MAIN STREET AND TOURISM MANAGER

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE JOB:

Responsible for the planning, execution, and documentation of a comprehensive Main Street program within the communitys policies and guidelines for historic preservation and economic development. Coordinates all project activities locally, but is also part of a state and national network of professionals working to find ways to revitalize central business districts and share techniques, methodology, and information with other communities. Coordinates all activities, programs, and schedules of the volunteers for the Main Street Program and any other responsibilities deemed appropriate.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

• Reports to City Manager or designee.
• Works directly with city department heads and city staff.
• Has contact with members of associated boards and commissions, volunteers, property and business owners, consultants, media, and the general public.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: This is a description of the way this job is currently performed; there is potential for accommodation.

• Develops working relationships with all persons directly or indirectly involved in the downtown area; designs and develops action plans and strategies for implementing main street programs utilizing a full range of the communitys human and economic resources
• Orients public officials, retailers, community groups, the general public, etc., with the nature and objectives of this effort
• Develops and conducts an on-going public awareness and educational program designed to enhance appreciation of downtowns assets and the importance of its historic fabric. Through speaking engagements, radio, television appearance and newspaper interviews, keeps the program constantly in the public eye
• Assists individual tenants or property owners with physical improvement projects such as faade rehabilitation, through consultations with the Main Street architects, or by obtaining and supervising other professional design consultants
• Develops a fixed term action plan for implementing a downtown revitalization program focused on these four areas: organization, promotion, design, and economic vitality
• Provides advice and information on successful downtown management
• Encourages a cooperative climate between downtown interest and local public officials, one of the goals being improvement of municipal services to the project area
• Provides liaison with all historic preservation and tourist development organizations, including, but not limited to, the Texas Downtown Association, the Texas Main Street Program of the Texas Historical Commission and the National Main Street Center
• Advises downtown merchants and assists in the coordination of joint promotional events, such as seasonal festivals, sidewalk sales, etc., with the goal of improving the quality and excitement of events to attract people downtown
• Works with the Texas Main Street program at the Texas Historical Commission in preparing the action plan, obtaining advice and technical assistance on all aspects of the program, and generating funding for it
• Completes and submits monthly reports and reinvestment figures to the City Manager and State Main Street office
• Assembles and maintains essential performance data as they relate to the downtown area in relation to the City of Taylor, The Williamson County, and the State of Texas
• Represents the Taylor Main Street Program at various appropriate conferences, workshops and seminars
• Develops economic strategies to increase business opportunities in the downtown, attracting new users into existing facilities and expanding market opportunities
• Work with existing businesses in the Taylor Downtown area to assist with their retention and expansion efforts
• Prepares and maintains a milestone record of projects through photographs (before and after) and/or slides, files on the building, business recruitment, promotions, monthly reports, etc.
• Recruits new volunteers through various opportunities throughout the year
• Provides quality customer service to city staff, the general public, and all other work contacts
• Performs such other related duties as may be assigned

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Concepts and issues involved with community revitalization and historic preservation from the various points of view such as merchants, public agencies, property owners and community organizations
• Real estate, tourism, and travel industry practices and trends, as well as the marketing/media industry.
• Grant writing
• Word processing software

Ability to:

• Operate a computer;
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing,
• Maintain appropriate necessary certifications,
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Analyze situations and adopt a quick, effective, and reasonable course of action.
• Read and comprehend industry journals, magazines, and newsletters, writes reports and memos, policy papers, press communications, and program evaluations,
• Perform mathematical calculations;
• Analyze and interpret data;
• Interprets policies and procedures;
• Exercises tact and diplomacy when dealing with vendors, property and business owners, and the general public

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

• Bachelors degree from an accredited University or four year college in public administration, architecture, planning, economic development, marketing, journalism, or related field.
• Five years experience working closely with volunteers, volunteer organizations, social service agencies, and local service clubs, in a Main Street program, as an economic development professional, or in the marketing/promotions/communications profession.
• Or any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

CERTIFICATES/LICENSES REQUIRED:

• State of Texas Class C Drivers license.