Economic Development Planner

Statement of Duties:

Under the direction of the Director and Deputy Director of Economic Development, the Economic Development Planner is responsible for implementing business development initiatives for the Economic Development Division to support growing businesses in Somerville. The Planner will be responsible for developing and implementing programs to promote local businesses to the community, technical support for business owners, and communicating local policies and programs to the business community.

In addition to these initiatives, the Planner will be responsible for providing technical assistance to senior staff and elected and appointed officials; coordination and development of procedures that support business attraction and retention; preparing written project analysis; developing and managing data collection tools; and managing consultant contracts including scopes-of-work and budgets. Employee is required to perform all similar or related duties.

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type 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.

• Develops and implements City projects, initiatives, policies which are focused on expanding economic opportunity for businesses, improving access and facilitating business growth
• Works in collaboration with external organizations that (e.g. Main Streets, Chamber of Commerce, etc.) that support growth and vitality in business districts of the City
• Manages projects that advance the economic development goals of the City and at different stages of implementation, from concept development and grant seeking to project launch and operations. This includes supervising consultants and monitoring project progress, evaluating consultant work, and ensuring contract deliverables as well as navigating project development with internal and external partners.
• Coordinates associated community outreach and participation processes for economic development projects and initiatives. Community engagement work might include interfacing with the local real estate industry and business leaders; developing marketing materials and strategies for various projects; coordinating and preparing materials for a variety of Boards and Commissions; and working with the citywide Engagement and Neighborhood Services Division to promote business development programs and initiatives to local businesses.
• Provides technical assistance to senior staff and elected officials regarding economic development and business development activities in the city.
• Collects and analyzes relevant quantitative and qualitative data, updates spreadsheets, databases and inventories with statistical, financial, and non-financial information.
• Where applicable, serves as staff liaison and administrative support for the meetings of regulatory or advisory groups which advance the work of economic development in the city.
• Works in close cooperation with the other divisions that comprise the Strategy & Development Department(S&D):
  Planning, Preservation & Zoning, Mobility, Public Space & Urban Forestry, Housing, Housing Stability, Sustainability & Environment
• Other duties as assigned by the Director and Deputy Director.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree and three to five (3 to
5) years’ experience, particularly as it pertains to economic development, urban planning, analytics, real estate development, public administration, or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill:

Knowledge: Considerable knowledge of economic development, particularly planning for the redevelopment and growth of urban areas. Knowledge of the Somerville community, action groups, politics (local), neighborhoods and business concerns. Considerable knowledge of economic, sociological and environmental aspects of planning;
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