Employment Opportunity
Economic Development
Job Title: Economic Development Director FLSA: Exempt Salary Range: $ 90,267.77 - $124,118.19 (Min- Mid Range)
JOB SUMMARY
The Economic Development Director supports and coordinates the economic development activities that promote and enhance the City of Powder Springs, including the activities of the Powder Springs Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the Development Authority of Powder Springs (DAPS) and reports to the City Manager.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include
- Responsible for the economic development activities of the City, to include recruitment of new businesses/industries and working with existing businesses on expansions.
- Serves as City staff facilitator and advisor to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Development Authority of Powder Springs (DAPS).
- Assists in developing strategies for economic development utilizing the community's human and economic resources. Director shall become familiar with all persons and groups directly or indirectly involved in downtown and citywide development, property owners, businesses and related organizations; is mindful of the roles of various interest groups; and assists the DDA and DAPS in developing and implementing annual action plans.
- Attends all DDA and DAPS and meetings, activities and events. Prepares and participates in DDA and DAPS meetings by arranging for space, preparing and sending notices, posting notices, preparing agenda, taking notes, drafting minutes and arranging for refreshments, etc. Works with communication consultant in preparing public meeting notices, press releases, and special advertisements as it pertains to the DDA, DAPS and their activities.
- Prepares reports and agenda items for the DDA and DAPS. Maintains files on the implementation of DDA and DAPS activities. Maintains a file of the minutes of the meetings of the DDA and DAPS for public inspection and historical purposes. Responsible for preparation of budgets, purchase orders, check requests and periodic financial reports for the DDA, DAPS and Economic Development Department.
- Facilitates meetings between various civic and business organizations to create plans and strategies to expand business development, business retention, tourism and cultural development within the City.
Job Title: Economic Development Director (continued)
- Researches and applies for grants and funding for the enhancement of Downtown Powder Springs, the DDA-defined area, as well as other areas of potential development within the corporate city limits of Powder Springs.
- Promotes tourism programs and maintains files on tourism, including but not limited to, demographic data, community statistics, services, assets, programs, infrastructure, commercial property, historic property, businesses and key contacts. Answers telephone, email, mail and in-person inquiries related to economic development, tourism, community information and historic preservation.
- Provides appropriate information as requested or directs the request to the appropriate department or agency. If inquiry is identified as a potential new or expanding business within the City, coordinates with City Manager and City staff as required, and notifies the DDA and/or DAPS of such activity.
- Develops promotional materials and advertising strategies to attract business development, trade and tourism. Promotional materials may include: information packages, booklets and brochures for prospective businesses, tourists and new residents.
- Develops and implements a comprehensive marketing strategy for the City's economic development program, including the department's website and social media presence, enewsletters, targeted outreach to site selectors, commercial brokers and developers, and participation in trade shows and industry events. Manages the City's economic development brand and messaging, coordinates with the City's marketing consultant, and tracks the performance of marketing campaigns to inform future recruitment efforts.
- Attends various meetings of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, South Cobb Council of the Cobb Chamber, South Cobb Business Association, West Cobb Business Association and other civic and community-minded organizations as deemed necessary by the City Manager.
- Attend seminars, conventions, trade shows, and economic development-related meetings as approved by the City Manager.
- Interfaces with the City Finance Director as needed to ensure compliance with reporting requirements.
- Develops and updates a comprehensive inventory of available buildings and sites for economic development purposes.
- Assists City Manager in working to resolve complaints or concerns of business/property owners within the Powder Springs city limits.
- Develop and maintain channels of communication with business owners and prospects, including mail, e-newsletters, phone calls and meetings.
- Work evenings/nights and weekends as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
- Graduation from a college or university with a degree in Public Administration, Planning, Economic Development, Political Science, or related field. Preference will be given to applicants with a master's degree in a related field;
Job Title: Economic Development Director (continued)
- Five to Seven (5-7) years of progressively responsible related work or management experience in economic development, planning, small business administration, public relations, design marketing, "Main Street" administration, public administration or community organization;
- Georgia Certified Economic Developer (GCED) and/or Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) a plus.
- Experience supervising staff, interns, consultants or contractors is preferred;
- Or, any equivalent combination of education and experience.
Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of commercial revitalization from the point of merchants, property owners, public agencies, and community organizations. Knowledge of computers and computer software. Working knowledge of modern office practices and procedures.
- Skill in organizing and coordinating events and meetings. Skill in remaining professional and politically neutral.
- Ability to meet and deal with the public; ability to work evenings and weekends; ability to work one on one with individuals or with large groups of people; ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; ability to handle stressful situations; ability to function effectively in an independent situation.
- Must have skill using a PC and experience with MS Office Suite applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, to compose business letters and promotional materials. Skill in creating, interpreting, presenting and explaining statistical information using MS Office Suite software and other applications.
- Knowledge and skill in the application of business math and interpreting spreadsheets with financial and statistical data, and business intelligence tools such as ESRI
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
Works under the supervision of the City Manager
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
A valid driver's license and a satisfactory seven-year driving history with no DUIs in the last five years.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Computer terminal; personal computer; projector; digital camera; copy machine; 10-key calculator, postage machine; fax machine, telephone, mobile phone and motor vehicle.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, feel or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the Director will work within an office setting, but also frequently works outside of the office and in outside weather conditions.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
There are no supervisory responsibilities
SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference check; job related testing may be required.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types 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.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
The City of Powder Springs is an Equal Opportunity Employer
All applicants must complete a City of Powder Springs employment application. Applications may be downloaded and printed from the website at www.powderspringsga.gov or you may receive an application at City Hall located at 4483 Pineview Drive, Powder Springs, GA 30127.
Contact Information: Please submit City of Powder Springs Employment Application to:
Rosalyn Nealy, Human Resources Director
City of Powder Springs
P.O. BOX 46
Powder Springs, GA 30127
Closing Date: Open until filled.