Listing Summary
Position Summary:
Under the administrative direction of the City Manager, directs, manages, supervises, and coordinates the activities and operations of the City’s Economic Development Division within the Administration Department. The primary focus of the position will be on existing business retention and growth, Downtown development and revitalization, and recruitment of businesses within identified target sectors. Other key responsibilities include coordination of activities that encourage a healthy and stable business environment and a strong City revenue base; preparation and implementation of long-range economic development plans; and coordination of assigned activities with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Acts as the City’s economic development strategist and aids in the development of short and long-term economic development plans, as well as the gathering of information and preparation of studies, reports and recommendations to achieve identified economic development goals and objectives.
- Directs efforts at business recruitment, retention and expansion, including providing information, expertise, and appropriate referrals to business owners, marketing the City to outside businesses, working with developers and building owners to enhance the quality of retail and commercial space.
- Provides customer driven, problem solving, professional economic development advice, assists in application processes and serves as an advocate for economic development in line with the City’s Comprehensive Plan, the Economic Development Plan, City ordinances and goals established by the City.
- Works with existing businesses and other City staff to identify ways to improve the City’s business climate.
- Develops and maintains data systems to track trends within the business community, including business openings, closings and expansions, business capital investment and job creation statistics.
- Develops and maintains a comprehensive inventory of available buildings and sites in the community for economic development purposes.
- Creates and implements a robust business retention program founded on one-on-one visits with business leaders, group meetings, e-newsletters, attendance at networking events and other means.
- Serves as City resource on economic development financing methods; prepares financial data, forecasts and plans.
- Prepares and maintains information regarding utilities, taxes, zoning, transportation, community services, financing tools and incentives, in order to respond to requests for information for economic development purposes, and the coordination with other departments and agencies as needed.
- Coordinates downtown activities and preservation planning and works with local organizations to focus on downtown improvements.
- Provides administrative and staff support for the City’s Development Authority, providing support in writing minutes, posting agendas and serving as a liaison between the Authority, City Council and other Staff.
- Assists in redevelopment programs.
- Participates in the review and development of commercial design guidelines.
- Provides technical and professional advice and assistance; makes presentations to boards, commissions, foundations, civic groups and the general public. Provides information on economic development issues, programs, services, and plans.
- In cooperation with the Communications Department, develops presentations, informational brochures, information packets, and promotional materials on economic development including maintaining the economic development section of the City website.
- In cooperation with the Communications Department, produces press releases and maintains good relationships with the various media in the City and surrounding areas.
- Ensures coordination of economic development activities with other private and public sector agencies through participation on task forces and committees; identifies partnering opportunities for various programs.
- Maintains records and databases of business prospects and contacts.
- Serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
- Attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the field of economic development; incorporates new developments as appropriate.
- Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities:
These duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. In addition, specifications are intended to outline the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the class and do not necessarily convey the qualifications of incumbents within the position.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business administration, public administration, economics, or a related field.
- Five years of broad and extensive experience in economic development related activities including two years of project management. Experience must include three years of responsible management and administrative responsibility.
- High level knowledge of public relations.
- Possession of a valid Georgia Class C driver’s license.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Operational characteristics, services, and activities of an economic development program.
- Principles and practices of program development and administration.
- Principles, practices and methods of economic development and job creation.
- Business, economic, and market forces and indicators.
- Labor market trends.
- Marketing, public information, and promotional techniques used in economic development.
- Principles, practices, and techniques used in real estate appraisals, prospect management, preparing and reviewing business plans, and the real estate development process.
- Land use planning and related regulations.
- Long range economic development planning.
- Principles and practices of contract development and administration.
- Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
- Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
- Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including those related to commercial and industrial development and redevelopment.
- Proficiency with personal computers and Microsoft Office.
- Excellent written and oral speaking skills.
Preferred Qualifications