Economic Development Administrator – City of Gahanna

Job Summary
General Description:                                     

Under the direction of the Department Director, facilitates and collaborates economic development related activities as it relates to business retention and recruitment, business development, economic development finance, and small business programming.  Provides business assistance and technical support for the expansion, recruitment, and retention needs of large and small local businesses.

STARTING SALARY RANGE: The starting salary is between the minimum and midpoint of the range ($32.19 per hour – $38.63 per hour).  Candidates will start at the minimum of the range unless their skills, experience, education or other factors exceed the qualifications for the position.

Essential Job Functions

• Administers the City’s Business retention, expansion, attraction, creation, and workforce programs; builds and maintains relationships with various Gahanna businesses and regional business community partners.
• Assists in performing community development duties including promoting the city’s development plans, disseminating information to the public.
• Develops economic development marketing plans with Communications and Marketing.
• Regularly attending and speaking at community civic groups and associations.
• Meets with local and new businesses about City procedures, plans, location opportunities and other business resources.
• Represents the Department and/or the City on various teams, committees and attends various boards to make presentations, coordinate and facilitate discussions, provide expertise on community issues, prepare and present activities updates, plan and implement various projects, and to take and distribute minutes.
• Serves as an economic development expert for other City departments about the economic impact of small business development activities.
• Assists with the implementation of the City’s Economic Development Plan.
• Prepares regular written reports, recommendations, and presentations.
• Reviews the City’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program including cross-department assignments associated with implementation and compliance including, but not limited to, providing necessary invoices, documentation, or related functions of TIF monitoring.
• Assists in the supervision and oversight of department interns and consultants working on outsourced projects as necessary.

** Regular, predictable, and punctual attendance is required.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education, training and experience as listed below which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

1. Education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Economic Development, Public Policy, or related field

1. Experience

At least three (3) years of progressively responsible related experience.

1. Licensure or Certification Requirements

Ohio Economic Development Association OEDI Certification, International Economic Development Council CEcD, or similar certification is preferred.  Current and valid Ohio driver’s license with an acceptable driver’s abstract to meet criteria for insurability established by the City of Gahanna.

Important Job Functions

• Attends public meetings as instructed.
• Manages the City’s Tax Incentive Review Committee (TIRC) & Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council (CRAHC)
• May serve as backup for other positions within the department.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Philosophies, principles, practices, and techniques of development as they pertain to the economic development of communities, the administration and complexities of development incentives, and overall business retention, expansion, and recruitment.
• Various codes and regulations pertaining to economic development.
• Business incentive programs, urban redevelopment, and economic development.
• Research methodology and standard statistical procedures.
• Computers and various software programs including limited use of GIS, publication creation, on-line survey, and customer relationship management (CRM) software.
• Strong understanding of Tax Increment Financing as well as basic economic development finance & accounting.
• Small business development growth strategies.
• Department organization, standard operating guidelines and policies, rules, and regulations.

Skill in:

• Advanced project management skills.
• Advanced group coordination and project team leadership.
• Advanced research and organizational methods.
• Communicating orally and in writing with internal staff, citizens, and other departmental staff to give and receive information in a courteous manner.
• Operating and maintaining all assigned equipment required to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced, results-oriented organizational culture marked by high expectation levels, deadlines, time constraints, and the accompanying pressures inherent to such an environment.

Ability to: (Mental and Physical Abilities)

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, city officials, other government agencies, and the public.
• While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, feel, or keyboard; speak and hear; lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to constantly operate a computer and other office machinery, such as a copier, mobile device, shredder, scanner, etc.
• Must be able to remain in stationary position at workstation throughout scheduled workday.
• Regular attendance, as governed by and in accordance with applicable rules, regulations, procedures, and laws, is regarded as an essential requirement of this classification.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in a normal office environment with little exposure to outdoor temperatures or dirt and dust.
• The incumbent’s working conditions are typically moderately quiet.