Community & Economic Development Specialist III – Montgomery County, Ohio

Assists in the maintenance, development and coordination of resources for businesses of all sizes; manages the economic development website and other economic development marketing; researches, proposes and creates economic development marketing strategies and tactics (i.e., monitors and promotes economic development within Montgomery County – evaluates potential for business revitalization and analyzes existing conditions and programs in targeted areas); responds to site selector requests and business attraction projects; manages the industrial/commercial property database; manages and develops content for economic development social media accounts; creates, develops and implements funding programs that attract businesses to the County (i.e., plans and prepares descriptions of proposed economic development project objectives, financing, schedules and estimates of impact on targeted areas); develops and implements plans for establishing new or improving existing private business associations and community development corporations, informs business of available incentives and services, provides support services to individual businesses and business associations, arranges for the provision of services or recommends improvements and expansions to foster increased business activity; researches governmental and private sources of funding for projects, determines if projects are appropriate for targeted areas; develops and implements plans and strategies for business attraction and retention.

Performs business retention and expansion activities to build and maintain relationships with the business community; serves as a point person for businesses through face-to-face, e-mail, phone, web interaction; provides technical assistance to business organizations, assists associations in preparation and distribution of promotional materials; manages business attraction/development projects under the direction of the Manager; plans, monitors and promotes economic and community development activities for Montgomery County in the region, state, nation and internationally; plans departmental events and activities when necessary. Visit project sites or attend meetings, meets with business and community groups to discuss projects, gain community support and cooperation and to elicit suggestions, acts as lead professional over assigned Community & Economic Development Specialists I & II to implement projects.  Composes contract Scope of Services and work programs for individual projects; prepares budgets for each project and monitors for compliance throughout the term of the contract; Builds and maintains relationships with community partners and the regional economic development community, including BusinessFirst! for a Greater Dayton Region business retention program, Montgomery County Workforce, Dayton Development Coalition, Jobs Ohio, local chambers of commerce, local colleges and universities, and others.  Reviews and negotiates with jurisdictions’ work scope and budgets for each project, reviews contracts to determine fiscal soundness and compliance with Federal, State and/or City requirements, conducts planning, implementation and monitoring activities associated with the planning efforts of the division including the funding processes.  Acts as a consultant to boards, agencies and community organizations, provides expert advice to high level jurisdiction officials regarding economic development, attends meetings of business associations or community groups and organizations to discuss community/economic development projects and business environment problems, may participate as a member of various boards and committees for specific development projects, prepares reports on economic development activities, reviews and analyzes impact of new legislation on business development and revitalization efforts, records the activities of contracted agencies.
Uses customer relationship management programs, Zoom, Microsoft Teams and project management tools to ensure open communication and information sharing with appropriate partners.

Represents Montgomery County at high profile functions and regional events and takes an active role in regional economic development initiatives.

(Performs Related Duties as Required)

Must have current valid Ohio driver’s license with acceptable driving record.  Bachelor’s degree in business administration or community planning or public administration or urban studies and four (4) years related experience in economic development, community development and planning & project management.

(Other Evidences May Be Substituted)