This is economic development work at the full performance level providing planning, analysis, monitoring and technical support services for projects and programs designed to promote economic development to revitalize economic conditions in targeted urban areas. Employees in this class provide support services to individual businesses and business associations, develop and implement plans and strategies for business attraction and retention, monitor and promote economic development incentives in targeted areas of the city, and review activities of contracted agencies engaged in carrying out development projects. Contact with other governmental and quasi-governmental agencies, the private business sector, and community organizations, groups and residents is of major significance to the work. An employee in this class works under the direction of an administrative superior.

ALLOCATING FACTORS: ( The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)

• The position must perform full performance economic development work in the attraction and retention of businesses in a City-wide program designed to provide economic stimulus.

• Receives requests from private businesses for assistance in securing City services or resolving problems with governmental agencies; evaluates nature of issue or concern and determines appropriate agency to contact in order to facilitate the request; contacts agency to initiate or expedite resolution to problem; notifies business requestor of action taken and anticipated results; performs followup to insure that issue or problem is satisfactorily resolved.
• Develops strategies for promoting economic development in areas of the City designated as eligible to receive special funding and incentives as part of the Enterprise Zone program; evaluates potential for revitalization of business activity in targeted areas; analyses existing conditions and programs in targeted areas; plans and prepares descriptions of proposed economic development project objectives, financing, schedules, and estimates of impact on targeted areas; researches governmental and private sources of funding for projects; determines if projects are appropriate for targeted areas.
• Develops and implements plans for establishing new or improving existing private business associations and community development corporations in targeted areas; informs businesses in targeted areas of available incentives and City services; arranges for the provision of City services or recommends improvements and expansions to foster increased business activity; provides technical assistance to business organizations; assists associations in preparation and distribution of promotional materials; meets with business and community groups to discuss projects, gain community support and cooperation and elicit suggestions.
• Reviews contracts submitted by delegate agencies to determine fiscal soundness and compliance with Federal, State and City requirements; negotiates revisions of contract terms with delegate agency representatives; reviews and revises applications for funding prepared by agencies; reviews vouchers for reimbursement submitted by delegate agencies for compliance with contract terms; approves or disapproves vouchers; monitors contracted business assistance or property rehabilitation work in targeted areas; conducts inspections of properties being rehabilitated to insure compliance to contract provisions; reviews reports submitted by delegate agencies; attends pre-bid conferences; reviews bids and participates in recommendation of selection of contractors.
• Monitors and provides technical support to groups participating in the Empowerment Zone program who are engaged in the preparation of proposals for economic development strategies and projects for their targeted area; advises on appropriateness and priorities of new projects; suggests financing mechanisms and alternatives; develops benchmarks for measuring project progress and monitors status.
• Attends meetings of business associations or community groups and organizations to discuss economic development projects and business environment problems; provides information on departmental services and programs; may represent the department as a member of various boards and committees for specific development projects.
• Prepares reports on economic development program activities; reviews and analyses impact of new legislation on business development and revitalization efforts; records the activities of contracted agencies.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• the principles and methods used in revitalizing private industry and commerce in economically depressed urban areas.
• 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.
• physical, social and economic structure of the City.
• principles of economics and the techniques of economic development activities.
• sources of funding for urban economic revitalization and improvement programs.
• funding source rules, regulations and guidelines in the application and administration of commercial, industrial and area improvement projects.
• project planning methods and techniques.
• city, state and federal regulations as they pertain to the administration of Enterprise and Empowerment Zone programs.

ABILITY TO:

• establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, governmental agencies, civic, community and business groups and the general public.
• analyze complex problems and reach sound conclusions.
• present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• enlist support and generate cooperation in the implementation of economic development projects and activities.

EDUCATION

• Completion of a bachelors degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in one of the following areas: economics, business administration, finance, public administration, or city planning.

  EXPERIENCE

• Two years of experience in economic development project analysis, planning or monitoring.

Or any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel department which has included a bachelor's degree as an educational minimum.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL STANDARDS

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

PAY RANGE: EP19
Class Established:
  CSC - 1/1996 ; Ad Board - 5/1996

RPJ/deb