ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
DEFINITION Under the direction of the City Administrator performs a variety of leadership, supervisory, administrative, and professional work in the design and implementation of economic development strategies, programs, recruitment, and services for the Norfolk area.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS • Provide leadership and direction in the development of short and long-range plans regarding economic development. • Gather, interpret, and prepare data for studies, reports, and recommendations. • Coordinate economic development activities with other departments and agencies as needed. • Manage and supervise economic development activities and programs to achieve goals within available resources. • Plan and organize workloads of economic development employees, review progress, and direct changes as needed. • Create and oversee programs to encourage the expansion of employment within the Norfolk area. • Travel as a representative of the Norfolk area to meet with prospective employers, attend economic development related meetings, and make appropriate contacts pertaining to economic development within the community. • Actively recruit established employers to relocate to the Norfolk area. • Coordinate prospective business recruiting efforts and site visits. • Perform a comprehensive study of local businesses and their potential for growth while offering potential direction for assistance. • Assess needs of current employers within the Norfolk area, prioritize the needs as to the best investment of resources, and make recommendations on how to help grow and retain current employers within the community. • Lead and/or participate in activities and programs to increase the number of qualified applicants for job openings within the region. • Lead and/or participate in activities and programs to promote entrepreneurship. • Provide staff support to various boards and commissions as needed and assigned. • Monitor legislation affecting economic development operations and take appropriate action as needed. • Serve when needed as a leader and/or member of a task force or committee composed of city, county, state, or private groups. • Maintain a positive working relationship with other organizations involved with economic development. • Make presentations to city councils, county boards, commissions, civic groups, and the general public. • See grants or other funding applicable to economic development and community revitalization. • Administer and manage appropriate records for grants and other funding used for economic development and community revitalization. • Work with area businesses to identify trends and address issues at a macro level such as workforce, childcare, and housing shortages. • Research resources/incentives to assist or address business growth challenges. • Attend professional development workshops and conferences to keep abreast of trends and developments in the field of economic development. • Prepare a variety of studies, reports, and related information for decision-making purposes. • Negotiate, coordinate, and manage professional service contracts. • Ensure economic development efforts are in compliance with all laws and ordinances. • Prepare and administer an annual operating budget; assure assigned areas of responsibility are performed within budget. • Monitor revenues and expenditures in assigned area to assure sound fiscal control. • Prepare annual budget requests and assure effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities, and time. • Maintain accurate and complete records of economic development activities, programs, and projects. • Receive input and suggestions from advisory groups approved by the City Council and/or City Administrator and County Commissioners. • Other duties as assigned.
TRAINING, EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND QUALIFICATIONS • Minimum of five (5) years of experience in economic development. • Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with a degree in business, planning, economics, public administration, or related field, supplemented by training in economic development or an equivalent combination of education and experience. • Recent training such as academic courses and certification programs which are relevant to economic development is desirable. • Experience recruiting and working with employers in the areas of manufacturing, renewable energy, technology, and/or agriculture. • Experience in expansion of local businesses desirable. • Must have or the ability to have thorough knowledge of economic development laws and redevelopment plans, including their formation process, adoption, and enforcement. • Extensive knowledge of economic development programs and processes. • Working knowledge of personal computers and a variety of electronic equipment. • Considerable knowledge of HUD Community Development Block Grant and other economic development programs. • The ability to build collaborative partnerships and to create and maintain positive relationships with individual persons, entities, and groups. • Grant writing experience and grant administration. • Ability to prepare and analyze comprehensive reports. • Ability to carry out assigned projects to their completion. • Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
NON ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS As assigned.
EQUIPMENT Requires frequent use of personal computer including word processing and spreadsheet programs, calculator, telephone, copy machine, scanner, and fax machine.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS KEY: N = Never O = Occasionally F = Frequently A = Always
| | N | O | F | A | | :--- | :-: | :-: | :-: | :-: | | LIFTING | X | | | | | TRANSPORTING | X | | | | | PUSHING | X | | | | | PULLING | X | | | | | CLIMBING | X | | | | | BALANCING | X | | | | | STOOPING | X | | | | | KNEELING | X | | | | | CROUCHING | X | | | | | REACHING | X | | | | | HANDLING | X | | | | | PINCH/PICK | X | | | | | FEELING | X | | | | | TALKING | X | | | | | HEARING | X | | | | | NEAR ACUITY | X | | | | | FAR ACUITY | X | | | | | DEPTH PERCEPTION | X | | | | | COLOR VISION | X | | | | | FIELD OF VISION | X | | | | | TASTING/SMELLING | X | | | |
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS | | N | O | F | A | | :--- | :-: | :-: | :-: | :-: | | EXPOSURE TO WEATHER | X | | | | | EXTREME COLD | X | | | | | EXTREME HEAT | X | | | | | WET AND/OR HUMID | X | | | | | NOISE INTENSITY LEVEL | X | | | | | VIBRATION | X | | | | | ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS | X | | | | | MOVING MECHANICAL PARTS | X | | | | | ELECTRIC SHOCK | X | | | | | HIGH EXPOSED PLACES | X | | | | | RADIATION | X | | | | | EXPLOSIVES | X | | | | | TOXIC/CAUSTIC CHEMICALS | X | | | |
POSITION CONTROLS
STRENGTH LEVEL: 35 - 50 pounds