Executive Director, East Bay Economic Development Alliance

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION. The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended. A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application.

Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Postmarks are not accepted. Applications will only be accepted on-line.

*Ralph Andersen & Associates is soliciting qualified candidates on behalf of Alameda County and this recruitment is being conducted pursuant to the Alameda County Civil Service Commission rules. Interested candidates should apply by January 2, 2019.

Electronic submittals are strongly preferred to Ralph Andersen & Associates at apply@ralphandersen.com and should include a compelling cover letter, and a comprehensive resume.  Upon submission to Ralph Andersen & Associates, candidates will be instructed to immediately complete an online application with Alameda County to complete the process.

The Opportunity 
The next Executive Director for the East Bay Economic Development Alliance (East Bay EDA) will have the opportunity to lead a high-level, cross-sector, member-driven regional economic development organization in one of the world’s most economically active regions.  East Bay EDA helps shape the future economic policy and innovation for the region, and the Executive Director plays a key leadership role in effective public-private partnerships with leading corporations and institutions.

The East Bay
The eastern region of the San Francisco Bay Area, commonly referred to as the East Bay, includes cities along the eastern shores of the San Francisco Bay and San Pablo Bay. The region has grown to include inland communities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. With a population of roughly 2.5 million in 2010, it is the most populous subregion in the Bay Area and has been the fastest growing for more than two decades. Increased population has led to the growth of industry hubs in surrounding cities such as Fremont, Emeryville, Berkeley, Richmond, Concord and Walnut Creek.

Oakland is the largest city in the East Bay and the third largest in the Bay Area. The city serves as a major transportation hub for the U.S. West Coast, and its port is the largest in Northern California. Increased population has led to the growth of large edge cities such as Fremont, Hayward, Concord, Berkeley, Richmond, and Walnut Creek.

East Bay Economic Development Alliance
The primary purpose of economic development is to maintain and grow a healthy economy through business attraction, retention, and development activities. Regional-level economic development adds a critical dimension to these city and state economic development efforts through focus, scale, and regional support. East Bay

EDA has over 28 years of leadership and collaborative history, serving public agencies, businesses, and other members from both Alameda and Contra Costa counties. With economic globalization and the increasing importance of technical innovation to economic competitiveness, economists have identified the ability of regional institutions to keep up with the rapidly changing industry needs as a key to economic success. Focused on creating a thriving business climate, East Bay EDA is the vehicle through which East Bay leaders collaborate to achieve their shared goal of a healthy, vibrant economy to create and sustain quality jobs. East Bay EDA is the regional partnership and networking resource for strengthening the economy, building the workforce, and enhancing the quality of life in the East Bay.

The product of the unique opportunities and challenges of East Bay EDA is a next-generation, cross sector membership organization dedicated to growing the economy from the inside out. Working with world-class companies, leading research institutions, passionate community organizations, small business leaders and forward-thinking local government agencies that constitute its membership, East Bay EDA represents the collective identify of the East Bay and the special power of a fully functional regional partnership.

East Bay EDA’s membership includes key businesses, including Fortune 500 companies; anchor institutions; over 25 cities/towns; both East Bay counties; all three national laboratories (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories); Workforce Development Boards; Small Business Development Centers; the Port of Oakland; the University of California, Berkeley; California State University, East Bay; community college districts; special district organizations; community development corporations; regional and local-based nonprofit organizations; environmental stewards; and regional philanthropic entities.  In all, over 150 organizations make up East Bay EDA’s membership and contribute to  its effectiveness.

As a data driven organization, East Bay EDA conducts research to set strategic priorities which highlight the diverse range of opportunities that position the East Bay region as a global economy. It is East Bay EDA’s priority to market and attract business investment to the region.

The Position
While the position receives administrative and policy direction from East Bay EDA’s Officers and the Executive Committee, the Executive Director reports to the Alameda County, County Administrator.

The Executive Director plans, directs, manages and implements work focused on regional marketing, small business resources and support, international trade and investment, education that leads to sustainable employment and careers, land use and infrastructure policies, legislation that promotes economic development, and opportunities for member engagement.  The Executive Director represents the organization on state-wide and regional boards and committees, and acts as a public spokesperson at conferences, seminars, workshops and public events.

The Executive Director supports East Bay EDA’s Executive Committee by providing financial reports, event overviews, education forums and items of importance that enable this governing body to prioritize, evaluate and oversee the work of the organization.  The Executive Director must also adhere to management requirements of East Bay EDA’s nonprofit arm including tax preparation, meeting minutes,  by-laws, strategic plans, membership meetings, officer and committee meetings, and annual retreats.  East Bay EDA’s Executive Committee includes appointees from the East Bay’s Boards of Supervisors, Mayors’ Conferences, City Manager associations, and the region’s Economic Development Directors’ Council.  Both East Bay County Administrators also serve on the Executive Committee as well high-level representatives from the national laboratories, K-12 and post-secondary education, special districts, the Port of Oakland, utilities, environmental organizations, labor, small business, regional nonprofits and regional philanthropy.  Over half of the Executive Committee members are high-ranking executives from the private sector across various industries.

The Ideal Candidate 
The ideal candidate is a strong communicator and collaborator, serving as an ambassador for the region in economic development matters.  In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications of the position, the ideal candidate will exemplify the following critical attributes:

• Strong analytical skills and understanding of how data can be utilized to enable the region to compete for economic development opportunities. The ideal candidate must possess strong interpersonal and communication skills with a variety of audiences in multiple settings. Legislative advocacy, effective business communications and relationship building will all be required to effectively lead and advocate for the region.

• The ability to lead a high-level, cross-sector, member-driven organization that relies on demonstrating value for member investment.  Revenue is acquired through continued membership dues, event sponsorships, grant acquisition and business service fees.

• Prior experience supporting a large volunteer board would be highly valuable, as East Bay EDA’s Executive Committee includes incredibly accomplished individuals with access to resources from influential and innovative organizations.

• Adaptive and well-respected leader who has the ability to position the organization’s leadership in strategic roles, while convening cross-sector partners to achieve sustainable work through diverse perspectives. 

• Strong organizational skills and a predisposition for planning are key traits for success.

• The ability to identify and provide professional development opportunities for staff, including introductions to mentors who address career goals and a team-oriented work environment.

*Recruitment services are provided by Ralph Andersen & Associates. Click on the above image to view the complete recruitment brochure.

 

Education/Experience:

Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, business administration or a related field and the equivalent of five years of progressively responsible full-time professional level experience in economic or community development, program administration, research or a closely related field. (A Master's Degree in a related field may be substituted for one-year of experience.)

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public policy and administration management.
• Current principles, practices, and techniques of economic development/regional economic development.
• Current economic trends in international, national, state, regional, and local economies.
• Theories, concepts, and practices of urban politics.
• Public Sector operating programs, policies, procedures and functions related to revenue and expenditures. ·         Principles and practices of business management and private sector decision-making.
• Fiscal and budgetary practices.
• Public, private and nonprofit funding sources.
• Principles of supervision, performance evaluation, contract negotiation and administration, organizational and management strategies and fiscal management.
• Statistical and analytical techniques applicable to economic analysis.
• Techniques employed in public presentations, business presentations and cross-sector collaborations.
• Negotiation techniques and consensus building techniques.
• Automated information systems.
• Principles and techniques of report writing and organizational and operational analysis.
• Relationship of federal, state and local environmental agencies and their role with other agencies and the business community.
• Project management skills for economic development-related work, research products and special events.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively with  elected officials, corporate executives, and nonprofit leaders.
• Provides original writing for reports, media pieces, meeting minutes, talking points and scripts.
• Fundraise to cover operational costs through membership renewals, new memberships, sponsorships and grants. 
• Interpret statistical, economic, and highly technical data relating to County economic development matters.
• Supervise professional staff and consultants effectively and evaluate effective performance utilizing input from external engaged parties.
• Plan effective meetings incorporating goal setting, inclusion of subject matter experts, and clear and concise reports.
• Establish guidelines and set priorities.
• Develop a strategic plan that addresses operational goals and showcases the organization’s value.
• Establish and maintain cooperative-working relationships with the Officers, Executive Committee, elected officials, corporate executives and nonprofit leaders.
• Prepare and defend an annual budget for economic development programs and manage them within the parameters of the adopted budget.
• Research, study and evaluate programs’ service levels and operational problems.

THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF the following steps:
1) A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process.
2) Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process; review of candidates’ work experience and background to select the best qualified applicants to continue in the process which may involve an interview with Ralph Andersen & Associates.
3) An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises.

CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION.

*Ralph Andersen & Associates is soliciting qualified candidates on behalf of Alameda County and this recruitment is being conducted pursuant to the Alameda County Civil Service Commission rules. Interested candidates should apply by January 2, 2019. Electronic submittals are strongly preferred to Ralph Andersen & Associates at apply@ralphandersen.com and should include a compelling cover letter, and a comprehensive resume.  Upon submission to Ralph Andersen & Associates, candidates will be instructed to immediately complete an online application with Alameda County to complete the process.

We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components. Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work. To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN

Deadline for Filing:	January 2, 2019
Review of Applications for Minimum Qualifications:	January 9, 2019
Review of Applications for Best Qualified:	January 17, 2019
Oral Examination:	February 15, 2019

*WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN*

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes. To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 11 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Employee Mortgage Loan Program
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the "My applications" button on the Current Job Openings page.

Please take the steps recommended above to ensure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.

Sam Gee, Human Resources Division Manager
Human Resource Services, County of Alameda
510-267-9492

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer