Economic Development Specialist Business Development

Assists in the administration of the programs of the Local Development Corporation and the Office of Economic Development to attract businesses into the city and assist existing businesses to expand and create jobs. The work involves personal contact with business owners as well as the economic development organizations in the area to promote the City of Binghamton, the Local Development Corporation, and City of Binghamton businesses.

This work often involves highly sensitive and confidential information. Performance is under the direction of the Economic Development Director and the Executive Director of the Local Development Corporation.

• Program audits for the LDC and the Office of Economic Development including tracking of project progress and verification of completion under various funding programs, including grants and loans;
• Maintenance of files for the LDC including all loan and grant files, files concerning promotional events, files on beautification projects, etc.;
• Administration of the Business Visitation program including arranging appointments, and maintenance of files;
• Administration of promotional programs including parades and other events, beautification projects, advertising, and any other projects or programs initiated by the LDC Board of Directors or the Office of Economic Development;
• Interface with departments within City Hall, City of Binghamton businesses, economic development professionals, LDC Board of Directors, developers and other business agents;
• Maintenance of demographic information about the City of Binghamton and the surrounding area;
• Identification of potential economic and industrial development projects;
• Assists in coordination of project commitments and contract execution;
• Preparation and maintenance of a variety of records and reports pertaining to economic development activities;
• Participation in trade shows and exhibitions to advertise the advantages of doing business in the City of Binghamton

FULL PERFORMANCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & PERSONAL Good working knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of economic development planning, industrial revitalization and promotional activities; good knowledge of the geography and demography of the City of Binghamton; knowledge of real estate field, property appraisal and planning for economic development purposes; working knowledge of public relations and promotion techniques; ability to work in a team environment;

excellent interpersonal skills, excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing; initiative; tact; resourcefulness; discretion; sound professional judgment; ability to operate a personal computer and utilize common office software programs including word processing, spreadsheet, and database at an acceptable rate of accuracy and speed.

Either:

• Possession of a Masters Degree from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees in Business or Public Administration, Management, Industrial Relations, Economics, Planning, Political Science or a closely related field
• Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Bachelors Degree in one of the fields listed in (a) and one year of experience in banking, public or business administration, urban planning, economic or industrial development, or a field related to the development and implementation of economic growth
• Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with an Associates Degree in an acceptable field and three years of the experience listed in (b)