Economic Development Director - Pascagoula, MS

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR - Pascagoula, MS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for developing, funding, and implementing comprehensive community and economic development plans, programs, and services in accordance with all applicable laws and City of Pascagoula policies and procedures, with a strong emphasis on retail and commercial development, business attraction, expansion, and revitalization of key commercial corridors and activity centers within the City.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Serves as the City’s business retention and community development strategist and provides assistance to the City Manager in the development of short and long-term economic and community development plans, as well as collecting data and preparation of studies, reports and recommendations to achieve such goals.
• Assists in developing an overall vision for the City’s economy consistent with and supportive of the City Councils economic development goals and Strategic Plan.
• Assists in identifying and prioritizing economic development opportunities for the City.
• Prepares and monitors departmental and project budgets; ensures that all purchases are within budgetary constraints.
• Plans, organizes, and prioritizes workloads and staff assignments; trains, motivates and evaluates assigned staff; reviews progress and directs changes as necessary.
• Works with Grant Administrator to research and prepare grant applications; provides support assistance in the implementation and monitoring of funded projects.
• Provides accountability and control systems for progress payments, reports, reimbursement requests, file maintenance, contract compliance and closeout procedures.
• Provides professional planning and development advice in support of the City’s Strategic and Comprehensive Plan.
• Coordinates and communicates with the City Council, administration, other departments, private businesses, individuals, and groups to determine grant needs; researches possible funding sources.
• Acts as a liaison with state and federal agencies engaged in related activities.
• Monitors pending legislation or ordinances that may affect the department; takes appropriate action as needed.
• Negotiates and coordinates professional service contracts.
• Attends professional development workshops and conferences to keep abreast of trends and developments in the field of community development.
• Coordinates with City staff and developers to include the preparation of development agreements, develop and execute marketing and business development efforts, coordinate with other County and City agencies, and follow-up on business leads/interested parties.
• Must remain up to date on national business trends, expansions, and closures.
• Develops and manages creative methods to maintain existing businesses within Pascagoula.
• Responsible for City incentive programs including researching incentive programs, developing programs, and implementing programs; always exploring opportunities for new incentives.
• Serves as an advocate for business owners and stakeholders when operating within the City departments, locating new properties, seeking financial assistance, and any other stakeholder needs.
• Strategizes and manages tourism and promotes the area to retirees.
• Provides project oversight for several municipal capital projects.
• Any other duties assigned by the City Manager.

The absence of specific statements of duties does not exclude those tasks from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment of the position.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to successfully perform this position's essential functions.

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENT

This position may directly supervise the Grants Administrator and Grants Coordinator on a daily basis, as well as any staff assigned to or…