Economic Development Analyst

Economic Development Analyst

This position plans, organizes and coordinates a variety of highly responsible and complex analytical, statistical, financial, and administrative duties such as budget, contracts and grant administration, and regulatory compliance. Assists in the creation and implementation of programs and initiatives in support of the Economic Development Division in the City Manager's Office.

The Economic Development Analyst functions at an advanced level and provides highly responsible and complex support to management in the areas of Economic Development and City administration. This is a single position classification. Assignments are typically received in broad, outline form, and incumbents are expected to act independently in developing applicable resources and information. Projects undertaken by this position will cover a wide and changing breadth of subject matter over time and will require the ability to regularly learn and adapt to potentially unfamiliar subject matter.

Supervision Received and Exercised: Receives supervision from the Deputy Director of Economic Development and/or designee. May supervise lower-level staff and volunteers.

Essential Job Functions

1. Reviews and analyzes City operational budgets and prepares reports and/or other documentation regarding the impacts of implemented and proposed policy and operational changes.
2. Negotiates and develops contracts, grants, and other projects to meet specific City needs.
3. Provides recommendations for action in policy, procedure, work methods, and budget coordination, analysis, development, and implementation.
4. Manages a variety of complex special projects, research studies, budget analysis, and other specialized functions.
5. Reads, interprets, and authors simple to moderately complex contracts and legal agreements such as property leases, property deed restrictions, service agreements, and similar documents.
6. Prepares and maintains databases of demographic, market, and vacant land and information including information related to real estate, grants, and financial impacts of City initiatives.
7. Supports the acquisition, disposition, and exchange of city property for development/redevelopment.
8. Supports pre-development and site preparation activities.
9. Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned program areas Markets the City, its businesses, and specific properties/projects to outside parties, including the preparation of materials and direct contact.
10. Assists in the development of marketing and promotional programs to enhance the implementation of economic development activities including brochures, websites, software, databases, social media, and other media.
11. Performs property management functions for the City.
12. Recognizes and anticipates potential challenges related to assigned tasks and notifies senior staff of said challenges.
13. May oversee the work of contractors to include prioritizing and assigning work, monitoring performance, and other department related priorities.
14. Evaluates and prepares reports and recommendations for improved City operations, services, systems, organizational methods, and/or other topics; implement goals, objectives and guidelines utilizing resources effectively to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
15. Confers with various staff to determine personnel and budget needs.
16. Assists other City Departments by providing information and recommendations; coordinates with Department Directors, senior management, and technical staff on the implementation of projects of citywide importance.
17. Evaluates operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommends improvements and modifications.
18. Researches grant opportunities and may prepare grant proposals.
19. Provides technical and professional advice to City staff, City Council, and various boards and committees; prepares and coordinates reports and presentations for the City Council, community groups, boards, and other committees and regulatory agencies.
20. Analyzes organizational structures and recommends process improvements/alternative service delivery models.
21. Ensures compliance with related federal and state laws, rules and regulations, and local codes and standards; implements changes to processes required by changes in legislation.
22. Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Advanced principles and practices of public administration, budget preparation and administration
• Operational characteristics, services and activities of assigned program area
• Organization and operation of municipal government
• Policy administration
• Financial management systems
• Principles of financial administration, including budgeting, reporting, taxation, and revenue
• Governmental accounting and financial analysis
• Pertinent laws and regulations governing fiscal recordkeeping and government organizations
• Real estate transactions including ground leases, license agreements, purchase and sale agreements, and disposition processes.
• Basic principles of marketing and outreach mediums and techniques
• Basic principles of database construction and management
• Basic principles and practices of project management
• Modern office practices, procedures, and administration
• Principals of functional direction, training, and work review.
• Research techniques, report writing, preparation, and presentation
• Customer service best practices
• Property lease administration including CPI adjustments, option exercises, and rent escalation calculations
• Principles of consultant and professional services contract management including scope, schedule, and deliverable oversight

Skill in:

• Communicating clearly, concisely, and effectively both verbally and in writing
• Preparing complex financial statements, reports, and analyses
• Preparing and publicly presenting written and oral reports to City Council and various other groups
• Utilizing accounting software, database management software, and standard office software including spreadsheets, word processing, and electronic mail
• Developing and executing projects in cooperation with a variety of City Departments/Divisions
• Creating physical and digital materials to convey messages, such as marketing brochures, flyers, websites, and social media
• Providing functional supervision to assigned staff and volunteers
• Providing excellent customer service
• Negotiating moderately complex contracts and agreements with minimal oversight based on desired outcomes
• Coordinating real estate transactions

Ability to:

• Interpret, analyze, and author agreements and contracts
• Examine and verify financial documents and reports
• Manage analytical and administrative support services
• Formulate and present persuasive arguments
• Collect, analyze, and interpret a wide variety of complex data and information
• Learn, interpret, and implement applicable Federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to program areas of responsibility
• Identify creative and efficient solutions to unexpected problems
• Identify issues, options, and projected outcomes and make recommendations
• Conduct comprehensive and in-depth research
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, public, and other government agencies
• Comply with administrative controls over funds, contracts, and procurements
• Interpret and apply codes, regulations, laws policies, procedures, and guidelines

Education and Experience: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Public/Business Administration, Economics, Urban Studies, Planning, Communications, or closely related field and three (3) years of recent experience performing project management or analytical duties in the areas of business or public administration, finance, planning/land use, economic development, real estate development, and/or a related field. Two (2) years of project lead experience, preferably in a municipal agency. Or, A High School diploma/GED and five (5) years of recent experience performing project management or analytical duties in the areas of business or public administration, finance, planning/land use, economic development, real estate development, and/or a related field. Two (2) years of project lead experience, preferably in a municipal agency.

Supplemental Information

Physical, mental and emotional stamina to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position; manual dexterity sufficient to write, use telephone, computer, business machines and related equipment; vision sufficient to read printed materials, visual display terminals, detailed fine writing on plans and specifications for development projects, and distinguish colors for design evaluation purposes; hearing sufficient to conduct in person and telephone conversations; speaking ability in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in a normal conversational distance, on the telephone and in addressing groups; physical agility to push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop and reach overhead as needed; physical mobility sufficient to move about the work environment, physical strength to lift up to 20 lbs.; physical stamina sufficient to sit and stand for prolonged periods of time; walk on uneven