Economic Development Specialist

Economic Development Specialist

Salary Range: $63,296.00 To $82,285.00 Annually

Economic Development Specialist 

FLSA:  Exempt

GENERAL STATEMENT:

Under general direction, provides leadership and management of the City’s economic development efforts.  The position acts as a liaison between the city and businesses in order to ensure the expansion of the City’s tax base, employment base and overall quality of life.   The activities of the position are focused in the following areas:

• Traditional economic development activities such as business attraction, retention and expansion programs and initiatives.
• People/labor-based activities including programs to facilitate the retention and attraction of young professionals, entrepreneurial business development and economic base expansion in concert with regional institutions of learning.
• Participation in place-based initiatives that are intended to improve quality of life in the city and region.
• Lead efforts to create a variety of analytical tools to be used to measure ROI of city resources to support economic development.
• Create a baseline of existing business activity in the city including overall commercial property valuation, business license information (# of businesses and overall gross receipts) and number of jobs by category).
• Recommend policy initiatives designed to further city's economic development goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establishes programs and practices that facilitate private sector projects resulting in capital investment, job creation, expanded tax base and ancillary improvement in overall quality of life.
• Creates a framework for encouraging and facilitating entrepreneurial-based business development by coordinating access to local, regional and state resources.
• Oversees business/industry outreach efforts including business attraction, retention and expansion activities.
• Facilitates the retention of young adults and professionals in the City.
• Experience with and knowledge of the full range of economic development and strategic planning for economic growth, retention, rehabilitation and effective change in an urban/central city context.
• Strong management, strategic planning and budgeting skills.  Knowledge of principles and practices of business administration, including marketing.
• Familiarity with federal and state economic development financial and non-financial assistance and incentive programs.
• Demonstrates an ability to plan, coordinate, lead and monitor complex projects, prepare work plans, develop protocols, standards and define and appropriately measure results.
• Demonstrates an ability to listen, speak and write in an effective manner, with a diverse group of individuals including elected officials, department and office directors, representatives of other jurisdictions and private organizations and the general public.
• Extensive knowledge of the latest technology and a grasp of digital and electronic social media tools.
• Demonstrates an ability to transfer one’s knowledge to others and positively influence others.
• Demonstrates an ability to lead planning activities and assist elected officials, department and office directors, staff and customers in problem solving and analysis.
• Performs other duties as required.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• BS/BA degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or related field; and
• 3 - 5 years economic development experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• MS/MA degree in Business Administration, public administration or related field.
• Proven leadership and management skills with demonstrated integrity, flexibility and initiative.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with some travel to different sites; incumbent may be required to work extended hours, including evenings and weekends.