Deputy Development Officer- Economic Development

Full Job Description

Salary : $106,868.02 Annually

Location : C175-Planning & Economic Development

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: 03590

Department: Economic Development and Planning

Opening Date: 04/22/2024

Closing Date: 5/6/2024 11:59 PM Eastern

Position Purpose/Summary

Responsible for implementing the City's economic development policies, projects and plans. This position will oversee three City departments; Zoning, the Springfield Redevelopment Authority, and Economic Development. The position is responsible for organizing and implementing the City's economic development functions and strategies from conception to completion. Including business retention and expansion, business attraction and incentive programs, zoning, urban renewal and entrepreneurial business programming. Work is performed under the general direction of the Chief Development Officers. Supervision is exercised over departmental staff.
Essential Functions

• Plan, organize, and implement economic development functions and strategies from conception to completion, including business retention and expansion, business attraction and incentive programs.
• Lead strategic planning efforts for all services and activities of economic development including for redevelopment, reuse and new development.
• Implement economic development city-wide goals and objectives, as well as coordinate with developers, local businesses, and other City departments and staff.
• Maintain a critical focus on business development, redevelopment, key project management, development negotiations, creating local and regional economic partnerships, economic marketing and branding, economic data analysis, and fostering diverse economic and employment growth within the community.
• Develop and establish policies and procedures that facilitate business development that stabilize and expand the City's tax base.
• Ensure that all aspects of City driven economic development speaks to equity and inclusion.
• Implement the development of medium- and long-range plans for Springfield related to continued business attraction and retention, redevelopment and future development, housing diversity, and economic mobility.
• Maintain a toolbox of existing resources for advancing business, housing, and urban renewal development.
• Construct sustainable marketing and branding approaches.
• Develop and manage the Office of Planning and Economic Development and Springfield Redevelopment Authority budget and staff.
• Provide guidance and direction regarding administrative duties such as those associated with City Council meetings, public hearings, legal documentation, workflow, and public access and engagement tools.
• Participate in and direct the collection, interpretation, and analysis of market and community data that identify trends and potential issues.
• Represent the City on selected boards and committees, present to City Council, commissions, civic groups, and the general public on economic development issues.
• Analyze existing economic situations relative to business attraction and expansion; review modern techniques for business retention and attraction and negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues; monitor program performance and periodically report status to CDO.
• Analyze and document current availability of significant space for retail, office, and industrial use.
• Coordinate and develop proposals; conduct site tours and provide informational materials; create public/private partnerships to enhance economic development; maintain communication and work closely with a variety of local, regional, state, and federal departments and agencies to bring economic development to the city.
• Meet, confer, and provide detailed data to new businesses contemplating a relocation or expansion.
• Assist with the negotiation, preparation and processing of documents and implementation of such documents as depositions and development agreements, owner participation agreements, contracts, resolutions, and requests for proposals/qualifications.
• Serve as a resource to City committees and boards associated with economic development.
• Interfaces and coordinates with the development community, local businesses and various City elected officials, departments and staff.
• Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of operational characteristics, services, and activities of the economic development program.
• Knowledge of management methods and techniques to analyze programs, policies and operational.
• Knowledge of public administration and local government operations.
• Knowledge of pertinent Federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Ability to oversee and manage the operations, services, activities of the city's housing and community development programing and its personnel.
• Ability to plan, administer, direct and coordinate multiple and/or large scale real estate projects.
• Ability to obtain a working knowledge of all relevant City, State and federal regulatory requirements and processes.
• Ability to make sound decisions and recommendations on matters of major policy and complex administrative and technical problems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, municipal officials, other department heads, government and business officials, neighborhood organizations and the general public.
• Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in economic development, urban planning, public/business administration, finance, or related field.
• Ten years of experience in economic development, community development, or redevelopment activities in the State of Massachusetts.
• Master's degree in relevant field preferred.
• Designation as a Certified Economic Developer preferred.

NOTICE: The following benefits are contingent upon hours worked and bargaining vs. non-bargaining agreements.

Medical/Dental/ Vision 75% City Subsidized
All health insurance plans include Dental and Vision

Retirement Available to employees working 20+ hours per week
Paid Vacation Earned vacation time can be taken after 6 months of service. Earned time is accrued.

Paid Holidays All City employees receive 11 paid holidays per year.

Paid Sick Time Full time employees are immediately eligible to begin accruing 1 1/4 days per month which can be taken after 6 months of service. Supplemental Long Term and Short disability coverage is available to employees at the employee cost.

Paid Personal Days Use up to 3 of your accrued sick days as Personal days. Personal days cannot be rolled over into the next calendar year.
Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) A means for eligible employees to balance work and family responsibilities by taking unpaid leave for authorized reasons.
Training On the job and instructor led courses available
Employee Assistance Program Free, confidential and personal assistance to employees and their families to resolve issues that affect their personal lives as well as job performance.
Direct Deposit Easy, convenient, and free!

01

Do you have a bachelor's degree in economic development, urban planning, public/business administration, finance, or related field?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have ten years of experience in economic development, community development, or redevelopment activities in the State of Massachusetts?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have a master's degree in relevant field? (preferred)

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have a designation as a Certified Economic Developer? (preferred)

• Yes
• No

05

Are you a current City of Springfield resident?

• Yes
• No

06

The City of Springfield requires all employees to be residents. If you are not a current Springfield resident, are you willing to relocate?

• Yes
• No

Required Question