Assistant Director Of Economic Development

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Under limited supervision, this position assists the Director in the management and administration of Economic Development. Reports to the Director of Economic Development.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Assists the Director with the overall leadership and strategic direction for developing, administering and communicating the city's economic development goals, objectives, policies and procedures to meet overall city needs and objectives; to meet legal requirements, to promote cost effectiveness, to be responsive to both management and employees, and to attract, retain, and develop a highly qualified, motivated and effective workforce.

Promotes economic growth through business retention and expansion opportunities, new business recruitment, new residential development and redevelopment strategies; promotes the city's attributes, and business and industrial development through personal contacts with community leaders, management officials of existing business and industrial real estate community, Hampton Roads region, Virginia agencies, and national/international corporations, industry businesses, surrounding areas and state agencies, etc.; prepares, plans and coordinates marketing and advertising activities, and approves proposals and recommendations; markets the city to foster good public relations and promote tourism as well as other projects that provide exposure to the city's special projects, new initiatives and routine services.

Responsible for effective supervision of the department; including budget research, development, preparation and budget monitoring to ensure cost effectiveness; ensures that purchasing and financial transactions are properly conducted in accordance with city administrative policies and procedures.

Oversees the development of project areas using outside consultants; establishes criteria for selection, evaluates proposals, prepares contracts, and monitors consultant performance in terms of contract provisions and coordinates related procurement functions.

Performs other duties as assigned. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Knowledge of Job: Has thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, procedures and philosophies of public relations, public planning, economic and industrial development, marketing and tourism.

Has thorough knowledge of the methods and techniques used in business solicitation or industrial promotion. Has thorough knowledge of laws and ordinances affecting the economic and industrial development process. Has thorough knowledge of land and building values, urban design, municipal finances, tax credit incentives and funding sources for economic development or redevelopment.

Has thorough knowledge of the available resources of the city. Has considerable knowledge of general management and business organization principles and practices. Has considerable knowledge of current and projected economic trends.

Has considerable knowledge of the geographic layout of the city, including all tourist attractions. Is skilled in the collection, analysis and presentation of technical data. Is able to organize work flow and coordinate activities for short-term and long-term projects.

Is able to exercise considerable independent judgment and discretion in establishing, applying and interpreting policies and procedures. Is able to gather, analyze and interpret industrial and economic data and to make sound recommendations from the information. Is able to supervise subordinate personnel.

Is able to effectively express ideas orally and in writing. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the Portsmouth Port and Industrial Commission, Portsmouth Industrial Development Authority, and other governmental officials, business and industrial representatives, and as otherwise necessitated by work assignments. Is able to direct, assign and supervise a professional, technical and clerical planning and development services staff.

Is able to exercise tact and courtesy in contact with governmental officials and the general public. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities.

Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts with all city departments and divisions, co-workers and the general public.

Quantity of Work: Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Essential Job Functions."

Dependability: Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and for meeting deadlines.

Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, city policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance: Attends work regularly and adheres to city policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility.

Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same.

Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with city policy or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons and departments within the city.

Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with managers, supervisors and staff for mutual and city benefit.

Contributes to maintaining high morale among all city employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with departmental employees, staffers and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the general public so as to maintain good will toward the city and to project a good city image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the city.

Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, City Manager, elected and appointed boards and commissions, professionals and the general public.

Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine.

Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly.

Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings, deadlines and events.

Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies.

Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

Planning: Plans, directs and uses information effectively in order to enhance activities and production of various service departments.

Knows and understands the expectations of the city regarding the activities of the department and works to see that these expectations are met. Designs and formulates ways, means and timing to achieve the goals and objectives of the departments and the city. Within the constraints of city policy, formulates the appropriate strategy and tactics for achieving departmental and city objectives. Organizes, arranges and allocates manpower, financial and other designated resources in an efficient and effective way so as to achieve the goals and objectives of the departments and city.

Organizing: Organizes work and that of subordinate staff well. Ensures that staff members know what results are expected of them and that they are regularly and appropriately informed of all city and departmental matters affecting them and/or of concern to them.

Staffing: Works with other city officials and management to select and recommend employment of personnel for the departments who are qualified both technically and philosophically to meet the needs of the departments and the city. Personally directs the development and training of departmental personnel in order to ensure that they are properly inducted, oriented and trained.

Leading: Provides a work environment which encourages clear and open communications. Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of the principles of effective leadership and how such principles are to be applied.

Provides adequate feedback to staff so that they know whether their performance levels are satisfactory. Commends and rewards employees for outstanding performance yet does not hesitate to take disciplinary action when necessary. Exercises enthusiasm in influencing and guiding others toward the achievement of city goals and objectives.

Controlling: Provides a work environment which is orderly and controlled.

Coordinates, audits and controls manpower and financial resources efficiently and effectively. Coordinates, audits and controls the utilization of materials and equipment efficiently and effectively. Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of city standards, methods and procedures.

Delegating: Assigns additional duties to staff as necessary and/or appropriate in order to meet departmental goals, enhance staff abilities, build confidence on the job and assist staff members in personal growth. Has confidence in staff to meet new or additional expectations.

Decision Making: Uses discretion and judgment in developing and implementing courses of action affecting the departments. When a particular policy, procedure or strategy does not appear to be achieving the desired result, moves decisively and definitively to develop and implement alternatives.

Creativity: Regularly seeks new and improved methodologies, policies and procedures for enhancing the effectiveness of the departments and city.

Employs imagination and creativity in the application of duties and responsibilities. Is not adverse to change.

Human Relations: Strives to develop and maintain good rapport with all staff members.

Listens to and considers suggestions and complaints and responds appropriately. Maintains the respect and loyalty of staff.

Policy Implementation: Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of city policies regarding the department and city function. Adheres to those policies in the discharge of duties and responsibilities and ensures the same from subordinate staff.

Policy Formulation: Keeps abreast of changes in operating philosophies and policies of the city and continually reviews departmental policies in order to ensure that any changes in city philosophy or practice are appropriately incorporated.

Also understands the relationship between operating policies and practices and departmental morale and performance. Works to see that established policies enhance same.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Bachelors degree with Major in Political Science, Finance, Business Administration, Urban Studies, Management/Marketing or related field and 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in the Economic Development field with 3-5 years of supervisory experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED

TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including a computer, calculator, etc.

Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle. Must be able to exert a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical requirements are those for Sedentary Work.

Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions, assignments or directions to subordinates and assistants.

Language Ability: Requires the ability to read marketing materials, budget reports, zoning maps, correspondence, reports, City Code, journals, etc. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, reports, presentations, budgetary items, agenda items, etc., using prescribed format and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction and style.

Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems; to deal with nonverbal symbolism in its most difficult phases; to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables; to comprehend the most abstruse classes of concepts.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively in a variety of technical and professional languages, including business marketing terminology.

Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract totals; to multiply and divide; and to determine percentages and decimals; understand and apply the theories of descriptive statistics, and statistical inference.

Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using automated office equipment; to operate motor vehicles.

Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc.

Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination: Does not require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under considerable levels of stress.

Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and/or hear (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTS

The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.  Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

This is a class description and not an individual position description.  A class specification defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.