Economic Development Specialist

City of Concord•Concord, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Concord’s Economic Development & Base Reuse Department is looking for an Economic Development Specialist to assist the City in rising to the next level of economic vitality. The Economic Development & Base Reuse Department takes a long-term, comprehensive approach to economic development to enhance Concord’s quality of life, facilitate a stable business environment, expand the City’s tax base, provide efficient government services, promote high-quality job opportunities, maintain a skilled workforce, support entrepreneurship, and revitalize downtown and other business districts.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Public or Business Administration, Marketing, Economics, Planning, or related field.
Three years of progressively responsible professional experience in economic development including areas such as non-profit economic development corporation work, city or state economic development, or redevelopment experience including financing, project management, property acquisition, or closely related assignments.
Considerable working knowledge of State and Federal legislation on economic development programs; project management, planning, public relations, negotiations, and economic development principles.
Ability to manage project assignments related to economic development.
Ability to write clearly and concisely.
Ability to effectively apply the principles of economic development to projects and programs.
Ability to operate within budget allocations.
Ability to meet deadlines.
Ability to communicate effectively orally.
Ability to understand and work within the City's planning, engineering, and building permit processes.
Ability to write well organized reports and effective memorandums to communicate to decision makers.
Ability to establish effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Experience tracking and analyzing multiple sources of data to create concise and meaningful reports.
Experience using the professional dashboards of social media to post information and generate ads.
Experience with project management, from planning a scope of work to executing a project and managing progress.
A California Driver's License and satisfactory driving record are conditions of initial and continued employment.

Nice To Haves

Strong writing skills are highly desired.

Responsibilities

Assist the City in implementing its Economic Development Strategic Plan involving business attraction, expansion, and retention programs.
Execute programs such as Shop Concord (an e-gift card program), Business Retention (social media spotlights, business visits, liaising between businesses and City departments, representing the City at business events), and Business Attraction (assisting with site selection, liaising through the permitting process).
Assist with implementing the newly adopted Economic Development Strategic Plan and completing action items.
Perform marketing and economic feasibility analysis.
Participate in the selection and monitor the activities and performance of consultants; administer contracts for the City.
Work with the Planning, Current Development - Engineering, and Building Divisions to facilitate permit processing of key economic development projects.
Serve as liaison between property owners, businesses, City officials, and others regarding economic development projects and programs.
Make presentations at various meetings including those before the City Council and Planning Commission, and the Housing and Economic Development Committee.
Write staff reports for consideration by the City Council and other City Committees or Commissions.
Provide written and oral information on the Economic Development Program activities to interested individuals and groups.
Provide assistance in implementing the Economic Development Program's marketing initiatives.
Provide updates to the City's webmaster for the Economic Development page.
Attend Chamber of Commerce events and meetings of other business associations to function as a liaison for the City and explain current program initiatives.
Seek out and secure funding and cooperation from State and Federal sources for economic development projects and programs, and act as the liaison with those agencies.
Analyze and interpret market information regarding employment, housing, industries, and finance and their impacts on local economic development activities.
Promote the City's Mission to make Concord a city of the highest quality by providing responsive, cost-effective, and innovative government services; understand and subscribe to the vision and values adopted by the City in its Mission Statement.
Oversee lease agreements.
Serve on internal City Committees.
Perform other related work as assigned.

Benefits

A variety of health care plans or a cash-in-lieu benefit if waiving coverage
City-paid dental insurance
Vision insurance (City-paid for select employee groups)
Vacation with tiered accrual increases
Sick leave
11 paid holidays per year
Option for alternative work schedules
Tuition reimbursement
A wellness program that offers yoga and fitness classes, annual health expos, health and nutrition education, as well a variety of mental health resources
Both 401(k) and 457 deferred compensation plans
Participation in CalPERS pension
Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for healthcare, dependent care and commuting costs
Life and disability insurance