This is supervisory level economic development work directing the administration of contracts and grants. The employee directs the negotiation, preparation, evaluation and monitoring of contracts with City-related agencies and outside contractors for the implementation of economic development projects. Supervision of a technical staff engaged in securing federal, state and city funding and encouraging business and community participation in urban economic development projects is an important aspect of the work. The employee serves as the primary agent for the department in meeting with other City officials, City-related agency administrators, and representatives of outside agencies to secure cooperation in the development of monitoring systems and resolution of contract problems. The employee is designated as the official final review for all community development block grant invoices. The employee in this class is supervised by an administrative superior.

• Recommends and develops policies, procedures and guidelines for the development of economic development programs which will be conducted by the City and various delegate agencies and are designed to secure federal and/or state funding for projects; recommends projects to be undertaken to create and retain employment opportunities, assist firms in the provision of goods and services to low and moderate income neighborhoods, and prevent and eliminate urban blight in the City; assists in the planning of economic development projects; assists delegate agencies in the development and implementation of neighborhood economic development programs; represents the department and/or participates on behalf of the department in joint economic development projects conducted with other City departments and quasi-governmental agencies; meets with representatives of private industry and financial institutions to secure investment and loans for existing businesses and economic development projects in targeted areas of the City; prepares reports on division projects for review by the Deputy Director or Director of Commerce before submission to other City agencies; communicates directly with federal, state and local economic development agencies in regard to their programs, procedures, policies and regulations.
• Directs the activities of a staff of technical employees engaged in the preparation of scope of services and budgetary statements to be incorporated in final contracts funded primarily by the Community Development Block Grant, City Capital Fund, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and other related grant sources; directs the review and verification of expenditures under contract terms for reimbursement and the monitoring of contracts and grants for performance and other federal, state and local compliance requirements.
• Participates in developing organizational structure and initiates staff assignments; assigns, reviews, and approves staff projects; conducts individual and general staff meetings to discuss policies, projects and procedures; reviews analytical and audit reports on federally, state and locally funded programs.
• Reviews and analyzes all final invoices to determine if all City, funding agency, and contract requirements have been satisfied; reviews and evaluates all reports and supporting documentation to determine if reporting requirements have been satisfied; determines if requests for payment should be approved; prepares program guidelines in accordance with the City's uniform program management system for delegate agencies to follow to insure that contract requirements have been satisfied; assists delegate agencies in proper preparation of contracts, loan agreements, reports, invoices and other documents.
• Develops, negotiates, and prepares scope of services and budgetary statements to be incorporated in agreements recommended for funding; discusses contract terms with agency directors, legal representatives, and fiscal administrators of contracting agencies; delineates administrative and program breakdowns, production goals and units, and time frames; ensures that scopes of services are realistic and conform with approved program proposals; develops and incorporates designs for systematic reporting and monitoring of contract progress; discusses wording and format of contracts with legal staff to clarify terms and conditions; negotiates and prepares program budgets for contracts and agreements with other City agencies and outside contractors; evaluates and approves or disapproves variances on line items for those amounts specified in approved program proposals; discusses proposed changes in total amounts with the director.
• Participates in team meetings to review and evaluate program proposals; develops requests for proposals when needed for conformance with funding agency policy; briefs prospective contractors on program goals, objectives and guidelines.
• Provides technical support and information concerning federal laws and regulations and funding requirements to other department personnel; reviews contracts, grant applications and other documents prepared by other staff to determine technical accuracy and compliance with requirements.
• Serves as final review for all community development block grant invoices and applications.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• the principles and practices of contract development, negotiation, administration, and control as they relate to housing and community development projects.
• the organization, functions, procedures, and resources of City agencies, boards and commissions, quasi-governmental agencies, and private organizations whose activities affect urban area economic development programs.
• sources of funding for urban economic revitalization and area improvement.
• federal regulations as they pertain to contract preparation and administration for the Community Development Block Grant program.
• research methods, techniques and standard sources of information that relate to contract preparation and administration, and that are specifically related to federally funded program.
• the principles, practices, and techniques of contract management and control devices.
• contract expenditure reimbursement policies and procedures of housing and community development programs.
• economics and the techniques of economic analysis.
• legislation regulating area economic development activities.
• project planning methods and techniques.

ABILITY TO:

• supervise the activities of a staff engaged in economic development activities.
• develop and negotiate contract provisions and requirements for economic development programs.
• develop reporting systems and quality control devices for the monitoring of contractual agreements.
• evaluate reported expenditures for appropriateness under contract terms and conditions.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with City, state and federal officials, associates, legal representatives, and outside contractors.
• present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in economics, urban studies or public administration.
• Five years of experience in economic development project planning or monitoring, three years of which shall have been at the full performance level in contract development and monitoring the administration of CDBG funded programs.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

PAY RANGE: EP23
Class Established: 10/1987

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