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ABOUT THE POSITION

This management classification performs responsible administrative work in the coordinating the City’s economic development program, including industrial, commercial, and retail recruitment and retention. Acting as the City’s economic development liaison, works closely and in conjunction with, community organizations, such as Chamber, Tracy City Center Association (TCCA), and the county-wide San Joaquin Partnership. Provides technical support on economic development issues to other City departments, and external organizations/agencies. Program coordination includes the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a management classification that has considerable latitude in managing and directing the Economic Development Program. Incumbents in this classification have a broad range of independence within policy and procedural limitations. This classification is distinguished from the department head with overall responsibility for the City’s economic development, including economic and workforce development. It is further distinguished from the Economic Development Management Analyst in that the latter performs complex professional research and project coordination work.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

The Economic Development Manager receives supervision from the Development Services Director, Assistant Director in the Development Services Department, or other City management staff.

May exercise technical supervision over professional, technical and clerical staff as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

As the City’s economic development liaison, works closely with the Chamber of Commerce, TCCA, and the San Joaquin Partnership; other organizations, and private and public agencies to promote and facilitate implementation of programs and activities, and exchange of information.

Participates in the development of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities on economic development issues for City administration and for the business and general community.

Plans, schedules, and coordinates the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of economic development programs and projects, including initial planning, feasibility determination, community involvement and acceptance, and implementation with project timetables.

Provides information to corporate representatives and developers regarding the City’s development requirements and approval process, and when feasible, facilitates the process with alternatives to expedite the approval process.

Serves as coordinator among City departments and the City’s finance team to provide information to prospective developers on City requirements and conditions, and to discuss financing alternatives and develop viable finance plans.

Assists in preparing, negotiating and administering development agreements, finance plans, and/or contracts in accordance with contract specifications.

Performs general administrative activities including preparation and administration of the economic development section’s budget, contracts, city resolutions, correspondence, and related materials as appropriate.

Establishes and updates a community profile and inventory to include gathering data on business and community demographics; available development sites, industrial, commercial and retail buildings, land costs and lease rates, transportation facilities, labor market; long and short term financing, utilities; education opportunities, and other related community information.

Provides technical staff support to the Development Services Department, City Manager’s Office and the county-wide San Joaquin Partnership and, as needed, prepares documentation for consideration and action.

Acts as an ombudsman among City departments, applicants and other agencies to streamline processing and implementation.

Negotiates complex agreements resulting in project implementation.

Performs related duties as assigned.

OTHER JOB-RELATED DUTIES:

Makes presentations before various groups and organizations on economic development issues.

May provide lead direction to professional, technical and/or support staff on projects as assigned.
As assigned, conducts economic studies, special studies and needs assessments, including researching issues, analyzing relevant data, preparing comprehensive reports and recommendations related to economic development issues, and preparing grants on economic development activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Principles, practices and issues of economic development including industrial, commercial, and retail recruitment and retention methods, real estate, land use planning, land development process, financing alternatives, and economic incentive methods. Joint public/private sector approaches to economic development and techniques to stimulate and promote economic activity, including marketing and promotional techniques.

Public policy, laws, regulations, and procedures pertaining to economic development.

Financial techniques and procedures relating to real estate and business development, industrial, commercial and retail development, and land financing.

Federal, State, and local programs and resources for economic development, housing development, community development and business assistance, and procedures for obtaining funding.

Principles and practices of demographic research and analysis; and statistics applicable to economic analysis.

Local government administration; budgetary methods and procedures; and program planning, monitoring and evaluation principles and practices.

Ability to:

Plan and coordinate a complex program in conjunction with local community and government organizations, and within established parameters.

Facilitate priorities and program objectives, and balance working relationships when providing technical support on economic development issues to an internal policy board (i.e. City Council) and external community board(s) (i.e., Chamber of Commerce).

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, business and other internal and external agencies.

Communicate effectively orally and in writing on technical information to the business community and general public.

Work independently and exercise considerable independent judgment in resolving issues of significant importance to the City including assisting in negotiating agreements and/or contracts effectively and within critical time constraints.

Operate a motor vehicle in order to attend meetings at offsite facilities and visit various land/facility sites for potential developments/business relocation.

Gather economic indicators and other relevant data, analyze complex information, and recommend appropriate action based on findings. Operate a personal computer; prepare complex written and statistical reports; and develop and maintain an operating budget.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Five Years of progressively responsible professional level experience working in public sector economic development, land use planning, and/or community development department performing complex project work, or related business management experience in the private sector with responsibility for staff supervision, contract negotiation, project planning and development, marketing, land development and/or economic development. Experience in California, current knowledge of highly technical industries and municipal government is desirable.

Education:

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in urban planning, public administration, economics, business administration or a related field. Possession of a Master’s Degree in a related area is desirable.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES
Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain an appropriate, valid California drivers’ license.

TOOLS

Requires frequent use of personal computer, including word processing, database and spreadsheet programs, calculator, telephone, copy machine and fax machine.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here 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 functions.

On a continuous basis, sit at a desk and in meetings for long periods of time. Intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk. Perform simple grasping and fine manipulation. Communicate extensively through the use of a telephone and communicate through written means.

Work in an office environment, with frequent visits in the field to assess potential development sites and/or monitor projects. Attend evening meetings as required. Travel out of the City to attend economic development meetings and meet with potential developers and/or businesses.

Essential duties require the mental and/or physical ability to: work in a standard office environment; drive a vehicle; read fine print, such as blueprints and maps, and computer monitors; operate a computer; converse by telephone, in person and to large groups and be clearly understood; safety lift and. Or maneuver up to 30 pounds; and stamina to work additional hours to meet deadlines. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, toxic or caustic chemicals.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet while in the office, or moderately loud when in the field.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City of Tracy and the employee and is subject to change by the City as the needs of the City and/or the requirements of the job change.

The City of Tracy provides a generous benefit package to employees in the Mid-Managers Bargaining Unit. A summary of key benefits is listed below. More information can be found in the Benefit Summary and in the Memorandum of Understanding (Download PDF reader)between the City of Tracy and the Tracy Mid-Managers Bargaining Unit.

Health Benefits - Choice of Kaiser, HMO, POS and PPO, and Sutter Health Plus HMO health insurance plans available. City contribution fully covers premiums for Kaiser HMO or Sutter HMO with dental and vision and provides a generous contribution towards other plans including Kaiser Point of Service Plan and PPO.

Dental and Vision Plans - Choice of Delta Dental or Bright Now Dental plans available. VSP is available as a Vision plan.

Life Insurance and Long Term Disability - Individual coverage of $50,000 is fully paid by the City. Supplemental life insurance may be purchased by the employee at the same premium rate paid by the City.

Retirement Program - CalPERS (formula dependent upon hire date and membership status in CalPERS). Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation programs available (MissionSquare & AIG/VALIC). The City participates in Social Security.

Paid Leave and Holidays - General vacation accrues at the rate of 96 hours per year the first year and progresses up to 192 hours per year at 16 years of service. Management leave is accrued at 104 hours per year. Maximum accumulation of vacation, management leave, and floating holidays shall be 488 hours. Sick leave is accrued at a rate of 96 hours per year with unlimited accrual. There are 14 paid holidays per year (includes 2 floating holidays).

Management Benefit - Fixed allowance of $960 per year to be used at employee's discretion for job related expenses.

Dependent Care and Medical Spending Accounts - (IRS Section 125): Available to eligible employees on a voluntary basis.

Additional Benefits - Employee Assistance Program, AFLAC, Employee Credit Union, Direct Deposit, Scholareshare529 and Tuition Reimbursement.