Director of Economic Development

Location

New York State | United States

Job description

DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Distinguishing Features of the Class :

This is an important professional management position responsible for the Economic Development Office for Allegany County. The incumbent is appointed by the Allegany County Board of Legislators and performs work under the supervision of the County Administrator with wide leeway allowed for the use of independent judgment in the performance of job duties and tasks. The incumbent works with public and private entities at the local, regional, and State level and is responsible for planning, coordinating, and encouraging all facets of business, industrial, recreational, commercial, tourism, and economic development in Allegany County including the retention, expansion, attraction, and growth of visitors, residents, businesses, and industries within the County. Supervision is exercised over the work of professional and non-professional employees as well as the work of outside consultants. Does related work as required.

Typical Work Activities :

• Determines feasibility and potential value of proposed projects and makes recommendations such as the priorities of projects, the risk of short and long-term success, and the extent and scope of studies;
• Identifies, evaluates, and inventories existing and potential industrial and business sites, buildings, and facilities, including infrastructure available at each location;
• Maintains an up-to-date inventory of available sites, buildings, and facilities, including available infrastructure;
• Gathers information and prepares studies, reports, and recommendations relevant to the County's economic development goals;
• Recommends policies, programs, and procedures to the Board of Legislators that are related to economic development and the retention, expansion, attraction, and growth of visitors, residents, businesses, and industries within the County, including the development of future industrial sites and infrastructure;
• Periodically evaluates effectiveness of projects under development and reviews their progress as needed;
• Supervises consultants engaged to assist in the preparation of highly specialized studies and services;
• Consults with representatives of local and regional area economic development agencies, and commercial, industrial, and financial institutions in matters relating to the economic or industrial development of Allegany County;
• Coordinates economic development programs and activities and maintains liaison with other local officials, representatives of industry, and community leaders;
• Develops and maintains an inventory of tourism prospects and partner;
• Develops relationships with local and regional organizations and tourism partners to aide in the generation of tourism and marketing opportunities, the building of awareness of the tourism/travel industry, and the development of strategies for increasing visitor volume and expenditures within Allegany County;
• Participates in the development, review, and distribution of guides, brochures, articles, and press releases on tourism-related subjects including Allegany County attractions, events, services, facilities, tourism marketing, and public relations;
• Assists with the County's website and social media development and content management, ensuring fresh, relevant content is created as needed;
• Develops Allegany County's overall marketing message, as well as marketing, advertising, media, and public relations strategies and tactics that identify target demographics, monitor competition, and adjusts strategies accordingly;
• Develops and maintains a knowledge of sources of funding available including relevant federal and state programs and grants;
• Provides regular reports to the Board of Legislators regarding the activities of the Office of Economic Development including the progress of proposed and existing projects;
• Prepares and submits grant applications on behalf of Allegany County subject to the approval of the Board of Legislators;
• Administers and manages grant awards, grant projects, grant reporting, preparing payment requests, and responding to program and financial audits;
• Responsible for the analysis of existing economic situations relative to business attraction and expansion, the review of modern techniques for business attraction and retention, and the negotiation and resolution of issues relevant to the County's role in economic development;
• Responsible for representing the County and the Office of Economic Development at civic, cultural, charitable, business, community, and other like events that are relevant to the County's economic development goals, and may serve on, or hold positions for, such boards, commissions, committees, and organizations as approved in advance by the Board of Legislators and related to areas that are critical to the County's economic development goals and interests;
• Responsible for financial planning and supervision of staff within the Office of Economic Development;
• Cooperates with the Allegany County Industrial Development Agency, the Industrial and Commercial Incentive Board, and other relevant offices and organizations to coordinate the overall administration of the County's economic development tools including but not limited to incentive zones, real property tax credits, and payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreements;
• Responsible for acting as the County's liaison to various local, state, and federal agencies and organizations for the purpose of coordinating and implementing necessary and appropriate economic development projects.

Full Performance, Knowledges, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics : 

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of economic development principles and practices; thorough knowledge of the geography and demography of Allegany County and immediate region; knowledge of Federal and State economic development assistance programs; working knowledge of basic research methods and techniques; ability to establish and maintain good working relationships; ability to read and interpret complex written materials; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; and the ability to plan and coordinate work of others. Must have and maintain a valid driver's license with access to transportation to meet travel requirements involving travel to parts of the county and state and occasional out-of-state travel.

Minimum Qualifications :

Either:

(A) Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Bachelor's degree and three (3) years of satisfactory experience in business development*, or Economic Development; or

(B) An Associate degree and five (5) years of experience as described in (A); or

(C) Seven (7) years of experience as described in (A).

*Business development – the activity of pursuing strategic opportunities for a particular business or organization, for example by cultivating partnerships or other commercial relationships, or identifying new markets for its products or services

Special Requirements :

Must possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license. 

Civil Service Jurisdictional Classification : Non-Competitive

This description is a representative summary of the major responsibilities and accountabilities performed by incumbents in this job title. Any one position may not involve all of the specified duties nor are the listed examples exhaustive. Incumbents may be requested to perform related tasks other than those stated herein.

To apply, please submit your civil service application to Carissa Knapp, County Administrator, 7 Court Street, Room 213, Belmont, NY 14813. Please visit Allegany County Human Resources ( for the complete job description and the civil service application. 

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