ABILITY TO:

• Plan, organize and direct activities of a community and economic development department; review and interpret planning, zoning, land development/infrastructure, code enforcement and building permitting, plan review and inspection activities; identify and resolve a wide variety of interests in the development of land use policy; work effectively with business and community leaders, developers, residents and merchant groups, other City staff in planning, developing and implementing economic development and business attraction, retention and expansion programs; analyze economic studies, financial statements, marketing studies, plans, specifications, and bid documents; skillfully represent the agency in all types of contract negotiations, compile and analyze data pertaining to downtown revitalization
• Manage the department's operations and activities and direct the work of employees; conduct, analyze, and make recommendations on a variety of administrative activities; prepare and administer budgets; interpret and effectively apply pertinent aspects of related Federal and State laws and regulations; communicate skillfully and effectively orally and in writing; and establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Understand, interpret, apply and explain laws, regulations, polices and professional practices; develop and direct implementation of new/changed organizational systems; learn and apply related City and departmental policies and practices; analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals; interpret political and administrative direction and incorporate into operational policy and procedures; prepare narrative, statistical and technical reports; analyze existing systems, processes, and procedures and modify/develop changes as necessary; effectively build and lead teams; plan, organize, and prioritize work assignments; supervise, train, and evaluate personnel; effectively utilize computer applications and technology related to the work and perform database management and spreadsheet functions
• Work successfully with a broad range of people and organizations to accomplish the City's community and economic development goals, represent the City's interests before other agencies; identify and respond to public and City Council issues and concerns; demonstrate political acumen; deal positively with confrontation and controversial issues; and, facilitate community participatory decision making to resolution; work long and varied hours, including evenings and/or weekends if required; work under pressure and time constraints

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Requires any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public or Business Administration, Economics, Urban Planning or a closely related field. A Master's degree is desirable

and

Five (5) years of full time increasingly responsible professional experience in community and economic development management, including three (3) years of administrative supervisory experience, involving program development; business attraction, retention and marketing; real estate development; commercial property brokerage/management; financial analysis; and/or community engagement experience.