Economic Development Specialist

Description

Creates and manages the expansion of the economic base and vitality of the City; develops and manages economic development projects including industrial, retail and commercial development; develops and manages programs to support redevelopment; revitalizes downtown, recruits and retains businesses, and develops tools and strategies with the City and community partners to serve and attract a varied commercial base and sustainable employment opportunities in the city; thinks strategically, develops goals, sets timelines and milestones, and meets deliverables; serves as a primary point of contact for Economic Development; and performs related work as required. This is an exempt position.

The principal function of an employee in this class is to create the growth of the economic base and vitality of the city, downtown revitalization, business retention and new business attraction, and develop tools and strategies with the city and community partners to serve and attract a varied industrial, retail and commercial base and sustainable employment opportunities to the city. Individual serves as a primary contact for retail and commercial development and serves under the supervision of the mayor or his/her designee. This position must be able to work independently, strategically, and with great individual initiative. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, City employees, government agencies, business owners, developers, contractors, other local and regional economic development organizations, and the general public. The principal duties of this class are performed in a general office environment with an emphasis on teamwork; work responsibilities include both indoor and outdoor environments.

Responsibilities

• Proposes, develops and implements strategies to achieve goals and objectives for economic development and marketing for industrial, retail and commercial businesses in Caldwell.
• Creates and manages business recruitment, retention and expansion projects.
• Establishes and maintains a network of private and public contacts to market Caldwell as a business expansion or relocation site, including but not limited to state, federal and regional resources.
• Represents the City’s Economic Development team and Urban Renewal Agency by marketing, recruiting, retaining, strengthening and developing businesses throughout Caldwell.
• Creates, analyzes, produces, and implements marketing initiatives and concepts, which promote economic development opportunities in Caldwell.
• Develops and maintains a list of available properties, potential projects and appropriate uses for the purpose of recruiting, retaining and expanding businesses throughout Caldwell.
• Develops and establishes relationships of trust with property owners and merchants in the downtown area and throughout Caldwell.
• Informs appropriate staff of potential incentives and other resources to advance economic development efforts in Caldwell.
• Provides site location information to businesses interested in locating in Caldwell and coordinates inquire with local economic development professionals, Chamber of Commerce and Destination Caldwell.
• Understands and explains economic development tools, such as industrial revenue bonding, Urban Renewal, Foreign Trade Zone, or other means as allowed by law to interested parties.
• Works with local, regional and state agencies and organizations on building a trained work force in Caldwell.
• Keeps appropriate staff up to date on information, which may affect program goals and objectives and initiates appropriate strategies and policy, change recommendations.
• Regularly reports progress in completing the essential responsibilities listed herein and updates City’s Economic Development team and Urban Renewal Agency on meeting goals and objectives, economic development strategies, progress of projects, results of contacts with business representatives, and other reports as requested.
• Serves as a point of contact for Economic Development.
• Participates in the development and administration of the annual budget.
  Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas as approved.
• Keeps immediate supervisor, designated others fully, and accurately informed concerning work progress and project status, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
• Responds to citizens’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner.
• Communicates and coordinates with others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interagency operations and activities to help keep a positive work environment as well as works as a team member.
• Respects the opinions of others and maintains a positive and professional working relationship with employees, supervisors and others.

• Accepts and performs in a timely and effective manner changes in work assignments and/or how work is performed.
• Performs other duties as assigned or needed by the mayor or his/her designee.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, or a closely related field; or
• Completion of the EDI (Economic Development Institute; and
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively professional level experience either working in high-level management in the private sector in land use planning, community or business development, project management, owned or managed own company, or has executive level experience with a governmental entity performing related recruitment and retention of business interests; or
• Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work.
• Possession of a current and valid driver’s license.
• Travel is occasionally required.
• Subject to a background check.