Economic Development Director

general description

the city of hamilton is an eeo & aae. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.

this is highly responsible and difficult administrative, supervisory and technical work involving implementation of the city’s economic development program and related operations and activities. The work is performed under the general direction and supervision of the city manager but extensive leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain close cooperative working relationships with program applicants, public and private sector officials, potential community investors, other city personnel and the general public.

Supervision is exercised over the work of all economic development professional and administrative support personnel.

• plans, organizes and coordinates the city’s economic development programs and related projects and activities;
• consults with the city manager, all city department and division heads and appropriate others on the full range of economic issues affecting or potentially affecting the city;
• develops goals, plans and measurements for the identification and evaluation of the city’s economic development needs and monitors and coordinates implementation activities;
• identifies the costs, timing and other key issues involved in the implementation of the city’s economic development programs;
• develops recommendations for expanding and enhancing the city’s economic development programs in collaboration with top management;
• acts as appointing authority for all personnel within the economic development department;
• directs, supervises, advises, motivates, counsels, trains, prioritizes and evaluates the work and performance of economic development personnel;
• oversees the city’s tax abatement program;
• develops and oversees implementation of the city’s business attraction and retention programs;
• receives, examines, analyzes and evaluates commercial and industrial loan requests and determines eligibility and compliance of projects with available financing programs;
• performs independent analysis of and makes recommendations pertaining to the city’s economic development plan and related elements of the city’s general plan;
• conducts independent research and prepares plans and reports relating to a wide variety of economic development issues;
• monitors the activities of consultants retained for economic development activities;
• negotiates development agreements;
• works closely with local, state and federal officials and private sector representatives to develop and implement programs and projects to attract and retain development within the city;
• conceives and develops recommendations for new and improved economic development initiatives, programs and projects;
• provides advice, counsel and assistance to existing and prospective new businesses;
• attends meetings, conferences and workshops as requested and authorized;
• performs related work as required.

• comprehensive knowledge of the theory, principles and practices of community and economic development, planning and urban redevelopment;
• comprehensive knowledge of the demographics of the city and surrounding region;
• comprehensive knowledge of the city’s available real estate, transportation, education, health, public safety, public utility and social services resources;
• comprehensive knowledge of local, state, federal and private economic development funding sources, including venture capital sources and processes;
• comprehensive knowledge of financial analysis, development financing and community renewal activities;
• comprehensive knowledge of effective economic and industrial development marketing operations;
• thorough knowledge of the city’s charter and relevant ordinances and regulations;
• thorough knowledge of the city’s planning and zoning activities and relevant ordinances and regulations;
• thorough knowledge of the financial condition and markets of existing businesses and industries within the city and surrounding area;
• ability to prepare accurate and reliable reports containing findings,…