Economic Development Director

Lewis County Board of Legislators



ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR



DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This position involves responsibility for the overall economic and community development in the county. The incumbent is responsible for coordinating, formulating, reviewing and directing the activities and programs dealing with economic development and commercial revitalization and provides staff functions to the New York State Empire Zone Program. The work is performed under the general direction of the County Manager with considerable leeway for the use of independent judgment. Supervision may be exercised over a clerical and technical staff.



TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

Coordinates economic development programs and activities and maintains liaison with other officials, representatives or industry and community leaders;
Consults with representatives of area economic development agencies, commercial, industrial and financial institutions in matters relating to the economic or industrial development of the municipality;
Represents the County in discussion with other governments, organizations, agencies and individuals to formulate policies or develop planning criteria or methods for assessing the merits of various community development programs;
Provides project-specific detailing of Empire Zone benefits to industrial and commercial prospects, coordinates zone certification of new and expanding business and prepares all relevant administrative documents for qualified businesses;
Prepares grant/loan applications for State or Federal assistance to support economic and community development;
Serves as initial contact person for businesses interested in locating or expanding in the County;
Develops work projects and long-term department programs and goals;
Reviews program administration and goals and makes recommendations for improvements and/or revisions in program guidelines;
Serves as liaison between the County, Zone Administration Board, towns, villages and/or local businesses and the NYS Empire State Development staff;
Prepares monthly and annual reports, work plans, annual budgets and other administrative documents as required;
Establishes and maintains a publicity and marketing program to promote economic and community growth in the County by attracting new investment into the area;
Maintains an inventory of available sites;
Keeps abreast of new sources of funding available to current legislation and programs;
Keeps records and obtains information necessary for the preparation of reports on several areas of urban and economic development administration activities;
Performs detailed research on related subjects;
Manages subordinate staff, including delegating and assigning work tasks;




FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of economic development; thorough knowledge of state and federal regulations regarding economic reinvestment; thorough knowledge of the NYS Empire Zone program; thorough knowledge of the method and techniques for financial packaging of new commercial and industrial projects; thorough knowledge of administrations and management techniques and practices; good knowledge of public relations and promotions; ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructios; ability to communicate well orally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public officials, developers and entrepreneurs, citizen advisory groups and residents; ability to understand and interpret state and federal regulations, policies and procedures regarding economic development programs; ability to supervise the work of others; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.



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 master’s degree in public administration, planning, urban and regional planning, economics, business administration, business management, or related field and one year of responsible experience in sales management, real estate, business management, economic research, banking, community planning, public administration or other field related to industrial and/or economic development; or

B) Graduation from a regionally accredited or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a bachelor’s degree in public administration, planning, urban and regional planning, economics, business administration, business management, or related field and two years of experience as indicated in (A) above; or

C) Six years experience as indicated in (A) above; or

D) An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A), (B) and (C) above.





Salary commensurate with experience.



For application call: 315-376-5355.

Send resume to:

Joseph Baruth

7660 State St.,

Lowville, NY 13367



Application Deadline: 10/13/06
REQUIREMENTS
Please refer to the Job Description to view the requirements for this job