Economic Development Specialist - Senior

This recruitment will be closing on 8/9/19 at 5PM.

The Economic Development division of the County Executive's Office is responsible for attracting, retaining, and expanding businesses in Placer County. Please click here to learn more.

This position will be responsible for a variety of duties, including providing staff support to the Placer Business Resource Center, providing outreach to the business community, collecting and analyzing data, writing reports, and developing and implementing program marketing and outreach strategies, including the use of social media platforms. The individual hired into this Economic Development Specialist - Senior position will be required to regularly travel between Auburn and South Placer. 

To perform a variety of the more difficult and complex analytical and technical duties in support of the County's economic development policy and program objectives; to provide information and assistance to County staff, developers and the public; and to provide assistance to the Director of Economic Development.

This is the advanced level classification within the Economic Development Specialist series.  This class is distinguished from the Economic Development Specialist class by the assignment of the more difficult and complex analytical studies associated with the Economic Development and research program activities.  The Economic Development Specialist - Senior may also exercise technical and functional supervision over technical and clerical staff as assigned.
 
The Economic Development Specialist is the journey level class within the Economic Development Specialist series and is assigned the full range of duties.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating policies and procedures of the Office of Economic Development.

Receives general direction and supervision from the Director of Economic Development and may exercise technical and functional supervision over assigned staff.

• Coordinates and performs administrative and technical duties necessary to achieve program goals and objectives. 
• Collect, compile, and analyze data regarding economic conditions and projects; prepare informational and promotional reports, illustrative charts, tables and graphs, and press releases. 
• Plans, organizes, and conducts analysis related to implementation of economic development programs. 
• Research, establish, and maintain various files and databases regarding economic development. Organize and analyze market conditions, program information, and other economic development programs; propose development implementation plans. 
• Develop grant applications and reports; compute, collect, monitor, and track grant data on an on-going basis; provide statistics as appropriate.
• Administer, monitor, and evaluate contracts; participate in negotiating contracts with outside vendors, consultants, or organizations; monitor fiscal and legal liabilities of the same; assist with contract management and administration.
• Respond to inquiries from County staff, developers, prospective businesses, and the general public; determine focus/needs of inquiries and respond as specifically as possible; make referrals and/or introductions as appropriate. 
• Act as liaison with businesses and public/private agencies; assist in arranging meetings, conferences, and public information programs; and make presentations as directed. 
• Participate in tradeshows throughout the state representing the Office of Economic Development.
• Work with local county and city officials for retention and expansion of existing businesses and recruitment of new businesses. 
• Prepare a variety of comprehensive studies, proposals, and reports related to program activities and assigned projects. 
• Prepare appropriate agenda reports, informational materials, and other written materials regarding the County’s Economic Development programs and related activities. 
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Three years of responsible professional economic development experience.

Training: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business, finance, public administration, economics, or a related field.

License or Certificate: May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

NOTE: Relevant, equivalent experience (performing the same or similar job requiring similar knowledge, skills, and abilities) may be substituted for the required education as determined by the Human Resources Department.

NOTE: Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

Knowledge of:

• Research methodology, including statistical evaluation and presentation.
• Principles of economics.
• Principles of economic development, including relationship of real estate, land development, and financing.
• Advanced math principles.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training, and personnel management.
• Basic techniques of industrial and economic development.
• Preparation and presentation of informational and promotional materials.
• Inter-agency relationships, including recognition of overlapping and/or complementary requirements.
• Land development process and commercial building codes.
• Intra-governmental structure and dynamics, including the roles of local, regional, state, and federal jurisdictions in the development process.
• Community-based organizations interested in the promotion of industry, business, and private-public partnerships.
• Computer software, including word processing, spreadsheet, and graphics applications, GIS (Geographic Information Systems) experience using ESRI Platform.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports, and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policy and procedures.
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk for long periods of time; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone, write, or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; and lift light weight.
• Analyze complex issues and problems, identify, and evaluate alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Prepare informational and promotional reports and materials, including press releases.
• Compile, analyze, and present statistical data in a meaningful way.
• Perform complex mathematical and statistical calculations accurately.
• Analyze grants, reports, and various proposals.
• Establish and maintain a wide network of public and private resource contacts.
• Understand and interpret the County's economic development policy as directed by the Board of Supervisors and carried out by the Director of Economic Development, under direction of the County Executive Officer.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Obtain information through interviews; work with interruption; and work firmly and courteously with the public.
• Exercise initiative and sound judgment in solving difficult and complex administrative and technical problems.
• Use a computer, calculator, typewriter, telephone, facsimile machine, and photocopy machine. 
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula.  Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view benefits for General bargaining unit