New job Economic Development Business Liaison in Idaho

Job Title: Economic Development Business Liaison
Department: Community Development
Reports To: Economic Development Administrator
Open Date: July 16, 2021
Close Date: Open Until Filled, First Review August 6, 2021
Hiring Salary: $4,383.99 - $5,601.25 per month, DOE
Salary Range: $4,383.99 - $6,575.07 per month, DOE

Job Summary:
Serves under the direction of the Economic Development Administrator (EDA). The primary responsibility of the EDBL is to assist businesses, large and small, in retaining and expanding their operations in the City; and growing and expanding the City’s economic base. Another focus of the EDBL is to market to potential businesses who meet Meridian’s strategic goals and attract to the City. This position must be able to work independently, strategically, and with great individual initiative. This position must be able to assist businesses through the City’s development processes with a heavy emphasis on the Planning and Zoning process. Qualified candidates must be able to think strategically, develop goals, set timelines and milestones, and meet deliverables. The position functions as the main contact person for the City’s small business needs, marketing needs, and stakeholder liaison for the City. This position will work closely with the Commercial Project Manager, especially in relation to significant commercial projects.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Engages with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies;

Negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues;

Responds to small business location, retention and expansion inquiries;

Serves as the City’s representative on a variety of boards and committees;

Attends and participates in professional group meetings; particularly small business, chamber of commerce, regional and state economic development organizations;

Conducts forums and surveys of the business community to assist in formulation of the City’s economic strategy;

Serves as business liaison by providing assistance and advice to Meridian businesses;

Provides site location information to businesses interested in locating in Meridian coordinating inquiries with local economic development professionals, chambers of commerce, other economic development organizations, and the state agencies;

Participates in the development of the economic development division’s annual budget;

Assists in the preparation of and implements a city-wide economic development marketing strategy;

Provides reports to the Director and EDA on a regular basis;

Provides technical advice and assistance to the EDA, Director, Council, and businesses in matters related to a wide variety of economic development activities and programs;

Assesses needs of businesses for retention/expansion in Meridian;

Serves as liaison between the City, emerging entrepreneurs, under-served business owners, and small business organizations;

Establishes a network of private and public contacts to market Meridian as a business expansion or relocation site;

Develops and utilizes economic development tools, such as industrial revenue bonding, tax increment financing, new market tax credits, and the plethora of state and local incentives to assist businesses in ways that provide a net benefit to the community;

Keeps abreast of information which may impact program goals and objectives, and initiates appropriate strategies and policy change recommendations;

Maintains a City-wide business database and annual business visitation schedule;

Seeks out new trends and innovations in the field of economic development;

Meets with developers, contractors, and business representatives to discuss new construction projects or plans for expansion;

Maintains a robust network of stakeholders and professionals that can assist in accomplishing the City’s Comprehensive and Strategic Plan initiatives as they relate to economic development;

Monitors progress of projects through on-site visits and frequent contact with business customers;

Responsible for the creation and production of marketing materials and social media content which detail economic development opportunities in Meridian;

Coordinates small business workshops and facilitates business needs broadly and individually for Meridian businesses;

Serves as a liaison to other public agencies and associations to generate prospects, build relationships, and raise awareness of recent Meridian City market developments;

Prepares various business reports and presents oral presentations to the public;

Ability to evaluate and recommend appropriate business site locations and expansions; providing technical economic development assistance to businesses, business organizations, and community groups; analyzing and implementing economic development marketing concepts;

May supervise interns and other employees;

Performs other duties as assigned or needed by the EDA.

Job Specifications:
College – Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree required with a preferred major in business, marketing, finance, and economics, pre-law or equivalent;

Highly preferred that this person has worked a minimum of three (3) years either working in a professional level position in the private sector; owned or managed own company; management level experience with a governmental entity performing related recruitment and retention of business interests;

Experience working in a professional capacity with federal, state, or local economic development/assistance programs;

Strong knowledge of financial management, economic development, business assistance and marketing concepts; state and local economic development practices.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Must have excellent communication skills;

Must have especially strong professional writing skills for writing reports, and other communication;

Must have exceptional organizational skills and the ability to effectively establish priorities and complete multiple, competing and time-dependent projects with superior attention to detail;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Department personnel, city officials and the general public;

Ability to communicate, meet and deal with the public and co-workers with respect in a pleasant, professional, and courteous manner;

Integrity in the performance of assigned tasks;

Must be able to provide exceptional customer service and outstanding professionalism;

Must be willing to work in a fast-paced and demanding environment and display an attitude of cooperation with the ability to work professionally and effectively with others;

Must be tactful, discrete, and diplomatic as well as be assertive, resilient, have problem solving ability;

Must have demonstrated excellent oral and written marketing skills to communicate effectively with customers, vendors, and the public in face-to-face meetings, one-on-one settings, and in groups.

Licensing:
Must hold a valid State of Idaho Driver’s License and safe driving record.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:
Work is usually performed in coordination with business customers at their businesses or remotely;

Constantly requires sitting at a desk or computer terminal for long periods of time and ability to lift up to 15 lbs.;

Constantly requires clarity of speech and hearing, which permits the employee to communicate effectively with the public and other department members;

Constantly requires clear vision to read printed materials and computer screen to accomplish work.

Travel Requirements:
Travel is occasionally required.

Job Type: Full-time