SPECIAL EVENTS / ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

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 general supervision, assists in planning, and coordinates, executes and supervises a series of single-day and multi-day festivities and community events with the Chamber of Commerce, and other businesses and organizations at multiple locations; assists in the development and ongoing coordination of the Business Retention and Expansion Plan through surveying and interviewing local commercial, industrial and retail businesses; and assists the Assistant to the City Manager, Management Analyst and other City staff in the administration of other economic development projects as directed.

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.

• Assists in planning, and coordinates, executes and supervises a series of single-day and multi-day festivities and community events with the Chamber of Commerce, and other businesses and organizations at multiple locations; exercises discretion and independent judgment; coordinates event structure, design, planning, and logistics, including set-up and breakdown of events; assists in the creation and production of effective advertising, marketing, and publicity for festivals and events; and prepares write copy for brochures, posters, newspaper supplements, flyers, ready artwork, match prints, blue-lines and registration. 
• Supervises the work of, and serves as liaison to, vendors, sponsors, outside organizations, volunteer committees, and/or other persons related to implementation of festivals and events; assists in managing sponsor contracts and benefit packages, ensures sponsor satisfaction with festivals and events; assists with liability and legal issues, preforming research with attorneys and staff on festival and event issues as required; and effectively coordinates interdepartmental teams assisting with festivities and community events.
• Maintains contact and dialogue with Escondido’s major employers and high-impact companies and facilitates an interface between these companies and City of Escondido officials; assists in the development and ongoing coordination of the Business Retention and Expansion Plan through surveying and interviewing local commercial, industrial and retail businesses; identifies needs and opportunities to support existing businesses and develops programs as appropriate; and actively develops an external network to respond to inquiries. 
• Develops and implements business retention surveys for specific sectors within the Escondido business community; catalogs existing programs and services that are offered by other organizations that can assist Escondido based companies; and organizes and manages periodic Economic Development business events with commercial realtors, hotels, wineries, and other business establishments. 
• Coordinates and collaborates with departments, divisions and outside agencies; serves as a liaison with public and private organizations, community groups and other social organizations; provides information and serves as a resource; responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen complaints and inquiries; and represents the City of Escondido in a professional and positive manner with business leaders in order to promote Escondido as a place to conduct business.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new developments within the field of economic development; and maintains awareness of, analyzes and interprets federal, state and local regulations.
• Assists the Assistant to the City Manager, Management Analyst and other City staff in the administration of other economic development projects as directed; may oversee the work of lower level administrative support staff; participates on and provides staff support to a variety of committees, boards, and commissions; prepares and presents staff reports and other correspondence as appropriate and necessary; and assists in the development of long-term and short-term goals.
• 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:

• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs of municipal government.
• Operational characteristics, services and activities of an economic development department.
• Modern principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Economic development and marketing theory, principles and practices.
• Methods and techniques of data collection, research, report preparation and presentation.
• Methods and techniques of statistical and financial analysis.
• Principles and procedures of financial record keeping and reporting.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications.
• Applicable civil, government and administrative codes.
• Principles and practices of public sector contract administration.
• Principles and practices used in grant development and administration.
• Principles and practices of customer service.
• Principles of business letter writing.
• Basic principles of supervision and training.
• Policies and procedures of department.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.

Ability to:

• Perform a full range of responsible analytical and administrative duties in support of assigned programs, functions, and department involving the use of independent judgment and personal initiative.
• Research and analyze problems and prepare recommendations for implementing goals, objectives and practices to provide effective and efficient economic development services.
• Understand the organization and operation of assigned department and outside agencies.
• Interpret, explain and apply pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations as well as City policies and procedures.
• Prepare research, negotiate, and monitor contracts and agreements.
• Assist with budget preparation and
  administration.
• Interpret technical information for a variety of audiences and make effective public presentations. 
• Independently prepare correspondence, memoranda and financial reports and maintain accurate and complete records on programs and operations.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting applications; and develop a database detailing information on existing businesses. 
• Adapt to changing technologies and learn functionality of new equipment and systems.
• Supervise, organize and review the work of lower level staff as assigned.
• 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 including business prospects, local businesses, City and other government officials, community groups, and the general public. 
• Work evening and/or weekends as needed.

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 public administration, business administration, recreation, planning, economics, public relations, marketing or a related field.

Experience: Two years of increasingly responsible experience in economic development, special events or equivalent professional experience.  Experience in administering programs in a governmental jurisdiction is highly desirable.

License or Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California 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: Office and field environments; exposure to temperature swings from indoor to outdoor setting; travel from site to site; exposure to noise, dust and inclement weather conditions.   Work schedule is 9/80 with alternating Fridays off in a biweekly period. 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 both a field environment and office setting, operating 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.

New Classification: August, 2012
JP/Department