Economic Development Specialist/Planner

Description

The Village of Mundelein is seeking highly motivated individuals to fill the position of Economic Development Specialist/Planner within the Community Development Department. 

Under the general supervision of the Director of Community Development, the Economic Development Specialist/Planner supports the Village’s strategic goals by managing programs, initiatives, and policies that foster a vibrant business environment, strengthen the local tax base, and enhance Mundelein’s overall economic vitality. This position combines traditional economic development responsibilities with professional planning skills to guide redevelopment, analyze market conditions, facilitate development projects, and support long-range planning efforts.

The role requires strong relationship-building skills, technical planning knowledge, and the ability to work collaboratively across departments, external organizations, elected officials, businesses, and residents. Mundelein is continuing to invest in redevelopment, activate strategic corridors, and reinforce its position as a dynamic community for residents and businesses. The Economic Development Specialist/Planner plays a critical role in supporting these efforts through data-driven recommendations, development facilitation, and strategic relationship-building.

Economic Development

• Implement the Village’s economic development strategies, focusing on business attraction, expansion, and retention.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for developers, brokers, business owners, and prospective investors.
• Manage and coordinate incentives such as TIF districts, façade programs, tax rebates, or grant opportunities, ensuring compliance with Village policies and state requirements.
• Analyze market trends, demographic data, economic indicators, and development opportunities to inform policy recommendations.
• Develop marketing materials, maintain economic development website content, and coordinate outreach to promote Mundelein as a business-friendly community.
• Represent the Village at regional economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, and professional associations.
• Oversee and maintain an inventory of available commercial and industrial properties.
• Prepare reports and presentations for the Village Board, committees, and community partners.

Planning & Development

• Review development proposals, zoning applications, site plans, and redevelopment concepts for consistency with the Comprehensive Plan, zoning code, and community goals.
• Assist in preparing long-range planning documents, corridor plans, housing studies, and land-use analyses.
• Conduct research and prepare planning reports, maps, graphics, and public-facing materials.
• Collaborate with planners, engineers, and other staff on development review, permitting processes, and project management.
• Participate in public meetings, workshops, and hearings, providing professional planning recommendations.
• Assist in updating zoning regulations, design guidelines, and planning policies to support economic development objectives.

Essential Job Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Regular and reliable attendance is required;
• Review applications for residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use development;
• Research and provide recommendations for Village policies, ordinances, and planning documents; 
• Assist with project management relating to large development projects, redevelopment projects, and consultant work;
• Review applications for zoning variances and other applications for conformance with applicable regulations and policies;
• Serve as staff liaison for review boards, ad-hoc committees, and elected officials (including technical advice, reports, and presentations);
• Represent the Village at meetings, conferences, trade shows, and community events, which may occur outside of traditional businesses hours;
• Draft articles for press releases and Village newsletters;
• Assist with outreach to existing businesses and new business prospects; 
• Review and report on economic development activities including rental rates, available properties, construction costs, and other related activities;
• Track vacancy information and assist with report development; 
• Other similar duties.

Requirements

Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Studies; Urban Planning; Business; Public Administration; or other applicable discipline from an accredited college. 
• Relevant work experience may be substituted for education. 
• Designation as a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) by the International Economic Development Council or ability to obtain certification is preferred.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent writing skills and attention to detail;
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills;
• Valid driver’s license and ability to pass Village driving skills test;
• Ability to use a scale and read blueprints, landscape plans, architectural elevations, and site plans;
• Ability to communicate effectively with officials, coworkers, the general public, representatives of organizations, and others to exchange or convey information.
• Moderate level of understanding of zoning, planning, development practices, development and economic incentive agreements, and land use law;
• Proficiency and understanding of the Microsoft Office Suite, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel; and Microsoft PowerPoint; 
• Advanced experience with Microsoft Access or databases is a plus;
• Fluency in foreign languages reflective of the community is a plus;
• Experience and familiarity with one or more of the following programs is preferred: Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, PhotoShop, Illustrator), AutoCAD, Sketchup, ArcGIS/ArcMap.

Work Environment

The position is for a professional office environment that includes dedicated desk space, computers, office equipment, meetings in conference rooms, and occasional off-site visits and meetings. Applicant is anticipated to spend a majority of the time at a desk writing reports or in meetings, with occasional field work. Occasionally staff has been known to assist with room setup for events including moving furniture and accessing electronics. Meetings at construction sites and manufacturing facilities may take place from time to time.

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 position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Duties are primarily performed in an office environment and occasionally requires driving. Duties may be performed outside in varying weather conditions as assigned. 
• The employee is occasionally required to talk to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk, and hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and use their hands to handle, or reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must regularly lift and/or move more than 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and color vision.

Salary and Benefits

The expected starting salary for this position is $84,229 annually. 

The salary range for this role is $84,229 to $110,914 annually. Employees may be eligible for annual step increases on their hire-date anniversary, in accordance with the Village's compensation plan. Cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), if approved by the Village Board, may also be provided at the start of the fiscal year. 

The Village of Mundelein offers a comprehensive benefits package including participation in the IMRF pension program; medical, dental, vision, and group term life and AD&D insurance; and paid sick time, vacation, and holiday pay. The Village pays up to 85% of the monthly medical insurance premium and 100% of the monthly premiums for dental, vision, and group term life and AD&D insurance. The Village also offers additional benefits, including but not limited to, medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs), a 457(b) deferred compensation plan, and tuition reimbursement.

The Economic Development Specialist/Planner position will remain open until filled. The first review of applications will begin on November 1, 2026.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

The Village of Mundelein is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. The Village of Mundelein does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.