE – We accept responsibility, are trustworthy in our commitments, respectful to one another, and transparent in our actions.

CUSTOMER SERVICE FOCUS – We are courteous, responsive and respectful and serve as a reliable resource for our clients and constituents.

THOUGHT LEADERS – We are imaginative visionaries who find creative ways to reveal opportunities and leverage data to help drive decisions.

Benefits

As an employee of the Iowa Economic Development Authority you are a State of Iowa employee and eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that includes the following and more

Insurance – Health, Dental, Life and Long Term Disability

IPERS (Iowa Public Employee Retirement System)

Leave – Sick, Vacation, Family and Military Leave

To learn more about benefits available to State of Iowa employees visit the benefits web page.

New to the area or looking to relocate to Iowa? Visit This is Iowa to see how Iowa offers something for everyone- competitively low cost of living, bustling cities and neighborhoods, access to entertainment , opportunities for career growth and unrivaled access to outdoor adventures .

The Design Specialist position is a non-contract, non-merit position that is classified by the State of Iowa as an Economic Development Specialist 3. This position is exempt (salaried) per FLSA regulations.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority is an EEO/AA Employer

Our agency uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify .

This is a non-merit position with the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with a major emphasis in the fields of research, planning, economics, finance, public relations, business, corporate finance, journalism, or marketing and four years of full-time experience in specialized technical support work which included responsibility for interpreting laws, rules, and regulations, and/or securing compliance with them; or compiling and evaluating statistical, historical, economic, business, financial or related technical program data;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one year of the required experience for each year (thirty semester or equivalent hours) of the required education.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

Additional Qualification Requirements

Employees will be required to travel. Some positions may require employees to furnish their own means of transportation in order to conduct state business.