EEDD Economic Development Director (#ES2255)
$63.49-$77.17 Hourly / $11,004.46-$13,375.99 Monthly / $132,053.53-$160,511.90 Yearly

Under general direction, performs complex technical and administrative work in managing economic development, business retention, and other related programs administered by the Employment and Economic Development Department (EEDD); manages the staff and activities of the Economic Development Center; assists the EEDD Director in the overall management of the Department; and does related or other work as required.

The EEDD Economic Development Director is a single position, at-will class that is exempt from the San Joaquin County Civil Service system. The incumbent is primarily responsible for leading, managing, and administering economic development, business retention and expansion, and other programs of the Economic Development Center.  However, the incumbent may also assist the EEDD Director with employment and training, and may act in the absence of the Director.  The incumbent models a strong work ethic and leadership skills, including accountability for oneself and others, and helps ensure that all assigned programs and operations are in compliance with state, federal, and local requirements, regulations, and policies.

This specification is a general guideline for the class.  The statements below are not restrictive, and the responsibilities and duties assigned to a position in this class may expand beyond those identified in this specification.

• Plans, organizes and directs the development, delivery, and monitoring of economic development, business retention, and related employer programs and services for the EEDD; manages the Business Retention and Expansion Program of the Economic Development Center in a manner that facilitates the delivery of business services; assists with the management of other EEDD programs and operations as assigned; exercises good judgment and makes sound decisions in managing assigned areas and functions.
• Through subordinate managers and/or supervisors, directs the activities of program staff; selects and assigns employees; evaluates employee performance; reviews and takes action on disciplinary matters.
• Develops, recommends, and implements departmental policies and procedures; analyzes and interprets existing and proposed federal, state, and local legislation, policies, procedures, and other directives to determine impact on operations; recommends policies and procedures that are relevant and are in compliance with department, federal, state and local regulations; interprets policies and procedures to staff and ensures their appropriate implementation.
• Develops, prepares, and recommends program proposals and budgets; analyzes fiscal information and recommends cost efficiency options.
•  Attends meetings and conferences; prepares meeting agendas for, and participates on, various county boards, committees, and task forces; develops and maintains cooperative and collaborative working relationships with federal, state, and county officials, other counties, community groups, external agencies, and the public; meets and confers with various agents to negotiate effective solutions to difficult problems; helps coordinate the provision of departmental services as assigned.
• Convenes conversation forums that target business retention and growth; works with emerging industries and business organizations, in partnership with other stake holder organizations, to facilitate the development of services that are responsive to the needs of businesses in the region.
• Serves as a liaison for persons seeking to locate or expand their industries within San Joaquin County; establishes and maintains effective relations with businesses, banking personnel, federal, state and local economic development professionals to develop and coordinate the delivery of economic development services to new and existing San Joaquin County businesses.
• Directs the collection and analysis of data and the preparation of marketing material relative to economic development within San Joaquin County; prepares or supervises the preparation of periodic reports relevant to assigned activities for the Director, department management, and others; prepares Board of Supervisors’ reports and related documents; makes presentations to groups and individuals, including boards and commissions.
• Makes effective use of technology to improve systems and processes.
• Acts in the absence of the Director as assigned.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education:  Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in public administration, business administration, economics, or related field.

Experience:  Six years of increasingly responsible managerial experience in the area of economic development, including the development and implementation of business retention and expansion programs, the financing of small businesses, and the technical preparation of government-guaranteed lending programs.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

License:  Possession of a valid California driver’s license.

Principles and practices of public administration, including effective organization, administration, personnel management, and staff training; general principles of accounting and financial management; goals and objectives of business financing as an economic development tool; local, state and federal lending policies and procedures; local, state and federal legislation and regulations relevant to economic development and business retention and expansion programs; modern office automation technology and computer software programs relevant to business management.

Plan, direct and coordinate the activities of employer and business service programs in a cost-effective manner, while ensuring excellent customer service; perform analysis of policies and procedures as well as economic viability of specific financing proposals; provide appropriate and effective leadership and management of diverse staff teams, including subordinate managers and supervisors; work collaboratively with staff, clients, and pertinent stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes; exercise good judgment and make sound managerial decisions; exercise analytical and critical thinking to evaluate complex problems and recommend appropriate solutions; understand, interpret, and apply legal codes, regulations, and rules pertaining to program operations; analyze and implement program mandates and work within federal, state, or other types of regulatory systems; formulate and present short- and long-range plans; operate computers and related software and recommend the development and utilization of effective automated systems; prepare and administer annual budgets and financial and statistical records; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other departments and agencies, employees, advocacy groups, and the general public.

Mobility—sitting for long periods, walking; occasional standing, pushing, pulling, bending, squatting, climbing stairs; operate a data entry device; Lifting—frequently 5 pounds or less; occasionally 5 to 30 pounds; Visual—constant good overall vision and reading/close-up work; frequent color perception and use of eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Hearing/Talking—frequent hearing of normal speech, hearing/talking on the telephone, talking in person; Dexterity—normal dexterity with frequent writing and repetitive motion; Emotional/Psychological—frequent decision making, concentration, and public contact; Special Requirements—may require working nights and weekends; Environmental—occasional exposure to varied weather conditions.

San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.