Community Development Officer
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER The Municipality of Russell Binscarth is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Community Development Officer to lead and support initiatives that strengthen our community and local economy. Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the successful candidate will work with businesses, developers, community organizations, educational institutions, and government partners to advance priorities related to economic development, housing, workforce development, business attraction and retention, health care initiatives, grant funding, community marketing, and investment readiness. Qualifications: · Post-secondary education in economic development, business administration, planning, community development, marketing, public administration, or a related field · Strong communication, project coordination, relationship-building, and organizational skills · Experience in economic development, grant writing, municipal government, business development, or community engagement is an asset · Valid driver's license required The Municipality offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a growing rural community. Those who are interested are invited to apply by October 2, 2026, with resume, cover letter and references to: Adrienne Falloon, CAO Municipality of Russell Binscarth For a complete job description continue scrolling! We thank all who apply and advise that only those selected for further consideration will be contacted. |
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
POSITION: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
SUPERVISOR: CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
DATE REVISED: September 2026
SUMMARY:
The Community Development Officer provides leadership and support for community and economic development initiatives that advance the Municipality of Russell Binscarth’s strategic priorities. The position supports business growth and succession, investment readiness, housing development, workforce training and continuing education opportunities, community marketing, health care development, grant opportunities, and front-line development services.
Working under the direction of the CAO and in alignment with Council priorities, the Community Development Officer will identify opportunities, build partnerships, coordinate projects, and assist in implementing initiatives that strengthen the municipality’s long-term economic, social, and community well-being.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Work closely with the CAO to identify, develop, and advance municipal community and economic development priorities. The CAO establishes annual priorities/work plans, in consultation with the Economic Development Committee.
· Work closely with the CAO to identify, develop and advance municipal community and economic development priorities. The CAO will establish the employee’s annual priorities and work plan based on Council-approved strategic priorities and, where appropriate, recommendations from the Economic Development Committee
· Develop annual goals, timelines, and measurable outcomes for assigned initiatives, and monitor and report on progress to the CAO.
· Support the Municipality in becoming investment-ready, by maintaining current community, land, housing, workforce, infrastructure, and business information as a resource for prospective investors, developers, and partners, and promoting available municipal, commercial, industrial and residential development opportunities, working with the CAO, planning authorities, developers and prospective investors to facilitate inquiries and projects.
· Identify housing needs within the community and work with the CAO, Council, developers, planning partners, and other stakeholders to encourage residential development and housing solutions.
· Support business growth, retention, attraction, and succession by building relationships with existing businesses, prospective entrepreneurs, financial institutions, government agencies, chambers of commerce, Community Futures, and other business support organizations. Undertake regular business outreach to identify barriers, expansion opportunities, succession needs and emerging issues affecting the local business community.
· Identify local and regional training, workforce, and continuing education needs and work with post-secondary institutions, Park West School Division, employers, and community partners to support program delivery and lifelong learning opportunities.
· Work with schools and community partners to develop and promote entrepreneurial, community, and civic engagement among youth.
· Lead or support community marketing initiatives that promote the Municipality as a place to live, work, invest, visit, and do business, including municipal events, tourism, facilities, attractions, available land, housing opportunities, and business supports.
· Support health care development initiatives by working with the CAO, Council, Assiniboine Valley Health Board, health care stakeholders, and community organizations to identify needs, support recruitment and retention efforts, and advance health-related community priorities.
· Provide information, guidance and referral assistance to local organizations, businesses, developers, and residents regarding applicable grant and funding opportunities, and provide application assistance where authorized by the CAO, and where it advances municipal priorities.
· Support community organizations, recreation, culture and arts initiatives through partnership development, strategic planning, and project development where aligned with municipal priorities.
· Maintain and update municipal website content, social media, promotional listings, business and community resources, and other communication tools related to community and economic development.
· Maintain complete and accurate records of inquiries, projects, partnerships, funding applications and related correspondence in accordance with municipal records-management, privacy and access-to-information requirements.
· Participate in the preparation and monitoring of the annual budget related to community and economic development initiatives.
· Operate within approved municipal budgets and policies and obtain authorization from the CAO before making financial commitments, submitting funding applications on behalf of the Municipality or entering into agreements.
· Attend meetings, conferences, seminars, and professional development opportunities as approved by the CAO to support municipal priorities and ongoing professional growth.
· Maintain regular office hours, a record of activities, and suitable accounting of staff time under the requirements of the position, including preparation of monthly activity reports detailing administrative and functional activities, progress on priorities, and outcomes relative to plans and projections. Evening and weekend availability as required.
COMPETENCIES/REQUIREMENTS:
Skills:
· Effective verbal and written communication skills
· Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain positive, professional relationships with the public, businesses, government agencies, institutions, developers, and community partners
· Sound organizational, project coordination, and time management skills
· Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive municipal, business, investment and development information and identify and appropriately manage actual or perceived conflicts of interest
· High degree of tact, diplomacy and professionalism
· Ability to prioritize work, manage multiple initiatives, and meet deadlines
· Strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
· Demonstrated ability to research grant opportunities and prepare funding applications.
· Ability to prepare professional reports, recommendations, presentations and promotional materials.
· Proficiency with Microsoft Office, social media, website content-management tools and other relevant digital platforms.
· Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with municipal staff and community partners.
· Knowledge of rural economic development, municipal planning and local government processes is considered an asset.
Education, Experience and Qualifications:
· Post-secondary education in economic development, business administration, public administration, planning, marketing, community development, or another relevant field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
· Experience in municipal government, economic development, grant writing, community engagement, project coordination, business development, housing initiatives, or related work is considered an asset
· A valid driver’s license and ability to travel, as required
· Other combinations of education, training, and experience will be considered.