Job Title:        Economic Development Administrator         

Department:  Mayor’s Office                                               

Reports To:    Mayor                                                             

Job Summary:  Serves at the pleasure of the Mayor.  Primary responsibility is to grow the economic base and vitality of the City, retain existing businesses, attract new businesses, and develop tools and strategies with the City and community partners to serve and attract a varied commercial base and sustainable employment opportunities to the City.  This position must be able to work independently, strategically, and with great individual initiative.  The position must be mindful of both the private sector business needs in concert with the challenges of the public sector.  This individual must be able to think strategically, develop goals, set timelines and milestones, and meet deliverables.  The position functions daily as the main Economic Development contact person for the City and the Mayor.  

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

General

·         Engages with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; Negotiates and resolves sensitive

      and controversial issues.  Serves as Mayor’s office representative on a variety of boards and

      committees.   Attends and participates in professional group meetings;

·         Conducts forums and surveys of the business community to assist in formulation of the City’s economic

      strategy;

·         Prioritizes incoming applications for development and construction projects, expediting the review process

      whenever possible and allowing the more critical projects to receive top priority and attention;

·         Serves as liaison to or department contact, providing assistance, advise, and answers questions

      regarding status of plans and projects;

·         Provides site location information to businesses interested in locating in Idaho/ Meridian coordinating

      inquiries with local economic development professional and chambers of commerce;

·         Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the program annual budget.  Directs

      the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies.   Monitors and approves

      expenditures; implements adjustments;

·         Prepares and presents reports and other necessary correspondence;

·         Generates favorable print and media coverage, raising awareness of Meridian as a desirable place for

      business;

Business Development

·         Evaluates the financial and economic feasibility of proposed projects;

·         Assesses needs of businesses for retention/expansion in Meridian;

·         Establishes a network of private and public contacts to market Idaho/Meridian as a business expansion or

      relocation site;

·         Develops and utilizes economic development tools, such as industrial revenue bonding, STAR, or other

      means as allowed by law to assist key businesses in ways that provide a net benefit to the community;

·         Keeps abreast of information which may impact program goals and objectives, and initiates appropriate

      strategies and policy change recommendations; 

·         Seeks out new trends and innovations in the field of economic development;

·         Prepares cost comparisons to recruit businesses and researches and provides information on state utility

      rates, labor costs, fringe benefits, tax rates, worker's compensation, transportation costs, land use,

      capital formation resources, workforce training programs and other incentives;

·         Meets with developers, contractors, and business representatives to discuss new construction projects or

      plans for expansion;

·         Monitors progress of projects through on-site visits and frequent contact with business representatives;

Contractual Oversight

·         Responsible for the creation and production of marketing materials which detail economic development

      opportunities in Meridian; 

·         Responsible for the creation and evaluation of  potential economic models;

Business Experience and Expertise

·         Coordinates with state, federal and regional sources to assist in business expansion and entrepreneurial

      development;

·         Collects, analyzes and compiles economic, market, and demographic data for dissemination;

·         Prepares various business reports and presents oral presentations to the public;

·         Ability to evaluate and recommend appropriate business site locations and expansions; providing

     technical economic development assistance to businesses, business organizations, and community

     groups; analyzing and implementing economic development marketing concepts;

Mayor and City Coordination:

·         Provides reports to the Mayor’s office on the progress of major projects, division goals and objectives;

·         Reports monthly to the City Council;

·         Provides input and support for Meridian to the Idaho Legislature or Governor;

·         Serves as a liaison to Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor, IEDA and other agencies and

      associations to generate prospects, build relationships, and raise awareness of recent Meridian City

      market developments;

·         Provides technical advice and assistance to the Mayor, Council, and businesses in matters related to a

      wide variety of economic development activities and programs;

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

·         Performs other duties as assigned or needed by the Mayor;

·         Must hold a valid State of Idaho Driver’s License and safe driving record;

Job Specifications:

·         Highly preferred that this person will have worked a minimum of three (3) years either working in high

      level management in the private sector; owned or managed own company; has executive level

      experience with a governmental entity performing related recruitment and retention of business

      interests;

·         Working in a professional capacity with federal, state, or local economic development/assistance

      programs;

·         Strong knowledge of: financial management, economic development, business assistance and marketing

      concepts; state and local economic development practices;

·         Must have excellent communication skills;

      Especially strong professional writing skills for writing reports, and other communication;

·         Considerable knowledge of: micro and macroeconomic theory; economics and econometric research including

        time-series methodologies; principles of public finance theory;

·         Must have exceptional organizational skills and the ability to effectively establish priorities and complete multiple,

        competing and time-dependent projects with superior attention to detail;

·         Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Department personnel, city officials

      and the general public;

·         Ability to communicate, meet and deal with the public and co-workers with respect in a pleasant,

      professional, and courteous manner;

·         Ability to work as a member of a team;

·         Integrity in the performance of assigned tasks;

·         Must be able to provide exceptional customer service and outstanding professionalism;

·         Must be willing to work in a fast-paced and demanding environment and display an attitude of cooperation

      with the ability to work professionally and effectively with others;

·         Must be tactful, discrete, and diplomatic as well as be assertive, resilient, have problem solving ability;

·         Must have demonstrated excellent oral and written skills to communicate effectively with customers,

      vendors, and the public in face-to-face meetings, one-on-one settings, and in groups;

Other Job Specifications:

·         College – Minimum of a Bachelors degree required with a preferred major in business, marketing,

      finance, and economics, pre-law or equivalent; 

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

·         Work is usually performed in an office environment with moderate noise level;

·         Constantly requires sitting at a desk or computer terminal for long periods of time and ability to lift up to

      15 lbs;

·         Constantly requires clarity of speech and hearing, which permits the employee to communicate

      effectively with the public and other department members;

·         Constantly requires clear vision to read printed materials and computer screen to accomplish work;

Travel Requirements:

Travel is occasionally required;

To Apply Please Visit www.meridiancity.org