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City of Fairfield, CA

Economic Development Manager

City of Fairfield, CA, Fairfield, CA, United States


Salary : $136,593.60 - $166,025.60 Annually

Location : Fairfield, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 2024-00080

Department: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Opening Date: 11/19/2024

FLSA: Exempt

Bargaining Unit: FGMA

Description

The City of Fairfield is searching for an Economic Development Manager within the Community Development Department! Click here to view the job brochure.

This is an open and continuous recruitment and may close at any time, without notice. Please apply for immediate consideration. In-person panel interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of January 20th.

Fairfield, California is part of the San Francisco Bay Area's North Bay region and is located between San Francisco, Oakland, and Sacramento. Fairfield is the Solano County seat and home to Travis Air Force Base, which serves as the main military airlift hub in the western United States. The City is proud of its "manufacturing prowess" which includes Anhauser-Busch, Jelly Belly, Ball Metals, Calbee, and Clorox. Residents of Fairfield have access to multiple commercial retail centers, award-winning golf courses, AMTRAK Capital Corridor rail service, Suisun Valley's burgeoning viticulture industry, and all of the recreational & cultural opportunities that come with living in Northern California.

Fairfield's next Economic Development Manager will coordinate the day to day work of the City's economic development team located in the Department of Community Development and report to the Director of Community and Economic Development. Candidates who exemplify passion for the public sector and economic development, thrive in and enhance a team environment, and look for ways to innovate and creatively solve problems will excel in this position.

This position is represented by Fairfield General Management Association (FGMA) and receives an excellent benefits package, including:
  • CalPERS pension (Classic 2.5% @ 55 OR 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS member)
  • Generous contributions to medical, dental, and vision plans
    • 3 medical carriers to choose from: Kaiser, Sutter Health or Western Health
  • 144.86 hours of personal leave (cashable) annually, plus vacation and sick leave
  • City paid retirement health savings contributions and life insurance
  • 10.40% City paid deferred comp contribution (mandatory employee contribution is 4.10%)
  • A 9/80 work schedule with the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month off
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CITY USES AN ELECTRONIC REFERENCE CHECK PROCESS. REFER TO THE "REFERENCE CHECKS" SECTION AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS JOB POSTING FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION.
ABOUT THE POSITIONUnder general direction from the Director of Community and Economic Development, the Economic Development Manager will develop, oversee, coordinate, and/or implement a broad-based economic development strategy including but not limited to marketing, recruitment, retention, and public information elements correlated to the City's economic development goals; serve as liaison between the City and stakeholders in the economic development ecosystem; provide assistance to high priority private development projects; represent the City with professionalism and enthusiasm; provide professional support and act as a thought partner to the Director of Community and Economic Development and City staff. This position assumes management and supervisory duties for Economic Development staff.
Minimum Qualifications

Experience:
Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in the area of economic development, redevelopment, marketing, real estate or a closely related field, including at least 1 year of supervisory experience is required.

Education:
Completion of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public or business administration, planning, economics, marketing, or a related field is required.

LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATE
Possession of a valid California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record are required as a condition of initial and continued employment.
Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Develop and/or implement economic development strategies and workplans that grow the City's existing industry and business base; attract new business to the City; engage partners and stakeholders in the economic development ecosystem, and support the work activities of other City colleagues and departments.
  • Lead other City economic development staff and economic development work groups in collaboration with the Director of Community and Economic Development. Support the professional development of City economic development staff; coordinate and delegate activities from the economic development program of work with City economic development staff.
  • Coordinate the implementation of the economic development elements of City comprehensive and unique area plans (example - Heart of Fairfield); evaluate needs and recommend economic development project areas that encourage a healthy and stable business environment and strong City revenue base. Ensure that plans and strategies conform to short and long-range City programs, resources, goals and objectives.
  • Develop and implement strategies to stimulate the retention and expansion of existing industry and business in Fairfield. Establish and maintain relationships with the existing business community; assist with conflict resolution. Develop and support strategies to encourage entrepreneurship and business creation within the City.
  • Prepare marketing materials, messaging calendars, and events while collaborating with the City's Marketing and Outreach team on media engagement, promotional materials, and social media. Represent the City in a wide variety of meetings with representatives of business and community organizations, governmental agencies, and the general public. Provide written and oral presentations to a wide array of audiences.
  • Exercise discretion when speaking about potential projects, build trust and confidence through interactions with key stakeholders, and represent the City of Fairfield in all forums with enthusiasm and professionalism.
  • Provide real estate transaction management, perform lease negotiations, ensure lease term compliance, and related City real estate needs such as real property transactions of all types including sales, appraisals and related activities for raw land or developed properties.
  • Create, recommend and implement goals, objectives, policies and programs which maintain and enhance the City's overall economic health and revenue stream. Assist the City Manager, Director of Community and Economic Development, City Council, commissions, and City staff in matters related to economic development activities and programs.
  • Conduct research, gather and analyze data regarding demographics, market and economic trends, vacant land, opportunities, issues, barriers, and needs. Monitor and forecast fiscal and economic activities, and related legislation. Conduct feasibility studies and financial analysis.
  • Work closely with a variety of City staff regarding the development and administration of financial and other business incentive and retention programs. Negotiate agreements with property owners related to real estate acquisition and development issues.
  • Maintain and track inventory of all available commercial and industrial sites and vacant land viable for development.
Knowledge & Abilities

Knowledge of:
  • Principles and practices of marketing, public information, public relations, and media.
  • The functions and administration of municipal government.
  • Applicable federal, state, and local laws relating to economic development.
  • Principles, practices and trends in economic development, urban planning, real estate development, private and public financing.
  • Statistics and research methods.
  • Principles and practices of supervision.
Ability to:
  • Plan, organize, and promote economic development program activities and events.
  • Develop project financing and incentive packages based on available resources and federal, state, and local economic and workforce development programs
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Prepare clear, concise and comprehensive reports and publications to help market the City.
  • Make persuasive oral presentations to a wide variety of targeted outreach groups.
  • Understand and apply federal, state, and local ordinances, regulations, policies and procedures regarding the development process.
  • Analyze, interpret and explain complex technical and numerical information.
  • Evaluate situations quickly and objectively, determine proper courses of action.
  • Plan, direct and evaluate the work of subordinate staff.
  • Take appropriate risks.
  • Mediate conflicts and negotiate agreements.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.


THE SELECTION PROCESS:
Based on the information provided in the application documents, the best-qualified applicants will be invited for further examination. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the examination may consist of an application screening, written and/or practical exam, oral interview, or any combination.

HOW TO APPLY:
Candidates must submit an online application via NeoGov/Governmentjobs.com. If you have any difficulties submitting your online application, please call NeoGov'sApplicant Support Line at (855) 524-5627.

Mac users please note: To ensure compatibility, please use Google Chrome and ensure iOS settings are up-to-date.

If you feel you will need a reasonable accommodation for any portion of the testing/interview process, please contact Human Resources at (707) 428-7394 at least 1 week prior to the application deadline or examination date.

REFERENCE CHECKS:
The City utilizes an electronic reference check process. Please note that if you include your current supervisor under the "References" section of your application, they may be contacted at any point in the recruitment process without prior notification to you, even if you have marked "do not contact employer" in the Work Experience Section.

When listing references, please identify persons who can assess your professional qualifications in the context of the workplace. Examples include former colleagues/supervisors, mentors, etc.

If you have limited or no work experience, you may identify personal references familiar with your qualifications that would be transferrable in the workplace. Examples include teachers, volunteer coordinators, mentors, etc.

The City of Fairfield is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and professionalism.

The City of Fairfield offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes City contribution toward the Public Employees' Retirement System and deferred savings; medical, dental and vision; life insurance; paid holidays, vacation, personal leave and sick leave.

For a more detailed overview of our benefit package, please click on the following link

01

I understand that my responses to the following supplemental questions will be used by the City of Fairfield to assess my application and determine advancement in the recruitment process.NOTE: We encourage applicants to provided detailed and thoughtful answers, as responses to the supplemental questions are reviewed during the initial screening process. Responses such as "see application" or "refer to resume" will not be accepted as this does not adequately answer the specific question or demonstrate your qualifications.
  • Yes, I understand.


02

Please share one or two specific examples of economic development initiatives you have led. Please be specific about your leadership role, the intent and outcome of the initiative(s), and what you are proudest of regarding your involvement, and limit your response to approximately 500 words or less.

03

What is your level of experience with business attraction? Please provide specific descriptions of your involvement in attracting new businesses to a jurisdiction, and limit your response to approximately 500 words or less.

04

Please provide 1-3 examples of how you have provided direction, mentorship, and/or constructive feedback as a supervisor, including the outcome(s) of your actions. Please limit your response to approximately 500 words or less.

05

As a supervisor, what are the three (3) behaviors your believe are most important for you to model for your colleagues and those you supervise? Please provide your reasoning for why each is important to you, and limit your response to approximately 500 words or less.

Required Question