Rev. 6/97
City
of San José
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (1992)
CLASS
PURPOSE
Under direction, performs work of considerable
difficulty planning and coordinating assistance to and incentives for small
businesses, industry, and employment training activities. Performs professional
analytic work in planning and coordinating research and analysis on the latest
industrial market trends and provides information services on the San Jose
economy. Performs related work as required.
TYPICAL
DUTIES AND RESULTS (Any one position
may not include all the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties
which may be performed.)
- Administers
a program of business and industry assistance and incentives, including
outreach, referrals, marketing, tracking, reporting, and location
assistance.
- Conducts
economic research and analysis related to small business and
education/training issues, and on topics concerning San Jose’s economy.
- Makes
presentations to business and community groups on the San Jose small
business market and economy.
- Provides
staff support to the Small Business and Employment Affairs Committee of the
Economic Development Board.
- Acts
as primary City liaison for selected small business and employment training
programs and services, such as the Enterprise Zone Resource Center, Working
Group on Employment and Training, Private Industry Council, and Community
Development Block Grant review team.
- Represents
the Office of Economic Development at meetings and events related to small
business and employment.
- Acts
as primary liaison to other City departments, Redevelopment Agency, County
offices, regional entities, and State and Federal agencies on matters
relating to small business, education/training, and economic data and
trends.
- Negotiates
and monitors contracts for services to the small business community and for
research.
- Collects
key market indicator data and tracks economic trends. Data collected on
effect of transportation improvements, retail markets, and trends in the
labor market/employment, real estate, international development, industrial
structure, and population demographics.
- Prepares
quarterly economic update and market profile publications and prepares
economic and demographic information for other publications and/or reports.
- Develops
and maintains a comprehensive economic database on the San Jose area.
- Responds
to inquiries on economic data, trends, and resources.
- Acts
as project coordinator for the City's Foreign Trade Zone.
- Coordinates
preparation/implementation of special projects; writes reports.
- Develops
and implements business retention, expansion, and conversion strategies.
- Assists
corporate human resources offices with San Jose profile materials to improve
recruitment efforts.
Typical
End Results
- Improved
economic vitality of businesses in San Jose.
- Businesses
provided with Enterprise Zone information on tax credits; sales leads; and
business assistance, incentive and loan programs.
- Identification
of small and startup businesses with the potential for expansion and
provision of management, financial, and employee referral services.
- Input
into training programs and funding regarding the unemployed, including
workers displaced due to plant closings.
- Coordination
of service programs provided by the Office of Economic Development, City
departments, and community based organizations.
- Research
in areas of concern to Office of Economic development, such as plant closing
policy, marketing strategies, employment and training programs, and business
assistance and incentive programs.
- Timely,
comprehensive, and accurate research and information services on the San
Jose economy provided in order to identify economic opportunities, inform
decision makers, support programs/projects, and provide customized responses
to inquiries.
- Provision
of quarterly analysis of trends and key issues in the high technology
electronics market and their specific impact on the City of San Jose.
- Activities
implemented to support continued viability of San Jose businesses through
retention, expansion, conversion, and recruitment assistance.
DISTINGUISHING
CHARACTERISTICS
An incumbent of this class may act as primary
City liaison providing coordination and comprehensive services to the small
business community and employment training programs/services or may coordinate
and manage multiple research projects of varying size and scope on topics
concerning the San Jose economy, including contract research projects. This
class differs from the class of Development Officer in that incumbents of the
latter class perform development and redevelopment service activities for the
City, working closely with developers on specific projects. This class differs
from the general Analyst series in that it is
a technical specialist in economic development services and research. This
position is directly responsible to the Assistant Director of Economic
Development.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge
of principles and practices of economic and community development.
- Knowledge
of principles and practices of small business management.
- Knowledge
of approaches for linking employment training and economic development
programs.
- Knowledge
of basic economic research and analysis principles, practices, and
techniques.
- Knowledge
of principles and practices of project management.
- Knowledge
of local, state, national and international economic trends.
- Knowledge
of local resources, organizations, and institutions in the economic
development field.
- Knowledge
of data base management, statistical programming, spreadsheets, and word
processing computer skills.
- Knowledge
of interviewing and surveying techniques.
- Ability
to express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, and to
edit written material.
- Ability
to speak effectively to large and small audiences.
- Ability
to coordinate projects with interdisciplinary staff.
- Ability
to collect, organize, analyze, and interpret data.
- Ability
to write clear, concise reports.
- Ability
to work effectively with diverse cultures.
- Ability
to interact effectively with the public, government staff, business
representatives, and contract personnel.
Competency Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge
of contract writing, negotiation techniques, and liability requirements.
- Knowledge
of municipal organizational structure, functions, and management processes.
- Knowledge
of financial mechanics for loans and bonds, and cash flow analysis.
- Knowledge
of municipal codes and regulations covering business licenses, bond
redemptions, and related activities.
- Knowledge
of public contact skills, staff support, and group process skills.
Education
Completion of a Baccalaureate degree from an
accredited college or university in Urban Planning, Economics, Business
Administration or a closely related field.
Experience
Four years of increasingly responsible experience
in economic or community development or a closely related field in an urban area
or setting.
Acceptable Substitutions
None.
(4/91),
(Rev 0/91), (Rev. 6/97)
1992s001.doc