Director of Economic Development

SUMMARY

Manages all economic development functions of the City including business recruitment expansion retention incentives strategic planning and marketing activities. Plans develops and implements activities and operations pursuant to the vision of the City of Haslet.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

May provide project coordination or functional direction to staff consultants contractors or other project participants but does not supervise City employees unless specifically assigned.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Develops and implements short- and long-term economic development strategies consistent with City Council priorities adopted plans land-use goals infrastructure planning and the Citys vision for growth.
• Proactively identifies and recruits commercial retail office industrial and other businesses aligned with City goals; negotiates with industry representatives to encourage the location retention or expansion of business in the City.
• Maintains effective working relationships with developers brokers site selectors property owners chambers and regional economic development partners; represents the City at local regional state and national economic development meetings conferences trade shows and site visits.
• Develops an annual recruitment and outreach strategy identifying targeted businesses retailers restaurants developers and other prospective investment partners; plans and coordinates the Citys participation in major economic development and commercial real estate events including ICSC Las Vegas.
• Maintains current information on available properties development sites zoning infrastructure utilities demographics and market conditions relevant to business recruitment and site selection; develops and maintains marketing and promotional materials used to attract prospective businesses developers and investors.
• Facilitates economic development projects from initial inquiry through completion coordinating with Planning Engineering Public Works Building Services Finance and other departments to address development requirements infrastructure needs and potential barriers; serves as a liaison with new businesses to assist with permitting water and sewer service fire codes zoning and certificates of occupancy.
• Evaluates proposed projects and potential incentives including anticipated investment employment tax revenues and infrastructure impacts; negotiates prepares administers and monitors economic development agreements incentive agreements and grants.
• Serves as liaison to and provides staff support and professional guidance to economic development boards corporations committees and advisory bodies as assigned; coordinates agendas associated materials minutes and meetings to ensure they are posted and conducted appropriately.
• Serves as liaison to chambers agencies utilities educational institutions and regional partners as assigned.
• Monitors economic demographic development and market trends; maintains relevant data; and identifies opportunities to strengthen and diversify the Citys commercial and industrial tax base.
• Prepares and administers the departmental budget; forecasts funds needed for equipment materials and supplies; monitors expenditures and implements adjustments as necessary.
• Prepares staff reports agenda materials presentations analyses recommendations and regular activity reports for the City Administrator and City Council.
• Maintains confidentiality of proprietary or sensitive information as required or permitted by law.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Knowledge of economic development principles municipal operations Texas economic development tools and incentives and commercial and industrial development processes.
• General understanding of municipal planning zoning infrastructure utilities development review and permitting.
• Ability to proactively identify pursue and develop business recruitment and investment opportunities.
• Ability to analyze development proposals and financial economic demographic property and market information.
• Ability to build effective relationships with businesses developers brokers site selectors property owners elected and appointed officials City staff regional partners and the public.
• Ability to coordinate complex projects manage multiple priorities and exercise sound judgment initiative discretion and confidentiality.
• Ability to communicate effectively and prepare and present clear reports correspondence presentations and recommendations.
• Strong organizational project management analytical interpersonal problem-solving and technology skills.

REQUIRED EDUCATION EXPERIENCE AND LICENSES / CERTIFICATIONS

• Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university in Economic Development Public Administration Business Administration Urban Planning Finance Marketing Real Estate or related field; and
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in economic development municipal government commercial development business recruitment real estate development or a closely related field.
• Valid Texas Class C Drivers License required.

OR

• Masters Degree from an accredited college or university in Economic Development Public Administration Business Administration Urban Planning Finance Marketing Real Estate or related field; and
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in economic development municipal government commercial development business recruitment real estate development or a related field.
• Valid Texas Class C Drivers License required.

OR

• Any combination of related education experience certifications and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job.

PREFERRED EDUCATION EXPERIENCE AND LICENSES / CERTIFICATIONS

• Completion of the Basic Economic Development Course (BEDC)
• Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) Certification

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily performed in a professional office environment and includes interaction with City staff elected and appointed officials businesses developers property owners and the public. Physical demands include sitting standing walking communicating verbally and in writing operating standard office equipment visiting development or construction sites and ability to lift and carry items up to 25 pounds.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must pass a pre-employment drug test.
• Must pass a drivers license check criminal history background check and social security number verification.
• Ability to attend City Council corporation committee and other evening meetings as required.
• Ability and willingness to travel locally regionally and out of state for recruitment conferences trade shows business meetings site visits and professional development; periodic overnight and multi-day travel is required.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

The City of Haslet provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoff recall transfer leaves of absence compensation and training.

This job description is not an employment agreement contract agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

ADA/EOE/ADEA