Economic Development Coordinator

Job Description: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES) CLASS NO: 515 EEOC CATEGORY: Skilled Craft PAY GROUP: 7 FLSA: Non-Exempt SUMMARY OF POSITION Lead City staff member who works with our economic development partners in implementing a proactive business retention, expansion, and recruitment plan, including providing city information and expertise in the areas of economic development. Assists the Development Services Director in planning & development duties as assigned, including but not limited to boards and commissions agenda management. Engages in enhancing retail and commercial business development, as well as promotion of tourism as an economic generator in the City. Plans, develops, markets, and manages all aspects and activities related to the execution of the Navasota Economic Development Corporation’s (NEDC) Strategic Work Plan. Assists representatives of business, real estate, and the development community in working with the City to bring in new businesses and jobs. Works with City Department Directors to evaluate department services and develop processes for improving delivery to enhance economic development opportunities. Develops and implements business retention and expansion programs and acts as a representative for the NEDC with local, county, regional, and state organizations. Adheres to the legislative requirements and intended use of Type B Sales Tax for economic development and works under the direction of the Development Services Director. ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS 1. Reports to: Development Services Director. 2. Directs: N/A 3. Other: Has frequent contact with department heads, city employees, City Council, Economic Development Corporation Board, Chamber of Commerce, local, state and federal agencies, and the general public. EXAMPLES OF WORK Essential Duties* Works to foster and implement the economic development goals, objectives, and strategies of the city with its economic development partners in industrial development and tourism promotion. Coordinates with business prospects and their representatives to address their development needs, evaluate incentive proposals, and conduct project follow-up communications and visits to prospects. Coordinates the City’s involvement in retail development and coordination with other city departments in the development of sites. Participates in planning and development of projects including short- and long-range projects related to the Comprehensive Plan. Serves as Navasota’s Community Liaison as a Designated Community Economic Development entity (DCED) through the Economic Development and Tourism Department for the Office of the Governor. Receives, reviews, and responds to requests for information (RFI) from the Governor’s office for prospect leads, and coordinates with other entities to submit proposals. Plans, directs, manages, and oversees the activities and operations of the Navasota Economic Development Corporation (NEDC), and works with other city departments and outside agencies to attract and retain primary jobs and businesses. Manages the development and implementation of NEDC goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each assigned service area; consults with the Development Services Director and other city officials in the development of overall policies and procedures to govern the activities of the board. Oversees and coordinates the development and administration of the NEDC budget and the Economic Development Departmental budget; approves the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary. Directs the development and maintenance of data and information on the NEDC website. Prepares agendas for, maintains permanent records for, and attends all Navasota Economic Development Corporation (NEDC) board meetings. Works closely with economic development-related activities involving the Navasota Industrial Foundation for industrial and community development and the Marketing and Communications Manager for tourism development. Assists with policy development. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the business community to focus on economic development efforts, including monitoring relevant industrial and commercial developments and their impact on city operations. Assesses City development needs by conducting demographic and economic research, analyzing market trends, calculating economic statistics, developing information, and preparing analysis. Develops and maintains available property database. Serves as key point of contact for consideration of City economic development incentives and tools including tax phase-in agreements, 380 agreements, Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones, and other economic development programs for business recruitment and business retention and expansion. Communicates approved plans, policies, and procedures to staff and the general public. Researches, completes applications, and assists with the administration of grant funding related to community and economic development. Works to coordinate downtown economic development programs including analysis and monitoring of business development, business recruitment, and business incubation programs. Develops relationships with downtown stakeholders including city and county officials, and downtown property and business owners to facilitate solutions to enhance economic development opportunities. Coordinates the enhancement of the physical appearance of the community by supporting building rehabilitation and encouraging aesthetically pleasing presentation of all signage, displays and streetscapes and develops funding support for said projects. Plans, schedules and carries out economic development program activities including initial planning, feasibility determination, community involvement and acceptance, implementation with project timetables, and review and evaluation. Organizes and assists in City process to be responsive to the needs of the business community. Develops, plans, and implements strategies and programs to encourage business growth, development, and investment while improving the quality and mix of uses of the downtown area. Compiles and maintains website information containing an inventory of economic data on the City, such as population growth, income levels, wage/salary rates, taxes, transportation, vacant land and existing facilities database, and other information relating to factors of business locations. Develops directories and publications to assist companies. Makes presentations to business and community groups. Researches economic development challenges and solutions and prepares a variety of comprehensive reports for policy development. Provides staff assistance to the Development Services Director; participates on a variety of boards, commissions and committees; plans and coordinates department activities with the Development Services Director and other department heads; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Knowledge of: technical and administrative aspects of all phases of city ordinances; and city geographical characteristics; Possess an understanding of effective conflict resolution techniques, diversity of the population of Navasota, and understanding of local, state and federal programs to assist the community in housing, property maintenance and economic development initiatives; City, state, and federal laws and regulations pertaining to land use, environmental impact and municipal capital improvements; objectives, principles, procedures, standards, practices and information sources of City advance planning; community trends and market analyses techniques; statistical analysis techniques; economic development incentive tools. Skill/ Ability to: understand city ordinances and state law and inspection procedures; demonstrate proficiency in both oral and written communication; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other city employees, commissions and boards, state and local governmental agencies, contractors, and the general public; operate standard word processing equipment; and maintain appropriate necessary certifications. This person must possess an ability to resolve conflict through effective means of communication. The person must possess the ability to build relationships with people in the community to establish trust for community beautification and property maintenance initiatives. Individual must demonstrate an ability to relate to individuals of diverse backgrounds and cultures. Individual is a self-starter, independent thinker, and has the ability to critically evaluate complex issues and successfully implement strategies to affect positive change. Individual should possess a positive, empathetic demeanor, and be willing to try new ideas and implement evaluation measures to ensure successes of initiatives. A successful candidate will possess the ability to prioritize work tasks in a strategic manner. ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING Preferred: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, economic development, urban planning, business management, or five years of experience in the field of economic development, community development, city management or marketing, or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Individual must demonstrate a history of proven leadership ability. CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED Valid Texas driver's license. JOB PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND/OR EMOTIONAL REQUIREMENTS The City will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, including the American Disability Act Amendment Act, and all other Federal, State and Local legislative requirements. The Facility will ensure that reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of that position. This position requires walking, standing, squatting, and lifting up to forty (40) pounds.