ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Salary: $62,970.00

General Statement of Duties Performs promotional and consultative work in developing and directing an economic development program for the County. Distinguishing Features of the Class An employee in this class is responsible for consulting with local officials, community leaders, agricultural community, community college, and industry executives for promoting the industrial, agricultural, and commercial growth through expansion, recruitment, and retention of existing bases, and attraction of new industries and business into the County. Duties include development of data, statistics, and publications, which portray the economic potential of the county and municipalities; identification of prospective businesses and industries; recruitment of prospective businesses and industries; and maintaining proper records, reports, and public information for the program. Work requires considerable planning and timely execution of work. Decisions must be made quickly with accuracy when dealing with the industrial and agricultural management teams. Employee must exercise independent judgment and simultaneously must consider financial, socio-economic, legal, and regulatory variables as they affect the County. Work is performed under the general direction of the County Manager and is evaluated through conferences, reports and results. Duties and Responsibilities Essential Duties and Tasks · Serves as initial contact for potential industries and businesses considering new location or expansion; shows sites and arranges meetings with local officials; researches land and coordinates contacts for the property; serves as liaison during plant or facility construction; investigates labor supply, utilities, and works with various groups to ensure the availability of an adequate, well trained workforce for industrial concerns. · Provides leadership for the active participation of business and community residents in marketing and branding the County to visitors with direct coordination with the Tourism Development Authority. · Develops marketing tools and branding for the economic development of the County including brochures, flyers, booklets, website, and ads, etc. · Develops a network of contacts to identify potential parks and sites; monitors building projects and works with local officials. · Develops grants and funding sources to support infrastructure improvements, i.e. community development Block grants, rural Development Administration and NC Rural Economic Development Center Fund; researches, writes and contracts for grants procurement and administration; lobbies and works with Department of Transportation for road and highway improvements and keeps abreast of long range transportation plan. · Maintains contact with state and regional industrial developers, community leaders, and representatives of businesses and industry. · Develops business retention program; visits each industry in the county regularly to stay abreast of their status, any potential for expansion, and assists with problems; follows up on requests. · Keeps current records on sites and buildings, and reports changes to the State industrial developers; keeps files and statistics on labor wages, demographics, economic base, maps, profiles, utilities, retail sales, building permits, finances and schools; reports on growth announcements and statistics on various agencies. · Supervises administrative staff; makes work assignments; provides guidance on workload; monitors and evaluates work; and may initiate disciplinary action; makes recommendations for final selection, salary increases and dismissal to the County Manager. · Prepares department budget recommendation; establishes yearly goals and objectives.

· Makes presentations to County Commissioners on infrastructure expansion to support new or expanding industry. · Coordinates efforts with a wide variety of local, regional and state groups such as Regional Partnership officials, NC Department of Commerce and others; serves as a liaison for various city, county, and state agencies and organizations. · Coordinates immigration, visa, and other issues for visiting staff and dignitaries for international companies. Additional Job Duties · May attend County Commissioner Meetings. · Performs related duties as required. Recruitment and Selection Guidelines Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities · Thorough knowledge of principles, practices and processes involved in economic development. · Thorough knowledge of the principles of management, business, their organizational procedures, and financing. · Considerable knowledge of economic, social, agricultural, and technological resources available in the economic development field. · Considerable knowledge of the assets of the community and federal, state, and local laws pertaining to economic development and planning. · Considerable knowledge of the local, regional, state and federal resources and agencies available to assist with various economic development activities. · Considerable knowledge of the application of information technology to the development of information and to the recruitment and retention of economic capital. · Considerable knowledge of marketing principles and practices. · Considerable knowledge of budgeting, grant procurement and administration, · Skills in data collection and analysis, and establishment of databases about pertinent County statistics and demographics. · Skill in developing promotional literature and web presence for the County. · Skill in website development. · Ability to plan, organize, and effectively develop industrial leads for the County including building consensus among diverse groups. · Ability to plan and coordinate development, community and elected officials support for farmers’ cooperative. · Ability to manage and expand an industrial park. · Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms. · Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with industry and business executives and owners or representatives, public officials at the local, state and federal levels, contractors, community leaders and organizations, other department heads, superiors and other employees. · Ability to analyze situations accurately and make correct recommendations for each industrial contact. Physical Requirements · Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions reaching, standing, walking, lifting, fingering, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. · Must be able to perform sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force frequently or constantly to move objects. · Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data, examine and work with maps, charts, and detailed materials, operate a computer, inspect sites, use measuring devices, to figure computations, and to read extensively. Desired Education and Experience

Graduation from a four year college or university with a degree in business, planning, economics, or related field supplemented by training in economic development and considerable professional experience in industrial or economic development; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements

· Valid State Driver’s License

Submit completed application, resume and cover letter to Caswell County Human Resources Department, Attn: Ashley Powell, PO Box 98 Yanceyville, NC 27379.

Email: [email protected]

Applications can be found on the Caswell County Official Website: http://www.caswellcountync.gov

Posted 8/5/2022-Until Filled

Last Reviewed: 8/5/2022

Caswell County Local Government