Economic Development Director
JOB OPPORTUNITY
City of Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Economic Development Director
Description of the Job:
Under the direction of the City Manager, the Economic Development Director administers all phases of a comprehensive economic development program, providing expert professional assistance to the City management staff, outside agencies, prospective and existing business owners, industry, and community residents. A material part of the Economic Development Director's duties will be to assist the City Manager with administration of the City's Economic Development (LB840) Plan. This individual is a member of the City Management Team, focusing on the retention and expansion of existing businesses, attracting new businesses and the creation of jobs while preserving the quality of life in the City of Scottsbluff and surrounding communities. The Economic Development Director will provide marketing, leadership and direction in the development of short and long range plans regarding the City's Comprehensive Plan and Economic Development (LB840) Plan. This position will require working with a wide range of community and business leaders, as well as a variety of agencies and government officials assisting with complex development planning, and serve as the City's economic development liaison. This position will require strong written and verbal communication skills, strong organizational and time management skills. This individual must be self-motivated wit a positive and energetic attitude, and a service-oriented disposition. This position reports to the City Manager.
Essential Functions of the Job:
Provides economic development leadership and support for city staff, outside agencies, government officials; business owners and community leaders, as well as area citizens, with particular emphasis on assisting existing and potential "Qualifying Businesses" under theCity's Economic Development (LB840) Plan; Assist the City Manager in administering and implementing the City's Economic Development
(LB840) Plan, including program participant requirements, loan management, overseeing and ensuring that all local, state and federal statutory reporting requirements for economic development programs are administered;
Supervise the Small Business Outreach/Public Relations Coordinator, providing assignments and overseeing activities, projects, and programs;
Uses excellent interpersonal skills in dealing with complex and sensitive management issues; communicates effectively with staff, council, and subordinates at all times;
Oversees marketing materials and information for general dissemination and in response to inquiries from potential businesses, developers, and site selectors, with emphasis on those businesses that qualify as Qualifying Businesses;
Oversees initiatives for business retention, expansion, attraction, workforce projections and entrepreneurial development, with emphasis on current or potential Qualifying Businesses;
Willingness to travel throughout Nebraska, the region and other states are required;
Oversees the development and implementation of short and long-range economic and community development plans;
Facilitates meetings and planning sessions as required;
Represents the City at meetings both inside and outside the community as needed; conducting presentations to community organizations and at public meetings;
Performs analysis and project research as directed by the City Manager;
Works with the Planning Coordinator, City staff and non-City personnel with all phases ofeconomic development project planning to implement goals, objectives, and policies of the City's Comprehensive Plan and Economic Development (LB840) Plan;
Leads Economic Development initiatives for the City in particular with respect to current or potential Qualifying Businesses;
Participate in professional development organizations and training programs;
Assist with related duties in cooperation with any division or department;
Regular attendance and punctuality required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to attend meetings as required and directed by the City Manager;
Ability to prepare and analyze comprehensive reports;
Ability to review and interpret financial statements; plan documents, contracts, zoning codes, ordinances, maps, blue prints, and comprehensive plans;
Ability to conduct research and studies, including distribution of questionnaires, compilation of data, analysis of data, and inclusion of findings in a final report;
Ability to gain and retain effective working relationships with city employees, city officials, other municipal and governmental agency officials, developers, business leaders and community leaders, as the general public;
Ability to prioritize projects and meet deadlines;
Ability to prepare written reports for presentation to a wide audience along with the ability to verbally articulate facts and figures to a wide audience;
Ability to build collaborative partnerships and to create and maintain positive relationships with individual persons, entities, and groups;
Ability to articulate ideas clearly, both orally and in writing;
Ability to carry out assigned projects to completion;
Ability to review business plans and analyze financial reports;
Ability to meet the requirements of the city's bonding company for a personal bond in an amount prescribed by the city;
Ability to work outside of normal office hours to complete projects and to attend required meetings;
Ability to speak, hear, sit, stand, reach with hands and arms, use fingers to use and operate general office equipment;
Ability to learn new software;
Occasionally required to crouch, stoop, and lift or move 30 lbs. by self;
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree in economic development, public administration, political science, community development, business management, business, marketing, finance or related field;
Prior supervisor experience;
3-5 years' experience in Economic Development, Business Development, or Commercial
Development fields;
Grant writing experience and grant administration;
Demonstrated success in making effective presentations in public speaking situtions;
Demonstrated ability in working as a collaborative and positive team member,
self-directed and results oriented;
Strong knowledge of and skill in the use of modern office practices, including the use of a personal computer (PC), experience with Microsoft Office Suite;
Required strong time management skills, and desire to promote economic development and marketing of the City to enhance development and quality of life for all citizens;
Valid Operator's License.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's Degree in Business Administration, Economic Development, Public Administration, Urban Affairs, or related field;
Economic Development or related Management experience;
Certified Economic Developer (CEcD)
Experience in marketing, research, strategic planning, facilitation, economic impact analysis, implementing incentive programs, and infrastructure planning/development;
Knowledge of and experience with municipal, state and federal economic development programs;
Knowledge of organizations, state and federal agencies, as well as other resources that can assist business/communities with development efforts.
Salary Information:
$68,500.12 – $91,796.12 Annual
The City of Scottsbluff is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The city fully complies with provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Only United Sates citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United Sates will be hired. All new employees are required to complete a citizenship verifications form.
To be eligible to claim Veteran's Preference under the provisions of Section 48-225 through 48-231 of the Nebraska Statutes, you must furnish a copy of honorable discharge (Form DD 214) at the time of filing this application.