The Economic Development Director performs promotional and consultative work in developing and implementing an economic development program for the City.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: An employee in this class is responsible for working closely with local officials, community leaders, and industry executives for the purpose of promoting the industrial growth through expansion and retention of existing industrial bases, and attraction of new industries and business into the City. Duties include development of data, statistics, and publications which portray the economic potential of the City; identification of prospective industries; and maintain proper records, reports, and public information for the program. Work requires considerable planning and timely execution of work. Decisions must be made quickly with accuracy when dealing with the industrial management teams. Employee must exercise independent judgment and simultaneously must consider financial, socio-economic, legal, and regulatory variables as they affect the City. Work is performed under the regular supervision of the City Manager and is evaluated through conferences, reports and results.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/DUTIES: Serves as initial contact for potential industries and businesses considering new location or expansion; shows sites and arranges meetings with local officials; researches land and coordinates contacts for the property; serves as liaison during plant or facility construction; investigates labor supply, utilities, and works with various groups to ensure the availability of an adequate, well-trained workforce for industrial concerns. Understands local labor supply such as technical schools (Gaston College Schools (GCS)) and identifying what the City and County's workforce is capable of supporting with regard to different industries. Assists developers in the application and permitting process, serving as an advocate for economic development in line with the Strategic Vision Plan, zoning ordinances, and goals established by the City. Develops a network of contacts to identify potential parks and sites; monitors building projects and works with local officials. Researches, applies for, and develops grants and funding sources to support infrastructure improvements; researches, writes and contracts for grants procurement and administration; lobbies and works with Department of Transportation for road and highway improvements and keeps abreast of long-range transportation plan. Develops marketing tools for the economic development of the City including but not limited to: brochures, flyers, booklets, website, and ads, etc.. Identifies and recruits commercial, retail and industry needs and opportunities to grow local economy and balance revenue sources. Maintains contact with state industrial developers, community leaders, and representatives of businesses and industry. Develops business retention program; visits each industry in the city regularly to stay abreast of their status, any potential for expansion, and assists with problems; follows up on requests. Keeps current records on sites and buildings; keeps files and statistics on labor wages, demographics, economic base, maps, profiles, utilities, retail sales, building permits, finances and schools; reports on growth announcements and statistics on various agencies. Serves as staff resource and technical consultant to the City's potential Economic Development Commission, and to City Council; and makes presentations to Council on infrastructure expansion to support new or expanding industry. Researches and recommends strategies and serves on various boards. Coordinates efforts with a wide variety of local, regional and state groups such as Regional Partnership officials, NC Department of Commerce, Local Chambers of Commerce, and others; serves as a liaison for various city, county, and state agencies and organizations. Coordinates immigration, visa, and other issues for visiting staff and dignitaries for international companies. Complete other duties as assigned.
JOB RELATED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS: This position involves sedentary work requiring the employee to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and less force frequently to move objects. Physical activity related to this position may include stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, typing, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Sufficient visual acuity is required to prepare and analyze data and figures; use a computer; and do extensive reading. An employee in this position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Considerable knowledge of principles, practices, and processes involved in economic development; Thorough knowledge of the principles of management, business, their organizational procedures, and financing; considerable knowledge of economic, social, and technological resources available in the economic development field; considerable knowledge of the assets of the community and federal, state, and local laws pertaining to economic development and planning; considerable knowledge of the local, regional, state and federal resources and agencies available to assist with various economic development activities; considerable knowledge of the application of information technology to the development of information and to the recruitment and retention of economic capital; skills in data collection and analysis, and establishment of data bases about pertinent City statistics and demographics; ability to plan, organize, and effectively develop industrial leads for the City including building consensus among diverse groups; ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with industry and business executives and owners or representatives, public officials at the local, state and federal levels, contractors, community leaders and organizations, other department heads, superiors and other employees; ability to analyze situations accurately and make correct recommendations for each industrial contact.
EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in business, planning, economics, or related field supplemented by training in economic development and considerable professional experience in industrial or economic development; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Completion of basic Economic Development course offered by the NC Economic Developers Association desires; Master's Degree preferred.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) preferred. Possession of a valid North Carolina driver's license.
DISCLAIMER: This classification specification has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to perform the job. The physical requirements and working conditions section of this classification may vary from position to position. The City reserves the right to assign or otherwise modify the duties assigned to this classification.
Applicants can apply by visiting https://www.mtholly.us/community_snapshot/employment_opportunities.php​
