ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under administrative direction, directs, manages, supervises, and coordinates the activities and operations of the Economic Development Division within the Assistant City Manager’s Office; coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments, outside agencies, and business organizations; and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Assistant City Manager.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of 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.

• Assumes management responsibility for assigned services and activities of the Economic Development Division including business retention, expansion, and attraction programs and incentives; manages and administers a variety of economic development programs and incentives including fee deferral, facade improvement grants, and business retention and expansion programs and incentives.
• Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs; participates in policy formulation effecting business; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.
• Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for assigned staff; assigns work activities, projects, and programs to carry out City Council priorities; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Oversees and participates in coordinating with City staff to facilitate project processing and permitting; provides information and assistance to those who contact the Economic Development Division for permit assistance.
• Establishes and oversees an interdepartmental team for the development and implementation of multifaceted economic development programs.
• Serves as the liaison for the Economic Development Division to other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; acts as liaison between business organizations, individual businesses, and the City; provides information and resources including interpretations of codes and ordinances; coordinates parallel efforts; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
• Performs a full range of marketing and public relations activities; performs research of economic information and provides market data; creates and distributes marketing and collateral materials; coordinates City-wide branding/marketing efforts; prepares and presents information at meetings of various organizations, groups, and clubs; prepares GIS map products; oversees and provides information and direction regarding the Economic Development Division’s web page of the City’s website; produces and writes for the economic development newsletter; provides articles for other organization’s newsletters; serves as contact for press.
• Performs a full range of business retention and attraction duties; visits businesses; provides site location, market research, and related information.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the Economic Development Division’s operating and special program budgets; participates in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures; implements adjustments.
• Provides highly responsible and complex technical support and staff assistance to the Assistant City Manager; conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommends modifications to economic development programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Informs and updates staff, City senior management, and elected and appointed officials on economic development matters, prospective projects, sensitive business community issues, and related matters.
• Conducts public and City staff seminars and workshops on a variety of economic development and related subjects and programs.
• Prepares a variety of reports and documents; provides input and prepares planning documents including the Economic Prosperity Element of the General Plan, Consolidated Plan, and various area plans that include business districts.
• Serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence including for the City Council and the Community Development Commission.
• Serves as the administrator for the Downtown Business Improvement District; administers the mandatory annual public review.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; serves as the City’s representative to regional, state, and national economic development organizations for the purposes of collaboration; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of economic development; evaluates the latest best practices as options for the City.
• Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints. Negotiates and administers incentive and consulting agreements.
• Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of an Economic Development program.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Project management principles and practices.
• 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.
• General planning practices and planning law.
• City of Escondido development permit process and business license process.
• Business, market, and economic indicators and trends.
• Economic development concepts and strategies.
• Economic incentive and financing methods.
• Marketing concepts and principles.
• City organization and functions of the various departments in the City.
• Principles and practices of customer service and public relations.
• Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis, and report preparation.
• Types and locations of business related resources.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and supporting software applications.

Ability to:

• Oversee and participate in the management of a comprehensive economic development program.
• Oversee, direct, and coordinate the work of lower level staff.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Participate in the development and administration of division goals, objectives, and procedures.
• Devise and implement economic development programs and incentives.
• Coordinate projects of all sizes and facilitate the permit processes.
• Understand the organization, operation, and services of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Facilitate, develop, and work with groups to reach City Council goals while satisfying the public group’s goals.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Prepare and administer large program budgets.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Develop and maintain effective interdepartmental coordination.
• Exercise sound judgment and common sense.
• Represent the City in a professional manner when dealing with the City Council, boards, community groups, and the general public.
• Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, council members, board, committee, and commission members, and the general public.
• Conduct effective media and public relations.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, public administration, business administration, economics, or a related field. A Master’s degree is desirable.

Experience: Five years of increasingly responsible professional experience in economic development and planning including two years of administrative and supervisory or project management responsibility.

License or Certificate - Possession of a valid, appropriate driver’s license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Standard office setting with travel to meetings and activities outside of City Hall. CONTINUOUS working indoors, dust from paperwork. Work schedule is 9/80 with alternating Fridays off in a biweekly period. Incumbents may be required to work weekends, nights and holidays. Work environment is both formal and informal, team oriented, having variable tasks, pace, and pressure. Work is performed indoors in office and in meeting rooms.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting and operate office equipment. CONTINUOUS sitting and upward and downward flexion of neck; fine finger dexterity; light to moderate finger pressure to manipulate keyboard, equipment controls, and office equipment; pinch grasp to manipulate writing utensils. FREQUENT side-to-side turning of neck, walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting at waist; moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials; lifting objects weighing up to 20 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 yards. OCCASIONAL squatting, kneeling, and reaching above and at shoulder height; moderate grasp to manipulate reference books and manuals; lifting objects weighing 20-35 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 feet.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents and to operate equipment.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Date: April 2003
Johnson & Associates