Deputy Director Economic Development

Nature of Work

Plans, coordinates, monitors, and assists in directing and implementing department functions, programs, activities, and initiatives to meet operational goals and strategic objectives.

FIRST CONSIDERATION MAY BE GIVEN TO CURRENT CITY OF LAS CRUCES EMPLOYEES WHO MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.

Meeting or exceeding the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.

Full-Time; Regular; Exempt

This position is a grade AD26.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides appropriate administrative direction to assigned staff and functions to ensure the effective allocation of available resources, and coordination of functions, programs, and strategies to meet established objectives.
• Provides professional level assistance in the creation of departmental strategies, research, and implementation efforts to attract, develop, retain, and grow business, industry, and tourism in the City of Las Cruces.
• Meets regularly with staff to review work in progress, discuss and resolve administrative, workload, and technical issues, and prioritize and assign tasks and projects; evaluates and analyzes functions, resources, processes, and procedures to identify issues and recommend changes for improvement; interprets applicable rules and regulations to provide guidance in developing, implementing, and administering policies and procedures.
• Manages staff through proper delegation and work supervision to provide appropriate levels of service and resources; coordinates and manages various projects, monitors work, evaluates performance, trains, counsels, coaches, and instructs employees to meet established goals and objectives; ensures staff adhere to established policies and procedures to remain compliant with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Coordinates efforts and information with various City departments to identify, attract, retain, and assist business and industry; demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality and seamless customer service in all aspects and functions of the Department.
• Assists, oversees, and facilitates activities related to business recruitment and development to attract, create, and retain area jobs; reviews, monitors, tracks, and directs the distribution of information and assistance provided to the business community, organizations, and individuals to promote and market the City of Las Cruces as a favorable environment in which to establish and build industries and businesses.
• Manages and monitors financial activities of assigned budgets and oversees procurement activities to assure compliance with established policies, procedures, and processes; assures appropriate allocation of available resources; manages the collection, analysis, and presentation of project, operational, and financial data; administers and manages grants and related processes and prepares and presents proposals and various special and recurring reports and documents to provide timely and accurate information.
• Prepares and presents various incentives and agreements; exercises independent judgment within general policy guidelines to meet established goals, objectives, and directives; reviews and recommends project plans, reports, and procedures; sets project priorities to assure deadlines and performance standards are met.
• Provides research and analysis and responds to inquiries and requests from stakeholders, staff, and the public; develops and prepares marketing materials and packets to include community, economic, statistical, financial, demographic, and other site-specific information for dissemination.
• Participates in meetings with City Council, regional government organizations, community groups, and State and Federal agencies to ensure accurate and consistent communication of information; conducts public meetings and coordinates discussions on Economic Development strategies and issues.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Urban or Regional Planning, Marketing, Economic Development, Business or Public Administration, Economics, or related field AND five (5) years of professional level experience in economic development, marketing, research, business development, commercial real estate/development, urban planning, community development and/or redevelopment. Two (2) years of qualifying experience must include supervision of staff. A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy.

Licenses/Certification(s)
Valid driver’s license may be required or preferred. If applicable, position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City of Las Cruces policies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable Knowledge of: principles, practices, techniques, activities, and regulations related to the operations and functions of the services provided; available programs, funding, and incentives to attract, retain, and develop businesses and industries; principles and practices of urban planning, land development, marketing, sustainability, public relations, and administrative management including project planning, personnel management, recordkeeping, records management, budgeting, grant management, strategic planning, and effective employee supervision, training, and development; legal, ethical, and professional rules of conduct; principles and practices of effective customer service and problem resolution techniques; occupational and environmental safety and health hazards, and safety practices; business and personal computers and applicable software applications; City organization, operations, policies and procedures to effectively perform the required functions and duties of the position.
Ability to: perform a variety of duties and responsibilities timely and with accuracy to meet deadlines and to ensure achievement of goals and objectives; read, understand, interpret, and ensure compliance with a variety of policies, procedures, rules, and regulations governing related activities, programs, and functions; communicate appropriately and effectively orally and in writing; use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines to successfully meet established goals and objectives; prepare and present various special and recurring reports, forms, and documents to provide accurate and reliable information containing findings and recommendations; review documents and extract relevant information; firmly and impartially supervise, coach, lead and direct the activities of staff; establish and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public to appropriately address, resolve, prevent, or minimize issues and items of concern.
Skills in: analyzing trends and issues, evaluating alternatives, and making logical recommendations based on findings to address issues and/or make recommendations to improve programs, policies, processes, procedures, and methods; effectively managing and leading staff and delegating tasks; reading, interpreting, and communicating policies, regulations, and information; reviewing, preparing, evaluating, and verifying relevant records, reports, calculations, documentation, and presentations; using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines; maintaining complete and accurate records; operating a personal computer with installed generic and specialized software; assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects, and demands to ensure achievement of goals and objectives.

To view a summary of benefits offered by the City of Las Cruces,