2425-037 Economic Development Director

For complete information and job description, click here > Economic Development Director 2025

JOB SUMMARY: Under administrative direction from the City Manager, coordinates economic development programs for the city; performs a variety of routine and complex administrative, technical, and professional work in the preparation and implementation of economic development plans and programs related to business expansion and retention.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Develops short and long-range economic development plans; interprets and prepares data for studies, reports, and recommendations; coordinates activities with other city departments heads, agencies, and other domestic and foreign government entities to negotiate establishment or programs and to help or gather information.
• Plan, organize, implement, direct and review overall economic development programs including industry recruitment and development of foreign free trade zone operation benchmarks.
• Regularly reports directly and provides updated information on economic development issues, programs, services, and any other pending expansions or relocations to the supervisor and the city manager.
• Prepares periodic status reports on the economy and its impact in the community.
• Serves as a liaison between the local government and the chamber of commerce, merchants’ associations, economic development districts, redevelopment agencies, port authorities and other public, private, or nonprofit groups and associations interested in economic development.
• Develops and maintains a comprehensive inventory of available buildings and sites in the community for economic development purposes.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with local business owners.
• Maintains inventory of current operating businesses.
• Maintains information on utilities, taxes, zoning, transportation, community services, financing tools, etc.; Prepares and responds to company proposals and clients’ requests for specific economic statistics, work force demographics, business sector and community characteristics, incentive programs, and other information requested.
• Assist new and existing businesses to expand in or relocate to Del Rio and facilitate capital investment to increase the City’s tax base.
• May do initial negotiating on the City’s behalf as directed by City administration.
• Represents the City in a professional manner. Interacts with various developers, real estate agents, financial institutions, private sector, governmental entities, and others to provide accurate information about economic development initiatives.
• Prepares, writes, and administers grant applications related to economic development.
• Attends professional development workshops and conferences to keep abreast of trends and developments in the field of municipal planning.
• Assists other staff members as needed.
• Monitors local, state, and Federal legislation and regulations relating to economic development, develops short and long-range economic development plans; interprets and prepares data for studies, reports, and recommendations; coordinates activities with other city departments heads, agencies, and other domestic and foreign government entities to negotiate establishment or programs and to help or gather information.
• Plan, organize, implement, direct and review overall economic development programs including industry recruitment and development of foreign free trade zone operation benchmarks.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Planning, Finance, or a related field, highly desired.
• A proven track record in economic development is required with minimum five (5) years related experience.
• Master’s degree may substitute for two (2) years experienced.
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) accreditation.
• Valid Texas Drivers’ License Class C required.

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive municipal economic development program.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Methods and techniques of statistical data collection and analysis.
• Principles and practices of negotiation of sensitive issues related to economic development.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Principles and procedures of financial reporting.
• Principles and procedures of management systems and reporting.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.
• Principles and procedures for developing goals, objectives and management plans.

Skills:

• Possesses strong analytical, organizational, and negotiating skills.
• Able to operate all office equipment.
• Present good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to cope with stressful situations.
• Inclined to accuracy, efficiency and courtesy toward the public and other city employees

Ability to:

• Manage and direct a comprehensive municipal economic development program.
• Develop and administer goals, objectives and procedures.
• Analyze and assess programs, policies and operational needs and make appropriate adjustments.
• Analyze data and information; draw conclusions; propose responsive actions.
• Identify and respond to sensitive community and organizational issues, concerns and needs.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
• Interpret and apply applicable Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Operate a computer, applicable software and other office equipment.
• Develop graphic presentations.
• Maintain confidentiality of certain information.
• Negotiate with business entities on behalf of the city.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Operate vehicle to travel to various meetings and events in the city.
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include the following:
• Walking or standing or sitting for extended periods of time
• Operating assigned equipment
• Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:
• Making observations
• Communicating with others
• Reading and writing
• Operating assigned equipment and vehicles

Other conditions of employment:

• May require extended evening and/or weekend hours.
• RESIDENCY WITHIN THE CITY OF DEL RIO CITY LIMITS IS CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THIS POSITION AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY THE DATE OF EMPLOYMENT.