Executive Director of Economic Development and Redevelopment

Position Description

Thank you for your interest in the position of Executive Director of Economic Development and Redevelopment with the City of Tulare.

Tulare is a vibrant and steadily growing community with a population of 70,693 located in the heart of California's Central Valley. The organization, staffed with 389 full-time employees, enjoys a culture of fiscal conservatism, collaboration, teamwork and dedication to public service and our community.

To be considered for this position applicants must submit an application with detailed information in each section of the application: Education, Work Experience, Certificates and Licenses, and Skills. Resumes and cover letters are requested, but they will not be accepted in lieu of a complete, detailed application.

Additional details regarding the interview process will be sent via email, to qualified applicants after our screening process is complete on or before Friday, February 8, 2025.

DEFINITION

Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, manages, and provides administrative direction and oversight for the Economic Development and Redevelopment activities of the City, including economic and redevelopment programs, and grants management; fosters cooperative working relationships among City departments and with intergovernmental and regulatory agencies and various public and private groups; provides highly responsible and complex professional assistance to City management staff in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required. This position is "at-will."

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives administrative direction from the City Manager. Exercises general direction and supervision over management, supervisory, professional, technical, and clerical staff through subordinate levels of supervision.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This department head classification oversees, directs, and participates in all activities of the City Manager’s Office as it pertains to Economic Development and Redevelopment, including short- and long-range planning and development. This class provides assistance to the City Manager in a variety of administrative, coordinative, analytical, and liaison capacities. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy, municipal functions and activities, including the role of an elected City Council, and the ability to develop, oversee, and implement projects and programs in a variety of areas. Responsibilities include coordinating activities with other departments and agencies and managing and overseeing complex and varied functions. The incumbent is accountable for accomplishing planning and operational goals and objectives and for furthering City goals and objectives within general policy guidelines.

Examples of Essential Functions

Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Develops, directs, and coordinates the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the Economic Development and Redevelopment activities of the City; establishes, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.
• Plans, organizes, administers, reviews, and evaluates the work of professional, technical, and office support staff, directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and directs Economic Development and Redevelopment personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns.
• Explains and interprets Economic Development and Redevelopment programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves sensitive, significant, and controversial issues.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates the Economic Development and Redevelopment work plan; meets with management staff to identify and resolve problems; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures.

• Manages economic development programs, including developing marketing materials, conferring with and advising the business community and the general public regarding the programs and guidelines, , implementing, monitoring, and reporting funding activities according to grant regulations, preparing request for proposals for professional services, and administering consulting services.
• Represents the Economic Development and Redevelopment activities of the City to other City departments, elected officials and outside agencies; conducts significant political outreach to obtain support for programs; explains and interprets departmental programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.
• Negotiates contracts and agreements; coordinates with legal counsel and City department representatives to determine City needs and requirements for contractual services; oversees marketing contracts.
• Conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Participates on and makes presentations to the City Council and a variety of boards and commissions; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the fieldworks of Economic Development and Redevelopment.
• Prepares, reviews, and completes various reports, including special management reports requested by the City Manager, City Council, and related documentation.
• Receives, investigates, and responds to the most complex citizen complaints, inquiries, and requests for information.
• Monitors changes in laws, regulations, and technology that may affect City Economic Development or Redevelopment activities and implements policy and procedural changes as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications / Requirements

Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.
• Public agency budgetary, grant funding and management, contract administration, citywide administrative practices; and general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Principles and practices of economic development, redevelopment, , and grant management in a municipal setting.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Concepts and practices associated with administrative services programs and projects.
• Technical, legal, financial, and public relations problems associated with the management of economic development and redevelopment programs.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Modern and complex principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of projects, programs, policies, procedures, and operational needs; principles and practices of municipal government administration.
• Geographic, socio-economic, political, and other elements related to economic development and redevelopment programs.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment; related software application methods and procedures.
• Safe driving principles and practices.
• Safe work practices.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with government agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Methods and techniques for writing and presentations, grant applications, contract negotiations, business correspondence, and information distribution; research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
• Techniques for dealing effectively with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

• Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for the assigned program areas.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocating limited resources in a cost-effective manner; prepare, administer, and manage multiple and complex federal and state grants.
• Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional, and technical personnel; delegating authority and responsibility.
• Select, train, motivate, and evaluate the work of staff and training staff in work procedures.
• Effectively administer special projects with contractual agreements and ensuring compliance with stipulations; effectively administer a variety of City programs and administrative activities.
• Conduct effective negotiations and effectively represent the City and the department in meetings with governmental agencies, contractors, vendors, and various businesses, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Effectively and fairly negotiate appropriate solutions and contracts; deal effectively in situations requiring diplomacy and tact; gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Make accurate arithmetic, financial, and statistical computations.
• Direct the maintenance of and maintain accurate records and files.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment; operate related software applications, including word processing, spreadsheet operations, and other related areas including research and statistical analysis.
• Operate a motor vehicle safely.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework business administration, public administration, real estate, or related field, and seven (7) years of responsible experience in economic development, redevelopment, housing, and community development, including five (5) years of management experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California’s driver’s license.

Additional Information

Physical Demands
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle; and to visit and inspect various redevelopment sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification, although the job involves field inspection work requiring frequent walking at inspection sites to monitor performance and to identify problems or hazards; standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard, or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 20 pounds.
Environmental Elements
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions; but may occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical, and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

• Members of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). In accordance with the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), the City of Tulare will offer the following retirement benefit (2.0% at 62) to new PERS members beginning January 1, 2013 with three (3) years final compensation. Existing PERS members with no break in service will receive the 2.5% at 55 formula with single highest year.
  
• City pays a portion of the employee and dependent coverage costs of group medical, dental and vision insurance. An opt-out plan is also available.
  
• Life insurance - Based on salary.
  
• Short and long term disability insurance.
  
• 10 working days vacation per year. Additional days based on years of service.
  
• 12 days sick leave per year.
  
• 15 holidays annually: 12 city observed holidays, plus birthday credit and 2 in-lieu holidays.
  
• Management leave - 88 hours per year.
  
• Flexible benefit program - IRS Section 125 Plan.
  
• Deferred compensation plan - 457 Plans available.
  
• Auto allowance of $400 per month.

Closing Date/Time: 2/2/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of Tulare

• 559-684-4204

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