Department of Commerce Director

The Department of Commerce Director is an energetic, innovative individual who develops and maintains a mission-driven department committed to the regulation and growth of commerce occurring within Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB) Lands. The Director will be responsible for continually reviewing, implementing, and recommending updates to the Comprehensive Business Codes, Limited Liability Company Code, Business Assumed Name Act, and other business codes, as well as the development of regulations and licensing for commerce occurring within the LTBB jurisdiction. The Director takes an active role in overall economic development activities and strategic planning for the Tribe, including assisting in the growth and attraction of LTBB-owned businesses, LTBB Tribal Citizen-owned businesses, and non-Tribal businesses that wish to operate on LTBB Lands. This position also administers all facets of the LTBB and State of Michigan (SOM) Tax Agreement, including reporting and recordkeeping, outreach awareness, facilitation of all tax exemption requests, resolving discrepancies, serving as a liaison between the Tribe, Citizens, and SOM, and making recommendations to Tribal Leadership on potential changes. This position also administers LTBB’s Energy Improvement Program and LTBB’s Hotel Room Tax. The Director will also serve as one of the Tribe’s notaries. Skills & Qualifications EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor Degree of Planning, Business Administration, Public Policy, Public Administration or directly related field to requirements listed above and four years of experience performing similar work OR a Master Degree in Planning, Business Administration, Public Policy, or Public Administration. Preference will be given to the Master Degree. Stated experience must be at the Administrator level in a similar position or very closely related field. Must have demonstrated examples of administering a project related to drafting and implementing regulations, providing technical assistance to startup business; creating a business; or developing, implementing and running a program. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: This individual must have a sound understanding of the relative roles and mechanisms of Tribal governments in relation to trade, interacting with other governments, regulations of commerce occurring within the Tribal reservation boundaries, and LTBB government structure. This individual must have experience establishing, documenting, evaluating and amending regulations, policies, procedures and processes. Candidate must be able to communicate complex data in a user-friendly, engaging format. Must provide excellent, friendly and courteous in-person, electronic and telephone customer service. Must be timely and responsive, proactive and take initiative on known and potential future issues. Must be accurate and consistent in drafting, interpretation and implementation of statutes, policies, agreements, regulations, and procedures. Must maintain consistent and regular office hours during LTBB Government standard workday, so as to remain conveniently accessible to Citizens. Alternate hours may be considered if they show to be in the best interest of the Citizens. Must have good working knowledge of spreadsheets and database software. Good reading and professional writing skills. Must be able to demonstrate strong mathematical skills, including, but not limited to, working with percentages, fractions, algebraic formulas, and calculating interest. Ability to track and analyze detailed information and crosswalk it to a larger picture. Ability to present elected leadership and Citizens with information, easy-to-read statistics and graphs. Ability to create and maintain a webpage and other social media site. Must have a strong ability to understand tax issues and related tax forms. Ability to tailor communications effectively for the audience. A motivated, self-starter, self-managed individual with an ability to visualize long-term goals and break them into documented pieces leading to implementation. Ability to research regulations of similar organizations for best practices. Must be able to work well with external agencies, organizations, and partners. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS: Must possess valid Michigan driver’s license, reliable transportation and be insurable for the duration of employment. COMMENTS Indian preference will apply. Position is contingent upon passing a thorough background check. Duties & Responsibilities ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES: Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following tasks: Regulation & Growth of Commerce: Regulate commerce occurring on LTBB Lands, ensuring Tribal laws are followed. Ensure a strong, fair, and competitive marketplace for commerce occurring within the LTBB jurisdiction. Establish regulations designed to protect consumers, as well as the Tribe. Develop, propose, revise, and implement statutes, regulations, licensing, and policies for commerce occurring within the LTBB jurisdiction. Review and recommend official updates to the Comprehensive Business Codes, Limited Liability Company Code, Business Assumed Name Act, and other business codes. Register businesses under LTBB law, including DBAs, LLCs, and Corporations, and process and maintain all related filings such as Certificates of Good Standing, Amendments to Articles, Dissolutions, etc. Research and share business resources with LTBB-owned and LTBB Citizen-owned businesses. Lead economic development and strategic planning for the Tribe. Promote LTBB’s economic advantages and market LTBB Tribal Citizen products and services to spur economic development. Analyze data to prepare user-friendly reports on all areas related to commerce. LTBB/State of Michigan (SOM) Tax Agreement: Administer all facets of the Tax Agreement and any future similar agreements. Process all requests related to the Tax Agreement, including issuing Tribal Certificates of Exemption. Provide outreach and awareness of the Tax Agreement to ensure Citizens and businesses are aware of the available exemptions. LTBB Energy Improvement Program: Administer and oversee all facets of the LTBB Energy Improvement Program. Market the Program to owners of eligible property. Negotiate with applicants the terms of Special Assessment Agreements for projects financed by the Tribe. LTBB Hotel Room Tax: Establish rules of procedure for the prompt and efficient application, interpretation, effectuation, administration, and enforcement of the Hotel Tax Act. Audit tax returns. Maintain books and records that show the collection of all taxes, fines, fees, interest, and penalties imposed and collected. General: Prepare all forms, instructions, manuals, and other materials as are necessary for the facilitation of Departmental programs. Represent the Department at LTBB’s annual Community Meeting. Conduct special studies or surveys in areas such as feasibility of offering new services, improvement of efficiency of services offered, and analyzing effectiveness of past services. Salary & Benefits $65,068 to $97,602 annually #J-18808-Ljbffr