Economic Development Manager
Economic Development Manager
Description
The Town:
The award winning Town of Windsor is located in Sonoma County and offers the highly acclaimed wine country experience, along with economic opportunity, temperate weather, safe and well-maintained streets and parks, and a beautiful location. The Town has a population of 27,000 and is situated 63 miles north of San Francisco, 20 miles east of the Pacific Ocean, and 8 miles northwest of the County Seat in Santa Rosa. Incorporated as a common law city in July 1992, Windsor provides a modern, relaxed lifestyle with a growing retail and industrial center for the North County. The Town is currently on a 4/10 work schedule from Monday through Thursday, and is closed on Friday, allowing employees more time to enjoy a work-life balance.
The Position:
Under general supervision, provides complex professional assistance to the Community Development Director, Town Manager, Town Council, Planning Commission, and others on matters related to the economic development of the Town; provides leadership for activities directed towards business recruitment, job development, business retention and revitalization within the Town of Windsor; organizes, facilitates, promotes and reviews economic development programs, sustainability initiatives, and related activities; conducts research and provides analysis on matters of economic development, community development, and sustainability.
Supervision Received and Exercised:
Receives general supervision from the Community Development Director or as designated by Community Development Director or Town Manager. May exercise direct and general supervision over assigned professional, technical and administrative staff.
Class Characteristics:
This is a mid-management level class responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibility, with a primary emphasis on economic development, community development, and sustainability. The incumbent acts as the primary Town liaison providing coordination and comprehensive services to the business community. Successful performance of the work requires a broad professional background, and skill in coordinating assigned work with that of other Town departments and outside agencies. This class differs from the Community Development Director in that it is a specialist in economic development services and sustainability and the Director has overall responsibility for all planning and building functions and for developing, implementing, and interpreting public policy. The incumbent for this class is expected to develop partnerships with outside agencies and business/property owners, lead strategic planning efforts and work effectively with the community in support of meeting the Town's economic development objectives.
Examples of Duties
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Designs, develops and implements strategies and programs for business attraction, retention and expansion efforts.
- Serves as the lead contact and liaison with property owners, prospective new businesses, Town officials, and others regarding development projects and programs that have a significant economic impact.
- Serve as "business ombudsman," as needed, to troubleshoot permitting and development issues with business community, business owners and applicants.
- Works closely with other Town departments to facilitate permit processing of development projects.
- Assists in formulating strategic business development and marketing plans; prioritizes economic development workplans; conducts market research; analyzes current business policies and partnerships.
- Responds to inquiries regarding economic data, trends, resources, and industrial and commercial development opportunities.
- Coordinates and serves as Town liaison for economic development activities with Chamber of Commerce, downtown associations, foundations, regional agencies and organizations, community groups, businesses and other Town departments.
- Analyzes and interprets market information regarding a variety of complex data such as sales tax revenues, employment trends, and demographic reports in order to track, estimate and promote development opportunities. Conducts surveys and other research efforts.
- Manages consultants in the production of special studies and reports related to economic development. Makes presentations at Town Council and Planning Commission meetings and to business and community groups.
Duties related to Sustainability:
- Designs, develops and implements strategies and programs to promote sustainable development policies and practices.
- Promotes energy and water saving programs for businesses and residents offered by local utilities.
- Responds to inquiries regarding sustainability efforts and initiatives by the Town.
- Coordinates and serves as Town liaison for sustainability activities with regional agencies and organizations.
- Conducts surveys and other research efforts.
- Coordinates the preparation/implementation of special projects, events, and informational materials.
Typical Qualifications
Knowledge of:
- The principles, practices and issues of economic and community development, including business recruitment, real estate, and land development process.
- Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations and procedures concerning economic development, and sustainability;
- Statistics and mathematics applicable to economic analysis;
- Principles and practices of grant writing;
- Methods and techniques of program management, contract administration, meeting facilitation, and public presentations.
- Principles and techniques of research and technical report writing and presentation.
Ability to:
- Plan, organize and implement a comprehensive economic development program, including a proactive outreach and communication program which projects the image of the community.
- Organize work, set priorities and exercise sound independent judgment within established guidelines, including using creative ways to solve issues.
- Work effectively with business leaders, financial institutions, citizen groups and Town managers and staff in interdepartmental and diverse team environments.
- Work effectively in a highly visible position.
- Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations.
- Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, and Town planning policies and procedures.
- Effectively represent the department and the Town in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations and individuals.
- Coordinate assigned activities with other Town departments and agencies as required.
- Direct the work of contract consultants.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of education, training and experience that has provided the knowledge and skills necessary to satisfactory job performance would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skills would be:
Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Urban Planning, Economics, Community Development, Business or Public Administration, or a related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in economic or community development, research, business administration or closely related field; a Master's Degree in one of the fields listed above may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.
Licenses and Certifications:
This classification requires the ability to travel independently within and outside of the Town limits. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California Driver's License by time of appointment is required.
Physical Demands:
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various Town and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
Environmental Elements:
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.